Tattoos have become part of North American mainstream culture over the past couple of decades. Some estimate that more than 80 million North Americans have at least one tattoo, and there are about 8,000 tattoo studios now in business in the United States and Canada. Market research estimates that 50% of people, who once got a tattoo, eventually regreted them.  For years, these people had little recourse because existing tattoo removal techniques were very painful, expensive and invasive sometimes even requiring surgery.

 

But now that has changed.  New laser tattoo removal techniques are being utilized by TatBeGone medical staff which are helping people of all ages rid themselves of something that, for a variety of reasons, they no longer want on their bodies.  Falling out of love and wanting a no-longer-special person's name removed are the most popular reasons cited.  Another popular reason is to remove one tattoo to put on another tattoo.  Our technology produces the best outcome for a “new canvas” in order to create a new artistic design by your favorite tattoo artist.

 

 

The Procedure:

 

Step #1

The TatBeGone tattoo removal process begins with a free consultation.  You should arrive a few minutes early for your consultation visit to allow time to fill out a few brief forms.  At this initial visit we will explain the process in detail and let you know what to expect.

 

You will be asked a few relevant questions about your medical history and currently prescribed medications.  There are certain medical conditions and certain medications that would make exposure to the laser unadvisable.

 

The size of your tattoo will be measured to determine the cost per treatment.  We will also snap a picture of your tattoo for use in tracking the progress of your removal treatments.  The information we collect during your consultation will be reviewed on-site the same day by our medical director.  In Oklahoma, it will be necessary for you to meet with our medical director to obtain a prescription for tattoo removal before we can begin treatments.  There is no charge for the prescription.

 

Step#2

Before we actually begin removing your tattoo, we’ll apply a topical anesthetic to reduce your skins sensitivity to the laser pulses.  The anesthetic will need to remain on your skin for about 20 minutes.  We’ll also use a cold air machine during the procedure to minimize discomfort.  Once the anesthetic has done its work, you’ll put on protective eyewear and we’ll begin the tattoo removal process.  

 

To remove a tattoo we use a special kind of laser.  The laser we use produces a very narrow beam of light that travels through the outer layers of skin and is absorbed by the tattoo ink.  The high-energy light pulses break up the ink without damaging the surrounding tissue.  What you will feel is similar in sensation to the pop of a rubber band against your skin.      

 

Treatment time will vary based on the size of the tattoo and the colors being removed.  The entire tattoo removal process will take several visits, each visit spaced four to eight weeks apart.  You’ll gradually see your tattoo fade away over the course of your treatments.

 

Step #3

You can expect to see some redness, swelling, blistering, bruising, pinpoint bleeding, or scabbing in the treated area.  The area will feel warm for a few hours after treatment.

 

We may apply an icepack to the treated area and ask you to keep the area iced for at least an hour after treatment.  This will help to reduce blistering and swelling.  The treated area should be kept clean.  A shower can be taken the next day, although the treated area should never be scrubbed.  If a scab forms, it is vital that you do not pick it or scratch it.

You should stay out of the sun and avoid the tanning bed for several weeks after treatment to minimize the chance of hypo-pigmentation (the temporary loss of skin color) or hyper-pigmentation (the temporary darkening of skin color).  A sunblock should be used when outdoors.  There will be post-care instructions provided to you so that you have proper documentation to review for post-care.

 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

 

What do you use to remove the tattoo?

We use the MedLite C6 laser from Hoya ConBio.  The MedLite C6 is widely held to be the best laser available for tattoo removal.  The MedLite C6 was awarded the Aesthetic Trends & Technologies’ Laser & Light Choice Award for The Best Tattoo Removal Laser.

How does the laser remove a tattoo?

The MedLite laser produces a high-energy beam of light at four different wavelengths.  Each wavelength targets specific ink colors.  The energy from the laser beam passes through the skin and is absorbed by the tattoo ink.  The intense energy breaks down the ink, which is then gradually removed by the body’s natural filtering system.  The significantly improved beam profile of the MedLite C6 compared to previous generation lasers allows maximum energy to be delivered to the tattoo ink without damaging the surrounding tissue.   

 

How many treatments will it take to remove the tattoo?

A professional tattoo will require six to twenty treatments for removal.  Amateur tattoos, that use less ink and are not as deep, will require fewer treatments. The number of treatments will vary, depending on various factors including the type, amount, color, and depth of the tattoo ink.

 

Will the laser remove all colors?

