When you first got your tattoo, you were excited about the final product. But when you look in the mirror now, you have regrets, and you're wondering how you'll live with this terrible tattoo forever.
The great news is that you can get your tattoo removed. Dr. Lori Scott offers laser tattoo removal with the PicoSure® laser at her Kinston, North Carolina, office. If you're tired of looking at an unwanted tattoo, Dr. Scott provides expert care to give you results you're happy with.
This cutting-edge technology allows Dr. Scott to permanently remove unwanted ink in your skin. Before this technology existed, you had to undergo dermabrasion or surgical tattoo removal, which was painful and often left scarring.
Dr. Scott uses an advanced laser system — the PicoSure laser — which emits quick bursts of energy to break up the ink particles under your skin. The energy bursts produce heat that targets excess pigmentation from the tattoo. The laser heats the ink and breaks it down into smaller particles, which your body can then break down completely and flush them out of your system.
Although it sounds pretty simple, it may take several sessions to rid your body of the unwanted tattoo. Different colors and sizes of tattoos require more aggressive laser tattoo removal treatment to rid your skin of the ink permanently.
Dr. Scott may provide a numbing cream before the procedure to reduce discomfort, and you wear protective eyeglasses to shield your eyes from the laser. Dr. Scott also tests an area of your skin to determine the strength of the laser needed for your tattoo.
Your treatment time varies depending on the size of your tattoo and the intensity needed from the laser. Treatment takes less than an hour per session, usually between 30 and 45 minutes for larger tattoos.
During the laser tattoo removal procedure, you don’t experience pain but may feel some discomfort. Some people say the laser feels like a rubber band snapping on your skin as Dr. Scott guides it over your tattoo. Afterward, Dr. Scott applies an ice pack to the area to soothe inflammation, and she provides you with a topical ointment to help the area heal and to prevent infection.
You should keep the laser-treated area covered for the first day to prevent irritation or infection. You can take a shower the following day, but avoid scrubbing the treatment site while it’s healing.
There are a lot of factors that go into determining the success of your laser tattoo removal treatments. For instance, certain colors in a tattoo respond better to the laser than others. Blue and black ink absorb light well and are easier to remove relatively quickly; other colors may take more time.
Although lasers are potent tools, they do have some limitations. In some cases, Dr. Scott can’t completely eliminate your tattoo. Your ink will fade significantly so it’s less noticeable, but you may have some residual color from your tattoo. The ink in your skin may also be too deep for the laser to reach.
Before your first tattoo removal session, Dr. Scott evaluates your tattoo to determine how much she can remove. If you regret getting your tattoo, schedule a laser tattoo removal consultation. Call our office at 252-238-7079 or book an appointment online.
