If you have a tattoo, you're not alone. An estimated 20 million Americans do. If you want it removed,
you're also not alone. About half of those with tattoos report they would now like their tattoo to disappear
- but without a disfiguring scar left in its wake.
Laser technology has made great strides in eliminating tattoos, so this may be a good time to seriously
consider tattoo removal. Everything from small, single-color tattoos to large, multicolored ones can
now be significantly faded, if not completely erased, by the beams of light that new, special lasers
produce. And, as importantly, there is little risk of the scarring or loss of pigmentation that other
lasers and technologies can cause.
Understanding Tattoos
Tattoos are created by embedding ink (colored pigments) in cells in the dermis, the layer of skin below
the top layer of skin.
In the past, if you had a tattoo, you had it for life. Then along came dermabrasion, cryosurgery, and
other techniques, and tattoos could be removed, but they left a scar or a visible white, unpigmented
area.
Now, the new VersaPulse® Aesthetic Laser, is a state-of-the-art system specially designed to treat
the full spectrum of tattoos.
The VersaPulse Advantage
Other lasers emit a light beam of only one color of light. This means that doctors sometimes needed
as many as four different lasers to treat multicolored tattoos.
The VersaPulse C Aesthetic Laser produces short pulses of a wide range of light colors to treat the
full spectrum of tattoo ink. The entire treatment involves no incisions.
What You Can Expect
Removing a small tattoo of one color may take one or two 15 - 30-minute laser treatments; multicolored
tattoos may take several sessions depending on their size and type of ink. Sessions are usually spaced
6 - 8 weeks apart and are performed in the Lourdes Ophthalmology Surgery / Laser Treatment Center.
The laser treatment itself feels like numerous snaps with a rubberband. Most patients do not require
anesthesia during the procedure. Topical or local anesthesia is provided for those who do.
The appearance of the treated area immediately after a laser session will vary from patient to patient
depending on the extent of treatment. Immediate after-effects may include redness, light crusting, or
tenderness, all of which disappear in a short time. Your physician will be happy to tell you more about
your treatment and what you can expect.
For more information call Lourdes Ophthalmology Surgery / Laser Treatment Center at (607) 798-5991.