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Laser Tattoo Removal

Laser Tattoo Removal

laser tattoo removal patient

It may have seemed like a good idea at the time, but if looking at your tattoo now raises the question, ‘What was I thinking,’ you may be suffering from a serious case of tattoo remorse. Fortunately, Dr. Aggarwal at the Vein Care Centre in Lima, OH, offers state-of-the-art laser tattoo removal treatments to help clear your skin of unwanted ink. For residents in Lima, Celina, Findlay and beyond we can help erase your tattoo to restore smoother, refreshed skin.

What is Laser Tattoo Removal and How Does It Work?

In the past, traditional methods for laser tattoo removal usually required a long series of treatments and came with various side effects. Since conventional lasers delivered excess heat, which remained in the skin, these treatments would often result in scars, hypopigmentation (removal of skin pigment) and hyperpigmentation (darkened skin). The number of sessions required for these methods was usually less than desirable, and the results were often disappointing.

Since then, technology has progressed to eliminate tattoos more thoroughly and effectively with a lower risk of side effects. Tattoo removal today can not only address multiple colors but also break up the ink to ensure the body reabsorbs it without causing burns or changes to the surface skin. The latest ink removal technology draws on a more refined and controlled level of heat, where the laser is fired for a shorter amount of time, and the laser energy spends less time in the skin. As a result, the ink particles are divided more effectively, allowing for a more productive procedure with fewer side effects and up to 40% fewer treatment sessions. After your procedure, your lymphatic system is responsible for taking the ink and removing it from your skin.

At the Vein Care Center, we offer the highly developed Cutera Enlighten laser to help patients remove their unwanted ink. In fact, we were the first clinic in the state of Ohio to provide this revolutionary procedure. The Cutera device is the only tattoo removal laser that uses both picosecond and nanosecond technology to break up the ink into even smaller particles. The Vein Care Centre was also the first in the nation to offer the latest Enlighten laser with all three wavelengths – 1064nm, 532nm and 670nm – which can be used to remove tattoos of all colors.

Does Tattoo Removal Hurt?

Tattoo removal is usually as uncomfortable as receiving the tattoo. Therefore, we prefer to numb the area of treatment using a numbing cream or local anesthesia (injectable lidocaine) or a combination of both numbing methods. During your initial consultation, we will walk you through your options to ensure a relatively comfortable treatment experience. Once the area is numbed, you will feel minimal to no pain or discomfort. You may experience a slight stinging sensation, but we take measures to ensure the process is as painless as possible by keeping sessions short. Following your appointment, you may experience a feeling similar to sunburn on the treated area of skin. Immediately after the procedure, you may also notice a whitish discoloration, known as frosting, which is normal after tattoo removal and disappears quickly.

What Should I Expect After Treatment?

Once your treatment is complete, Dr. Aggarwal will dress the area with a non-adherent dressing after applying Aquaphor. You may notice pinpoint bleeding for the first 24 hours, and some patients may also see small blood blisters. These are normal and should not be drained. Dressing changes can be completed at home and will need to be done daily for one to two weeks. If you experience any pain or discomfort, you can take over-the-counter medication. However, it is essential to discuss this first with Dr. Aggarwal to ensure your results or health will not be affected. The area will not require examination sooner than two weeks.

How Many Treatments are Required?

The number of treatments required will depend on the ink colors, density and size of your tattoo. It will also depend on the location of the tattoo. Tattoos on the fingers, toes or ankles usually require more sessions because the skin is thin, more delicate and also further from the heart. Thinner areas of skin typically have less lymphatic tissue, which is responsible for discarding the ink from the body. However, the Cutera Enlighten laser is the most advanced laser available for tattoo removal, which means that regardless of the treatment area, you will require fewer sessions than other laser methods.

Black ink is the easiest and most effective to remove, followed by red. Yellow, blue and green tattoos are usually the most difficult for traditional laser methods. However, with Cutera’s newest wavelengths, these inks can be eliminated in two to six treatments. While most tattoos can be erased, some colors are more resistant to laser therapy. Tattoos that were redone typically require more treatments. Additionally, home-made inks usually react differently to professional ink, so a test patch may be performed to ensure it is safe to proceed. Tattoo ink with glass is not treated through laser therapy due to the risk or scarring or an unpredictable reaction. In your consultation, Dr. Aggarwal and her team will examine your tattoo to determine the number and frequency of sessions you will need. We will also discuss your expectations and inform you of the most realistic outcome.

