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Understanding Laser Tattoo Removal

Understanding Laser Tattoo Removal

Laser Tattoo Removal ā€“ What You Should Know

So, you covered your body with an amazing tattoo? Possibly, your exā€™s name? Now you want to remove it. Donā€™t worry, tattoo removal is now available with laser technology. It may be time to erase the past and move on; what seemed like a great idea at the time, is no longer great.

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Did you know that as many as 25 percent of those with ink regret their tattoos? Artwork on the face, hands, or neck may no longer fit your lifestyle or remind you of a time you would rather forget. If you live in the DFW, Texas area, we have the answer for you.

Pigments of reds, blues, greens, and black inks are broken up with a high-intensity beam of light. Black is the easiest color to treat since it absorbs all laser wavelengths, but all colors can be treated.

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Different types of lasers may be used, such as the PicoWay by Candela or the Candela Alex TriVantage. The advantage of the Pico is that it can remove the colors in a shorter amount of time, possibly four to six months.

How Long Will Treatments Last?

The number of treatments will depend on the age, size, and color(s) of the ink. It will also be influenced by your skin color and the depth of the tattoo. Since all tattoos are different, the only way to predict this is with a consultation from a trained professional.

What to Expect

After a consultation, your first treatment will begin. It will include the following in this session:

  • You will get protective eye shields
  • Your skin will be tested to determine the best energy for the treatment
  • A technician will then pulse light through the top layer of skin, that will break up the pigments

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The larger the inked area, the more pulses will be required to remove them. To completely get rid of the ink, it will take several treatments. You will notice the colors becoming progressively lighter after each visit.

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There is some discomfort, but most people do not need anesthesia. An ice pack can soothe the treated area when you get home. An antibiotic cream and bandage for protection can help with healing. Avoid the sun or use sunblock after a treatment.

Insurance, Etc.

Removal of tattoos is considered cosmetic and a personal option; for this reason, most insurance will not cover the procedure unless it is medically necessary. Be sure to discuss costs and payment upfront as you consult with the trained professional about removal.

You donā€™t have to worry about tattoos being a problem in your life. Learn more aboutĀ how Calista Skin Center can help you with your tattoo removal.

Give us a call at 817-488-3838 for a consultation, and weā€™ll get you on the path to freedom from past ink.

Schedule a consultation

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817-221-0224

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Schedule a consultation

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817-221-0224

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Categories
tattoos

9 Tips For Getting Rid Of Tattoos

9 Tips For Getting Rid Of Tattoos

Thinking of escaping the past with the removal of a tattoo? Dallas-Fort Worth tattoo removal is possible for those who donā€™t want to carry around memories of past loves, celebrations or anything else. The tattoo may no longer reflect who you are today; getting rid of it is the next step.

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Body ink is often chosen on a whim and can sometimes be the result of a drunken impulse, rebellion, need for attention, identification with a person or group or an act of artistic expression. Whatever the reason for the original body art, it may be time to let it go and have it removed.

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Todayā€™s lasers have improved the process, with a series of laser treatments, possibly four to eight weeks apart, the course. Most of the tattoos today are removed with a Q-switched laser. Calista Skin and Laser Center wants you to know more.

Here Are Nine Tips To Know Before Your Treatment.

1. Each tattoo may disappear differently
A laser treatment expert should be consulted, as some of the past tattoos may fade only partially after treatment.

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2. Where is the tattoo?
On which area of the body is the tattoo located? That will make a difference, as fading might be slower for a tattoo that is located further down the leg or arm.

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3. An older tattoo is better
An older tattoo tends to fade more easily, while newer tattoos may take more treatments and are more difficult to remove.

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4. Who gave you the tattoo?
Amateur ink, such as ā€œstick-and-poke,ā€ is easier to remove than a tattoo done by a professional. Skin changes uncovered during laser removal might result in a ā€œghostā€ of your former tattoo.

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5. Colors and more colors
Since different dyes react to different wave lengths, no single laser might remove all colors. The easiest colors to remove include the following:

  • Black
  • Dark green
  • Brown
  • Dark blue

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Tattoos that are larger, darker and more colorful involve more time and expense to remove than those that are smaller, lighter and less colorful. The hardest colors to fade include:

  • Turquoise
  • Purple
  • Yellow
  • Fluorescent dyes

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It is easier to remove a tattoo on a person with lighter skin that on one with darker skin. It can still be done, although it may involve a bit more time. Consulting with an expert is important to find the best option for your individual tattoo removal.

