Tattoo removal used to produce mediocre results at best, and in the worse case, unsightly scarring. But you don’t need to worry about the results when you choose laser tattoo removal by James W. Goodnight, MD, at Dr. Goodnight’s Everlasting Beauty in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
Dr. Goodnight uses today’s most advanced laser to safely shatter tattoo ink and completely eliminate tattoos that would never disappear with other methods. Read on to learn how easy it is to remove your tattoo.
Differences between tattoos affect removal
There’s a reason why many people who get their tattoo removed aren’t satisfied with the results. All tattoos are hard to eliminate, and some are more difficult than others. Tattoo removal is a challenge for several reasons.
Some ink colors are more difficult to remove than others. The type of color in your tattoo, as well as the number of different colors, impact the process.
The age of the tattoo has an impact, as does its size. Additionally, the quality of the tattoo affects the removal process. Tattoos inked by an amateur are more superficial and easy to get rid of. By comparison, professionals inject the layers of pigments deeper into the skin.
How lasers eliminate tattoos
Lasers eliminate tattoos using light energy to break apart the ink particles. The treatment is safe because the laser operates on a wavelength that’s only absorbed by the colors in the tattoo pigments. As a result, the laser passes safely through your skin and doesn’t harm anything other than the tattoo.
As the ink pigments absorb light energy, they break down. Then your body’s immune system goes to work. As your immune system clears away the debris, your tattoo disappears.
Though all lasers operate on the same principle, they’re not all equally successful. That’s why we use the PiQo4 laser by Lumenis®.
Advantages of the PiQo4 laser
The quality of your results depends on the wavelength used and the laser’s pulse speed. Many lasers use a single wavelength and pulse, which doesn’t produce the best results when dealing with the multiple colors and all other variable qualities in tattoos.
The PiQo4 laser by Lumenis® solves the problem and produces remarkable by providing:
Four wavelengths
The varying colors in a tattoo absorb different wavelengths. The PiQo4 laser comes equipped with four wavelengths that eliminate the spectrum of light, from light orange to black.
Two pulse speeds
The ink particles that make up a tattoo exist in different sizes. As it turns out, large particles break down better with long pulse durations, and small particles do better with a short pulse.
The PiQo4 is built with nanosecond and picosecond pulses. We treat your tattoo with the nanosecond pulse to eliminate large particles, then go over the tattoo a second time to take care of smaller portions.
High energy and a deep reach
The high energy supplied by the PiQo4 means that your tattoo particles don’t just break down; they shatter into tiny particles that are easier for your body to clear away.
The PiQo4 also allows us to treat a larger area and reach deeper below the surface. That means your tattoo is gone with fewer sessions.
What to expect during tattoo removal sessions
Though the PiQo4 makes tattoo removal as easy as possible, you will need 2-10 sessions, depending on the complexity of your tattoo. After we evaluate your tattoo, we can give you a more precise treatment schedule so you know what to expect.
During your session, you feel the heat of the laser and hear popping sounds. Most people say the laser pulses resemble the snap of a rubber band. Everyone tolerates different levels of pain, so we can apply a numbing cream when needed to ensure your comfort.
After each session, the treated area may look crusted, and the skin around the area may resemble a sunburn. However, these side effects don’t last long. We schedule your sessions 6-8 weeks apart. During that time, the treated areas of the tattoo gradually fade away.
If you’re ready for tattoo removal, call Dr. Goodnight’s Everlasting Beauty or book an appointment online today.