Q-switched lasers have become the standard for laser tattoo removal.  Q-switching is a shutter-like mechanism that allows only super short (nanoseconds) bursts of laser light to be emitted.  These super-rapid bursts of energy cause fracturing within tattoo particles yet generally do not transmit enough heat to the skin to cause damage to surrounding normal tissue.  Lasers used for most other cosmetic purposes, such as laser hair removal, laser resurfacing and skin tightening all generally have much longer durations of light transmission.  Although this is fine for their usual indications, such lasers cause too much collateral damage in tattooed skin.  The effect with a non-Q-switched laser treatment of a tattoo is similar to burning off the tattoo and may even be successful after one treatment but has the unfortunate side-effect of a deep scar.  The end result therefore, is usually worse that the original tattoo.  This is the reason you can’t get laser hair removal over tattooed skin.

Tattoo MD uses only Q-switched lasers in our tattoo removal procedures.  We use the Medlite C6 and the Asclepion Rubystar which are both nano-second lasers.  If you are considering a tattoo removal procedure elsewhere, make sure that q-switched lasers will be used.

Boca Raton Radiesse

Ohio Cosmetic Surgery

Due to a policy change at Care Credit, TMD Medispa will continue to offer 0% Financing through Care Credit.  Care Credit allows qualified borrowers to get 0% financing and other low-interest financing for medical and cosmetic procedures.  We will continue to also offer MyMedicalLoan.com as well.  Please see our financing page for our current offering.

This is a question we often get.  Someone may have just gotten a tattoo put on and are already regretting it.  They want to know if they can get laser tattoo removal immediately.   They even consider other methods of removal to get the process started quickly and before the tattoo heals.

There are a lot of underground techniques out there on the internet to try to get a tattoo off before it has healed and set in.  They range from scrubbing with abrasives, to chemicals and various other techniques.  Unfortunately, none of these techniques are medically proven or generally accepted.  They are not performed in doctors’ offices or clinics.  If you try them yourself, it’s possible that you will achieve some fading but it’s also possible that you will cause a scar or infection.  Having discussed this issue with various dermatologists, Dr. Kaplan cannot recommend any of these methods at this time.

A new tattoo generally heals within 1-2 weeks.  By the time the skin is no longer broken, it is ok to start laser tattoo removal.  Although we have no scientific data on this, starting early is better than waiting a few months or more.  Once you start treatment, you can continue getting more treatments as frequently as every 4-6 weeks.

As of August, 31, 2009, we are switching to Mymedicalloan.com from Care Credit, to provide cosmetic and laser tattoo removal financing for our patients.   Mymedicalloan will provide the same level of service as CareCredit, if not better.  If you currently have a Care Credit balance, we urge you to consider using it at Tattoo MD prior to August 31.  You could buy store credit or charge up a gift card if you are not sure what you will want in the future.