Tattoos can seem to be a good idea at the time, at least if the bourbon or tequila is doing the talking. Little or no planning or thinking about it goes into the decisions to get many tattoos. In fact, statistics from casino.org show that almost 30 percent of men and women both said that getting their tattoo was done “on a whim, with little to no time planning the decision.”
It’s no surprise that those decisions can end up in what is becoming known at “tattoo regret.” Around 30 percent of tattoos gotten on the spur of the moment end up in the “regrettable” category.
So, what can you do about it? It used to be that to remove a tattoo you either had to have dermabrasion, basically have the tattoo sanded off; or you had to have the skin surgically excised. Uh, ouch!
But Dr. Kronberg can help you get rid of that tattoo far more effectively with far less pain. To do so she puts her fast-pulse Q-switched lasers on the job.
How do lasers remove tattoos?
After examining your tattoo and plotting out its demise, Dr. Kronberg makes a decision about which colors to target first. She then sets the wavelength of her laser to match that color in your tattoo. The laser energy penetrates the outer layer of the skin where it converts to heat. The heat is then absorbed by the colored ink in your tattoo. This energy breaks up the ink into tiny particles, which your body then disposes of through the lymphatic system. Dr. Kronberg has extensive experience with laser tattoo removal, so you can be sure she will precisely get at the ink, without damaging the surrounding tissue.
Is it painful?
For our tattoo removal patients, we recommend taking acetaminophen a couple hours before your session. This helps minimize discomfort. Then when you check in, we apply a topical anesthetic to numb your surface skin. There is still a pinching feeling when the laser energy is applied, but most people don’t find it painful.
Your session takes just a few minutes. Afterwards, we immediately ice your tattoo for about 30 minutes. We then apply a topical antibiotic and a bandage.
How many sessions will I need?
This depends on the number of colors, the depth the ink was placed, and a few other variables. To completely remove a tattoo generally takes between 6-10 treatments. Simple one-color tattoos may only take 4 sessions. Patients need to wait 1-2 months between treatments.
Interested in getting rid of that tattoo? Call Dr. Kronberg at (713) 771-8941 to make an appointment.
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