Does it hurt?
Tattoos tend to be more uncomfortable than most other procedures. Therefore we offer topical anesthetic creams to patients who feel the pain will be too much for them. In addition, a local anesthetic can be injected into the area by the doctor if the topical does not provide enough comfort. However, most patients find the procedure to quick and do not require more than the anesthetic cream.

What will the area look like after the treatment?
The skin will be swollen and whitish colored roughly up to 30 minutes after the treatment at which point the whitish color will subside leaving a red and raw area in its place. Some sloughing of the skin can occur and is considered normal for the treatment. In some cases some pinpoint bleeding can occur and is covered with antibiotic ointment and a bandage. After a few days a scab will form over the area and should be allowed to progress and fall off on its own. Once this occurs we are able to treat the area again.

How long does it take?
In most cases multiple treatments are required to eliminate tattoos. Size, coloring, and location all affect how many treatments are required to cause sufficient fading. Keep in mind that the laser does not actually remove the tattoo it merely breaks it down into smaller particles that your body removes and breaks down completely. More importantly, the tattoo will continue to fade even a series of treatments is completed.

What will my tattoo look like when it is done?
In some cases complete elimination of the tattoo is possible. However, it is important to note that not every case will have 100% elimination. Typically what remains is a "ghosting" of the tattoo. This is simply a slight discoloration or texture change of the skin where the tattoo used to be, it is unnoticeable to most people.