Thousands of people decide to remove their tattoos each year because the designs are no longer relevant to their lifestyle. Although a tattoo looks like a simple painting on the skin, it’s actually a series of ink deposits placed deep into the skin that are designed to last forever. Lasers are the most effective solution for complete tattoo removal.
Dr. Green uses a combined approach to maximize tattoo removal. By using both the Candela TriVantage® laser and Hoya ConBio C-3 tattoo laser, she is able to remove a greater amount of pigment than by using a single machine on its own. The result in many cases is near complete removal of the tattoo.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us online today or call 212-535-3088 if you’re ready to learn more about treating an unwanted tattoo. Dr. Michele S. Green, a board certified NYC dermatologist, practices the latest techniques at the forefront of skin care to give you the results that you deserve.
The Science of Tattoos
To create a tattoo, an electric machine drives a tiny needle repeatedly into the skin to deliver insoluble ink of various colors to the dermis, the deeper layer of skin. The placement of the ink is what makes tattoos a permanent fixture of the body, as they lie too deeply to slough off with the outer layers of surface skin, or epidermis.
Despite the growing popularity of elaborate tattoos, it’s estimated that approximately one-fifth of people with tattoos have regrets about getting them in the first place. Before the process of laser tattoo removal was pioneered, the only options for removal were dermabrasion, cryosurgery or surgical excision. These approaches are painful, and carry a higher risk of scarring and infection than the modern approach of using lasers instead.
Image of current patient treatment, this picture is 4 treatments in.
*Disclaimer: Results may vary with each patient.
How Laser Tattoo Removal Helps
Lasers are the safest and most effect way to remove tattoos, and a combination of multiple lasers is required to fully address the different pigments for the best results. Bright, multicolor tattoos are the most difficult to remove, and often require several sessions. Dr. Green uses the newest technology available by offering the Candela TriVantage® laser, which uses laser-pumped-laser technology for superior removal of green, blue and black inks and more flexibility for treating multicolored tattoos. She then combines this with the Hoya ConBio C-3 laser for more comprehensive treatment of the tattoo.
Dr. Green uses these lasers to safely penetrate the skin and target the tattoo at its core. The tattoo ink absorbs the laser energy, which in turn breaks down the tattoo ink into microparticles that are eventually eliminated through the body’s natural processes. Because the laser delivers the energy so precisely, Dr. Green can trace the design without damaging the surrounding skin.
Patients say the experience feels similar to the tattoo application itself, like the snap of a rubber band followed by a feeling of warmth. Dr. Green may cool the skin first with ice or cold air to help you feel more comfortable. After the first few treatments, you’ll notice a temporary whitening of the treated area. Over time, the tattoo fades and the skin returns to normal color.
Tattoo removal takes much longer than getting a tattoo. Most patients need at least six treatment sessions, depending on the number of colors, the size of the design and the type of ink. Black tattoos are easier to remove than multi-colored designs, but all tattoos must be treated with the proper laser.
If you’re unhappy with the appearance of an old, outdated or unwanted tattoo, laser tattoo removal can help. Find out more and contact Dr. Green via this form below, or call our NYC based location at 212-535-3088 to learn more about whether laser tattoo removal may be right for you.
View additional FAQs about Laser Tattoo Removal
Tattoo removal can be very challenging. Read More on CBS News about how Dr. Michele S. Green can achieve amazing results with her laser tattoo removal treatment method.