Dr. Kaplan’s First Laser Tattoo Removal Session!
Last Friday, 8/29, Dr. Kaplan came in for his first tattoo removal session. The tattoo was fresh but well healed. It was approximately 2 weeks after the tattoo was placed. Dr. Kaplan had been using the Wrecking Balm on it every 3 days, but notes that it didn’t seem to affect the ink on the balm-treated half of the tattoo.
“I was a bit nervous,” referring to how it would actually feel to get the tattoo removed. Although we describe laser tattoo removal as a “rubber band snapping-feeling,” it’s hard to know how that will feel until you get it done yourself. As with all his patients, Dr. K first put anesthetic ointment on the tattoo and occluded it with plastic wrap. After waiting for 30 minutes to an hour, he was ready to get treatment.
In the photos below, you can see Jeannine, our fabulous physician assistant, performing the treatment. She holds the cooling device that blows cold air over the tattoo in one hand and the laser handle in the other. The laser light is invisible except where it hits the skin. Dr. K compared the feeling of the laser to that of getting the tattoo itself. “It’s quite similar - the discomfort was about equal in intensity, but went by much faster for the tattoo removal.”
After the treatment, you can see Jeannine applying the Intensive Care aftercare ointment. Dr. Kaplan will be back for additional sessions of tattoo removal every 4-6 weeks. Stay posted!
