Our standard recommendation is for people to wait at least six weeks, and preferably four, between their tattoo removal treatments.  This is not because of time needed for healing - usually there is no burn or blistering, so very little “healing” needs to occur.  The 4-6 week figure comes from the theory that tattoo removal doesn’t just happen because the ink gets blasted away by the laser, rather it relies on an active process in the skin that involves the immune system.  It is thought that ink particles are taken up by immune cells and moved away from the tattooed area through lymphatics.  Any such complex process takes time, and it correlates with our observation that the longer people wait between laser tattoo removal treatments, the more fading there is.  There is a point of diminishing returns, though.  With each passing week there is less and less additional fading, so if time is of the essence, then getting a treatment every 4-6 weeks is best, but you may in the end get more treatments in total than if you waited, say, at least 6 weeks.

If the tattoo is very dark to begin with or is a cover-up, there may not be any noticeable difference after the first treatment or two.  Even if ink is actively being taken out of the tattoo after a laser treatment, the tattoo may stilll contain so much pigment that it may not look lighter.  So don’t despair if your tattoo falls in this category - it may simply require more treatments than a lighter tattoo.

At Tattoo MD, we often get patient inquiries regarding treatment during pregnancy or breast-feeding.  Patients want to know if they can get a tattoo removed during pregnancy or get Botox while breast-feeding, etc.  The answer to this is often “no,” but not for obvious reasons.  Laser tattoo removal, for instance, is avoided during both breast-feeding pregnancy.  Research has generally not been done to prove that any such procedures are not safe or vice-versa.  We generally follow the principle that if any chemicals could be produced or added that are not normally present in the body, then we avoid the procedure during this time.

For instance, laser tattoo removal breaks tattoo pigments into smaller components and mobilizes them to distant sites away from where the tattoo is.  Although it is not known whether these pigments could cross the placenta or enter breast-milk, we assume that it’s possible.  Laser hair removal by itself does not introduce any foreign chemicals but topical anesthetic cream is used, so it is avoided for that reason.  Botox injections are avoided also, although the chance of causing a problem with a fetus or nursing child is extremely low, since it has never been tested in that setting, and probably never will be.  Injectable fillers, such as Juvederm and Radiesse are composed of natural ingredients, hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite.  However, lidocaine is injected or applied topically, so these are also not used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

So what services can we offer during this period?  Actually, quite a few.  Microdermabrasion is completely safe.  It does not introduce anything and works on the surface of the skin.  Sclerotherapy of spider veins is also safe, since it uses natural salt water in minute amounts that are only active locally at the site of injection.  Most of the other estheticiain services, such as waxing, facials and eyelash extensions are safe, but Vi Peels are not done.

To the pregnant or nursing mothers out there - just hang in there!

In appreciation of our country’s law enforcement officers, Tattoo MD offers a 15% discount off all our laser services, including laser tattoo removal and hair removal, and esthetician services.  At Tattoo MD, we welcome relationships with local law enforcement officers.  We know that these brave men and women put themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis and would like to express a small thank you in return.

At Tattoo MD, we appreciate the service to our country that our brave soldiers provide.  Although soldiers may treasure some of the tattoos they get during service, they may have some that they are not so fond of.  Tattoo MD is there for these servicemen and women.  We have been contacted both by soldiers at home and serving abroad about getting tattoos removed.  Whether you are in the Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, or other branches of the military, we offer a 25% discount off our regular tattoo removal prices.
As always, consultations are free, so call 877-822-6352 to make an appointment!

Intensive Repair is a skin care product that Dr. Kaplan and Tattoo MD developed specifically for relief after laser tattoo removal.  Although there may not be any pain after a laser session, there is always the possibility of blistering or aching after the treatment.  When Tattoo MD first opened, we tried neosporin ointment and homeopathic remedies, but were dissatisfied with the results.  We therefore enlisted the assistance of pharmacists who helped us develop an aftercare lotion.

What we came up with is a combination of a gel base and multiple healing ingredients, such as aloe vera, callendula, and arnica.  Having experienced laser tattoo removal himself, Dr. Kaplan attested to the immediate soothing properties of Intensive Repair.  We recommend using Intensive Repair after you laser tattoo removal treatments with us.  It may even be useful for other conditions, such as minor burns or wounds (so don’t get rid of it when your tattoo is gone!).

Dr. Kaplan went in yesterday at the 4 week mark for his second laser tattoo removal.  As you can see in the photo from yesterday, the tattoo had faded significantly after the first treatment.  The thin letters all look moth-eaten and there are light patches within the thicker letters.  The treatment felt about the same as last time, but it was remarkable how the Intensive Repair ointment immediately took away any discomfort.  Dr. Kaplan will be back in 4 weeks or so for his next laser treatment.

The ruby laser is one of the Q-switched lasers we use at Tattoo MD for difficult to remove tattoo inks, especially blue and green.  With an Nd:YAG laser alone, it is very hard, often impossible, to remove these colors.  In our experience, these inks, especially the blues, come out very well with the ruby laser.  Although the Nd:YAG laser does have attachments that are said to be useful for these colors of inks, in our experience they do not live up to billing and are slow and cumbersome.

So if you have a tattoo that contains blue and/or green inks, even if you are already getting laser tattoo removal somewhere else and are frustrated with the progress, come to Tattoo MD for the most advanced laser tattoo removal techniques available.

Radiation tattoos are not something most people in the tattoo community have heard of.  These are a tattoos used for cancer patients to help with the localization of radiation therapy.  For instance, a breast cancer patient may get several dots tattooed so that subsequent radiation treatments will be placed correctly.

Although these tattoos are very helpful, they remain long after the cancer has been treated and (hopefully) cured.  As the memory of the cancer recedes, the tattoo remains as a reminder of that state.  Patients may then want to remove this tattoo so that they can “make a fresh start.”   Laser tattoo removal for these tattoos is often described to us as a “liberating” experience.

Fortunately, radiation tattoos are some of the easiest to remove and are quite small.  At Tattoo MD, we appreciate the opportunity to help cancer survivors who want to erase reminders of their radiation therapy.  To welcome these special patients to our clinic, we are pleased to offer a 30 minute facial with the purchase of a radiation tattoo removal package.

This weekend, September 26-28, features the Body Art Expo at the LA Convention Center in downtown Los Angeles.   The Expo hosts tattoo artists from around the world showcasing all different styles of tattooing.  Here is the link to the event.

In honor of the event, Tattoo MD will offer special discounts to attendees.  Our 25% special discount on tattoo removal packages expires at the end of September.   If you bring in your ticket stub from the Body Art Expo, however, you can receive the same special discount any time this year.

Dr. Kaplan got his first treatment 2 weeks ago.  So how was it afterward?  There was some itching and redness initially but, as he instructs his own patients, Dr. Kaplan used Intensive Repair tattoo removal aftercare lotion for quick relief.  There was no blistering, bleeding, or scabbing.  He is also careful to keep the tattoo covered from the sun or to at least use high-SPF sunblock on the area.

As far as fading, within a week, Dr. Kaplan noticed that lines within the letters of the tattoo were looking moth-eaten.  The two thickest letters have very small areas of fading in their centers.  There’s no question that at least several more treatments will be necessary, but this seems like a good start, with no problems along the way so far.