Tattoos, formerly the domain of pirates and men in the Navy, are commonplace these days. But the tattoo on your back that seemed like a good idea when you were 21 may seem less so as you approach 40 with two kids in tow.
Dr. Kronberg can put laser technology to work getting rid of that tattoo.
Much better than the old days
Getting rid of a tattoo before laser technology was not a pleasant exercise. There were only three ways to do it: freeze it off with cryosurgery (usually only on small tattoos), grind it off with dermabrasion, or surgically cut it out. Ouch, ouch, and oucher (OK, that’s not a word.).
How do lasers do it?
Laser energy is sooooooo much better at this job. Here’s how it works. Dr. Kronberg sets the wavelength of her fast-pulse Q-switched laser to the pigment in the tattoo she is targeting. The laser then delivers micropulses onto the skin. The pigment in the tattoo attracts the laser energy, which converts to heat energy. This breaks up the ink into tiny particles that the body then goes about removing, as it does with waste products. Such is one of the jobs of the lymphatic system. Because each application can usually only target one color, some sessions are necessary to remove a multi-colored, detailed tattoo.
What is the procedure like?
We recommend that our tattoo removal patients take some acetaminophen a few hours before your session to help minimize any discomfort. Then we apply the topical anesthetic to the tattoo. The laser also has a cooling system to help alleviate any pain from the heat.
Each laser tattoo session lasts only a few minutes. Afterwards, the tattoo is iced for about 30 minutes. We then apply a topical antibiotic and a bandage. You’ll need to keep the area dry and treat it like a sunburn.
How many sessions will I need?
This is a factor of the detail and number of colors in your tattoo. Simple tattoos can be eliminated in four treatments. Complicated tattoos may require up to 10 sessions. Each subsequent session is scheduled from one to two months apart.
Tired of the tattoo? Call Dr. Kronberg at (713) 771-8941 to schedule a consultation for laser tattoo removal.
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