Am I A Candidate for Laser Tattoo Removal?

The decision to remove a tattoo is as personal as the choice to get one. When considering tattoo removal, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Does your tattoo embarrass you?
  • Does it remind you of a painful experience, relationship or time in your life?
  • Does it no longer reflect your lifestyle?
  • Does it limit your wardrobe choices because you want to keep it hidden?
  • Have you tried other methods of removing your tattoo?
  • Has your tattoo changed in appearance due to age or sagging skin?

Candidates for tattoo removal should be in good health and have realistic expectations about results. If you had an allergic reaction to your tattoo placement (a typical side effect of red ink), you might not be a candidate for laser removal, and surgical excision is likely the best option.

How Much Does Tattoo Removal Cost?

In your consultation, Dr. Aggarwal and her team will examine your tattoo and determine the cost of your treatment plan. Pricing will depend on the tattoo’s size and the number of sessions required to remove the ink. The state of Ohio declares that all types of laser tattoo removals must be completed by a qualified physician or by a certified nurse practitioner. At the Vein Care Center, all your removal treatments will be performed by board-certified and aesthetic-laser-certified physician Dr. Manu B. Aggarwal or our certified nurse practitioner, Kendra Maag.

Outreach Laser Tattoo Removal

The Vein Care Centre offers tattoo removal services for survivors of human trafficking or radiation treatment associated with cancer. With great respect for the bravery and strength of these survivors, we encourage you to visit our clinic to find out how we can free your skin of unwanted bodily marks and restore your natural appearance.

Human Trafficking Survivors

In partnership with Survivor’s Ink (Survivors Ink), we offer tattoo removal services to survivors and victims of human trafficking. Survivor’s Ink is an organization that strives to empower victims to break free from the psychological chains of suppression by beautifying, covering or removing their physical markings, brandings and scars. As a reliable and supportive resource for victims, they serve to eliminate these painful reminders of a violent and distressing past or transform them into beautiful works of human art that represent the growth, courage and strength that has brought them to who and where they are today.

Sharing in this mission, the Vein Care Center is honored to be a part of your recovery journey. We are here to help you rebuild your life by liberating you of these traumatic physical reminders. If you are a survivor of human trafficking and would like to be freed of your bodily scars, we encourage you to schedule a consultation to discuss how we can help you reclaim control over your body and re-establish your sense of self.

Breast Cancer Survivors

Radiation tattoos refer to the permanent markings on the breast that indicate precisely where radiation must be delivered during treatment. Some women have been marked with one or two dots, while others have four small dots to show the corners of the area requiring treatment. No matter the extent or prominence of your radiation tattoo, we offer breast cancer survivors free tattoo removal services to eliminate physical reminders of their suffering and celebrate the overcoming of their illness.

There are various reasons women consider radiation tattoo removal. While some women are self-conscious about the visibility of their tattoo, others merely wish to embrace a more positive life and happier state of mind by liberating themselves of the scar. Whether for your physical or emotional benefit, we offer the most advanced removal procedure to ensure a smooth treatment experience and fulfilling outcome. Once your oncologist has approved the request, Dr. Aggarwal is here to guide you through the tattoo removal process and bring you closer to fresh, unmarked skin. In honor of the stamina and perseverance that brought you here, we encourage all breast cancer survivors to do what they need to rebuild their life after cancer.

At the Vein Care Center, we are honored to be a part of your return to a healthier and happier lifestyle. If you are a survivor of human trafficking or breast cancer, we support your decision to remove these scars and symbols from your body and reclaim your confidence and identity. Dr. Aggarwal and her team of specialists are here to walk you through the process and help you achieve a beautiful aesthetic outcome and emotionally satisfying result.

Unwanted ink? We can fix that! Laser tattoo removal is just one of the many services offered at the Vein Care Centre. Dr. Manu B. Aggarwal, MHSA, MD, is a board-certified and aesthetic-laser-certified family physician who has been treating patients in the Lima, Celina, and the surrounding areas of Hancock County, OH, for more than five years. Please contact us today by calling 419 227 4472 to schedule your free consultation.

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