"I got my girlfriends name tattooed on my arm but then we broke up a year later. Laser Tattoo Removal managed to remove the tattoo! The tattoo is not visible anymore." - Jason Pierce, Los Angeles, CA
"I got my first tattoo when I was 17 years old. At the time I thought it was cool to get a barbwire around my arm. The tattoo is so out-dated so I decided to get it removed.
Laser Tattoo Removal took care of the problem!" - Michael Gonzales, Cerritos, CA
Laser tattoo removal is charged by the square inch. How big is a square inch?
A square inch is about the size of one postage stamp. A business card is six square inches. To determine how many square inches your tattoo is, measure the length and the width and multiply those numbers together to get the total square inches. Square inch charges generally range from $35 to $60 per square inch per visit. A very small tattoo may require only 1 or 2 visits and be removed for a flat rate minimum charge. Minimum charges may vary. |
My tattoo has lots of colors. Can it be removed by laser?
We use state of the art lasers and the newest techniques which combine the power of three laser beam frequencies to remove all colors. Some colors may require more treatments, but they can be removed. Tattoo's that have had white (titanium oxide) applied cannot be removed until the white has faded, which could take 5-10 years. |
Will it be gone after my first tattoo removal treatment?
Usually not. There are several different factors involved in determining how many treatments your particular tattoo will require, but between 5 and 15 treatments is average depending on the tattoo size, colors used, the depth of the ink and the type of pigment used to create your tattoo. |
I had my first laser treatment and nothing seems different. Is this normal?
Yes. Some people may even see their tattoo get darker with their first treatment. Everyone responds at a different rate. The treatment is usually only effective with multiple visits...just be patient and you will see the results you are looking for. |
I had a treatment a week ago and it seems all healed. Can I come back sooner than six weeks?
Healing is not the reason for the spacing of your treatments. The laser does not expel the ink, it breaks it up so your body's immune system can take it away. If you treat your tattoo too frequently, the laser is simply targeting the ink your body hasn't had the chance to remove, and you pay more for the same result. |
Are there any limitations after treatment?
You may resume all activities soon after treatment, provided you ensure the area is not rubbed or scratched. If you are in the sun, you should cover the treated area to prevent sunburn until the skin has healed. |
I love this tattoo, but there's this one part that bugs me. Can I have just a piece of it removed?
Yes. If you dislike only a portion of your tattoo the offending area can be targeted for removal. If the area is a specific color we will use only the wavelength of laser light that works on that specific color. Even if the laser beam were to contact another part of your tattoo that is a different color, it will not be effected. We can take the face off your pin-up girl to have it redone. We can take just the name off the banner across your heart. Our technicians are highly trained, very experienced and use only state of the art lasers. |
I have permanent make-up (lip liner, eyeliner, eyebrows). Can you remove it?
Permanent facial makeup tattoos can be treated, but only on a case by case basis. We will not work on permanent eyeliner makeup and will only consider treating lip liner and eyebrows after a very thorough examination and consultation. Some cosmetic inks have metallic bases. When the laser comes in contact with these inks, it can turn black. Be cautious of anyone who says they can definitely remove cosmetic ink. Once this darkening occurs, it cannot be removed by any laser. You may end up with permanent black lip liner. Tattooed eyeliner cannot be removed due to the danger of the laser near the eye, and the ink in permanent eyebrows could migrate up the forehead causing a shadow effect.
For the above stated reasons we would advise against having a permanent facial makeup procedure done. |
Do I have to pay for my entire tattoo removal treatment in advance?
No. However, we offer discounts if you do. You can pay for one treatment at a time. We provide discount packages for multiple treatments. |
Will laser tattoo removal leave a scar?
With current state of the art laser tattoo removal the chance of a scar caused by laser is about 5%. In most cases the scar is simply revealed by removing the ink and was created by the tattoo artist when the tattoo was applied. Most dermatologic surgeons think of a tattoo as a scar filled with ink. Once the ink is removed the scar (micro-scar) remains. If you are predisposed to Keloids, or you scar easily, your chances are higher. Compliance with our aftercare instructions will greatly reduce your chances of laser induced scarring. |
Does it hurt?
Pain is your personal perception and everyone experiences it differently, but the unfortunate thing about tattoos is that both getting them and having them taken off can be uncomfortable. The impact of the energy from the laser's powerful pulse of light is described by some patients as feeling like hot specks of bacon grease on your skin or being rapidly snapped by a rubber band.
Prior to a laser procedure, we recommend that a non-aspirin product like acetaminophen (Tylenol) be used to lessen minor aches and pains that may be experienced after a procedure. We do not recommend aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as Ibuprofen because they may result in pronounced bruising after treatment.
Other pre-treatment steps may include the application of an anesthetic cream two hours before the laser session. It is wiped off just before laser surgery begins. |
Not all laser removal specialists are the same
Patients should be able to schedule a complimentary consultation prior to treatment to assess their situation and to determine the likely outcome. No matter which tattoo removal clinic or doctor you choose, always make sure they have the appropriate training and experience required for a successful laser tattoo removal treatment. Make sure all questions and concerns are answered to your complete satisfaction and educate yourself to make sure that only the most current laser technology will be used. |