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6. Your skin may have changed
Changes in skin texture or scarring may have resulted from the original tattoo. Removal with a laser might still leave a ā€œghostā€ of the tattoo.

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7. Apply sunscreen before and after
Applying sunscreen before and after treatment may help with darkening or lightening over and around the area of the tattoo. It is also advised to wait until a tan has faded before getting a tattoo removed.

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8. Darkening may happen
Some of the cosmetic tattoos, that are used as lip liner, may darken right after laser treatment. This is especially true with the pink, white and flesh-colored liners used in the cosmetic application of a tattoo.

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9. Allergic reactions matter
When your tattoo was first applied, did you have swelling and itching, indicating an allergic reaction? If this was the case, a Q-switched laser might cause a reaction that is more serious.

Now that you have the facts about tattoo removal, you might contact us or call 817-488-3838 to find out more and to set up a consultation. We can help you as you move forward into the future with the past no longer a part of todayā€™s body.

Schedule a consultation

Please fill out the form below or call us at 

817-221-0224

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By submitting this form you agree to be contacted via phone, text, and/or email.

Schedule a consultation

Please fill out the form below or call us at 

817-221-0224

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By submitting this form you agree to be contacted via phone, text, and/or email.

Categories
tattoos

Understanding The Laser Tattoo Removal Process

Understanding The Laser Tattoo Removal Process

In the past, getting a tattoo was permanent, but today, thanks to new laser tattoo removal technology, tattoos are removable. If you would like to know how it works, read on.

Understanding The Basics Of A Tattoo

The inks currently used for tattoos are generally made of heavy metal compounds that often contain metals like copper, lead, manganese, and some of the red inks contain mercury as well. What makes the ink last permanently, is the metals it contains. However, some people have had an allergic reaction to a few of these inks as they caused eczema and even scarring.

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As soon as the needle punctures the skin and transmits the ink deep inside your body, it triggers an alarm and your immune system goes right to work to fight off what it recognizes as foreign intruders by dispatching swarms of white blood cells to attack them. The white cells escort the small ink elements to the liver, to be processed and excreted. However, large portions of the ink particles are much bigger than the white blood cells making it impossible to carry off. Therefore, some of the new tattoos tend to fade over time but wonā€™t naturally disappear.

Interested In Having Your Tattoo Removed?

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Check OutĀ Our PricingĀ and Schedule YourĀ First AppointmentĀ Today

Will My Tattoo Eventually Fade Away?

While they are much too large for the white blood cells to grasp and completely remove from the skin, even over time, the white cells donā€™t give up that easy and will continue to devour the ink particles little by little. In fact, one tattoo removal expert who is also a plastic surgeon compared these actions to a person taking bites of an elephant. This is the reason why tattoos are permanent and the only way to erase them is by using lasers to break the ink particles up into pieces. These lasers used to remove tattoos are called Q-switch or ultra-short pulse lasers. They are extremely fast, very hot, and operate at a frequency that is very narrow. A PicoLaser works on a scale of a trillionth of a second or in picoseconds. The speed and heat used are crucial to break the ink particles apart.

How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?

First, the laser removal tool will heat the ink particle up so that it will expand due to thermal energy. However, the only way to keep half of the ink particle cool is to zap it extremely fast. The opposing forces of hot and cold will then rip the particle apart. This process also used for laser hair removal, is called photothermolysis. After the lasers have done their job, the ink particles will be in bite-sized chunks and the white blood cells can continue carrying them off to the liver.

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This process may sound like an easy task, but the truth is, it can take a few rounds of treatments to complete and may leave slight scarring. Darker pigments are much easier to eliminate than the lighter ones contained in reflective inks, which are not as responsive to lasers and the process is more painful than it is by getting a tattoo. Because the ink particles are heated to thousands of degrees by the laser so rapidly and directly specifically to the ink, the tissue doesnā€™t get burned, but the energy will collapse into a Shockwave that vibrates and lifts the upper skin layer causing it to appear frosted or white. This effect only lasts for a few seconds but is very painful.

Interested In Learning More About Laser Tattoo Removal?

Calista Laser offers DFW Tattoo Removal. Our professional team puts customer safety and comfort first. Our philosophy is to offer the best laser technology resulting in the most effective tattoo removal at the lowest prices in Texas. Learn more about Laser Tattoo Removal Services.

Schedule a consultation

Please fill out the form below or call us at 

817-221-0224

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By submitting this form you agree to be contacted via phone, text, and/or email.

Schedule a consultation

Please fill out the form below or call us at 

817-221-0224

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By submitting this form you agree to be contacted via phone, text, and/or email.

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