Yes, the laser will remove all tattoo colors, but some colors are more difficult to remove than others.  Dark blue, black and red inks will fade faster than green, yellow, or sky blue inks.  Don't be fooled by other medical clinics telling you their laser can remove all colors.  Do the research yourself and you will discover the MedLite laser is widely considered the gold standard state-of-the-art laser available today for tattoo removal.

 

Is laser tattoo removal painful?

Some people will experience a greater degree of discomfort than others.  We use a topical anesthetic and air cooler machine to minimize discomfort.

 

How much does tattoo removal cost?

Our mission is to make tattoo removal affordable. The size of your tattoo will determine the price.  We’ll give you a firm price when we see your tattoo.  There is no charge for the initial consultation.

 

Will the laser completely remove the tattoo?

Most patients will see better than 95% removal.  It is impossible to predict the degree of removal on any given tattoo because there are so many different brands of tattoo inks.

 

How do I get started?

Our certified laser technicians will be happy to discuss this procedure with you. Please feel free to call or email us to make an appointment for a consultation and treatment in the same day.


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Additional patient information on laser tattoo removal:

Since their original introduction in 1969 many different lasers have been used for medical tattoo removal, and while each laser has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, no one laser can remove all types of inks and pigments in all tattoos.  We have researched many lasers and feel that at this time Q-switched lasers, those capable of producing a brief, powerful pulse of energy, are the lasers most effective for tattoo removal.

 

Depending on the circumstances of each patient, we will choose the specific combination of laser wavelength, power, spot sizes, etc, that we feel will work best for your tattoo.  Ideally, laser tattoo removal will remove all evidence of the tattoo color and image, leaving the skin as it was before the tattoo was placed, i.e. “normal”, with no mark whatsoever.  While we always strive for this outcome, and use the most advanced laser technology available to achieve an optimal result, this may not occur.

 

After the tattoo is placed some mild scar can form in the skin.  Also, any previous attempts of tattoo removal can leave marking in the skin, and years of sun exposure on the tattooed skin may alter the skin’s appearance.

 

These changes may not be apparent while the color of the tattoo is still present, but once the tattoo color is gone, some of these minor variations in texture, color, scaliness, etc. can become more noticeable and make the tattooed area appear different than the surrounding skin.  In general, after the final laser procedure is completed, the treated skin looks much like the normal skin surrounding the spot.

 

We can only ESTIMATE the number of treatments it will take to completely remove the tattoo.

 

This is because:

1. the wide variation of inks and pigmented materials used for tattooing,

2. the inks themselves are made up of a combination of different chemical substances,

3. the amount of ink placed in the tattoo, as well as the depth of pigment placement varies from one tattoo to another,

4. the ability of your white blood cells to “gobble up and drag away” different pigment particles varies,

5. other unknown factors.

 

As a result of these many issues we cannot be absolutely certain how your particular tattoo will respond.  Most “amateur or homemade” tattoos will generally require about 5-7 laser treatments. “Professional” tattoos and those done with harder inks, tend to be more variable in response, and average about 6-20 laser treatments.  Some stubborn tattoo inks may require even more treatments.

 

While the most noticeable lightening of the tattoo usually occurs after the first treatment, continued lightening occurs with each subsequent treatment, although it may not be as easily seen.  Before and after photos have been taken of thousands of patients demonstrating that every patient will fade to some degree after every treatment.

 

Before starting each treatment session, we often compare the tattoo with the original photos (taken before the first treatment) to assess the amount of color that has already been removed. With this information we can evaluate you progress and discuss the need for continued treatment. The decision to continue is always made jointly and made with a clear understanding of potential outcomes.

 

Given enough time, treatment and effort, virtually all the tattoo ink will eventually disappear.

 

With each treatment, some redness, bruising, swelling, blistering and crusting is common, but wound infection is rare. Irregular pigmentation and mild texture changes can occur as a result of laser treatment, but these changes usually return back to “normal” over a few months. Rarely these changes are permanent.  True scarring with the newest, most advanced lasers is rare.

 

We advise patients to protect the wound as you would any other minor burn for a few days.  A dressing may help to protect the area and minimize further injury.  Cold compresses and over the counter analgesics like Tylenol and Advil, can be taken for minor discomfort during the first few days.  Most patients are able to resume normal activity and work the same day.  Showering and bathing are usually not a problem, but sun exposure should be avoided in the treated area.  It is very important to follow our instructions carefully especially regarding the use of any medications or specific wound care that we may recommend.