Laser Tattoo Removal
Many people have learned the sad truth that it is far easier to get a tattoo than it is to have one removed. What seemed inspirational at the time may turn into a source of regret later – sometimes as soon as the morning after. According to an article in the Daily Mail, a recent survey found that 50% of people with tattoos regret getting them, and one in every six people hate their tattoos and want to have them surgically removed.
Fortunately for men and women in this position, tattoo removal has come a long way. Advanced picosecond (one-trillionth of a second) laser technology delivers extremely short bursts of energy into the skin, significantly shorter than the nanosecond equipment that replaced abrasion, surgery, and traditional tattoo removal techniques of the past. Research has shown that this new technology can cut the number of treatments required to remove a tattoo in half.
Dr. Simoni performs laser tattoo removal using the revolutionary new PicoWay laser – the premier alternative to traditional laser tattoo removal. This FDA-approved, picosecond laser treatment delivers effective tattoo removal in a faster, more comfortable series of treatments – far fewer than were needed with earlier generations of lasers.
Simoni Smart Laser Tattoo removal
Tattoos are more popular than ever before, which means more people wanting to remove or replace them than ever before, too.
You may have your own reasons. It may be correcting a haphazard teenage decision. Or a way to “edit” history of your ex you really thought was “The One”. Whatever the reason may be, tattoo removal is the only option to get rid of that unwanted tattoo. Your reasoning behind wanting them gone may never change, but the technology has to do so has vastly improved.
Advantages of Picosecond Technology over Traditional Laser Tattoo Removal
Picosecond laser technology can be used to treat multicolored tattoos on different skin types. Unlike traditional lasers, it delivers super-short pulses of energy measured in picoseconds to the targeted ink. Traditional laser treatments are associated with:
- • Limitations on tattoo colors and types that can be treated
- • Discomfort during treatment
- • Ineffectiveness in breaking up ink particles
- • Certain risks associated with the treatment, particularly with darker skin tones
Picosecond tattoo removal has a number of advantages over traditional laser treatment:
- • It produces fast results with high-power, concentrated energy delivered in ultra-fast pulses to shatter ink particles so the body can clear them.
- • It provides better results for different skin types in few treatments.
- • As the energy pulses are so fast, patients experience minimal discomfort during treatment.
- • Advanced picosecond technology minimizes risk, as the energy is delivered optimally to the ink particles in ultra-short pulses, while the least amount of heat goes into the skin.
Tattoo Removal Procedure with the Picosecond Laser Technology
First, a numbing agent is applied if the patient desires it for more comfortable treatment. Then the PicoWay handpiece is used on the treatment area to deliver high-power laser energy in picosecond pulses precisely to the ink particles. The energy pulses shatter the ink particles into tiny fragments, most of which are later naturally eliminated by the body. The skin is constantly monitored to keep it cool and comfortable from the beginning to the end of the procedure.
This method selectively treats the tattoo without causing damage to the surrounding skin. With less heat generated, the treatment is safer with fewer side effects. Patients may experience temporary skin reddening or discoloration around the treatment site or a temporary lightening of the skin in the area. These symptoms typically resolve and the skin returns to a normal tone.
Tattoos can be removed in a single treatment, although complete removal may require additional treatments. Certain ink colors may require more treatments to remove than others, although treatments will still be fewer with picosecond laser technology, with fewer resulting side effects.
Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Tattoo Removal
Why do People Want to Remove their Tattoos?
Body art has grown exponentially in popularity. Many men and women have tattoos today, including professionals and celebrities. However, as reported by the Daily Mail, a recent survey found that a significant percentage of people who get tattooed regret the decision later.
Common reasons for choosing to have tattoos removed include:
- • Separating from a spouse or partner (whose name was tattooed on a body part)
- • Worry that the tattoo will look terrible as the person grows older and things begin to sag
- • Fear that tattoos could limit career choices
- • Apprehension about the preconceptions of others and being considered common or uncultured
- • The belief that people with tattoos are less likely to succeed in business
Why Tattoos Are Difficult to Remove?
Tattoo ink is injected under the skin, into the dermis (the thick layer of living tissue below the epidermis) where it is less accessible. The larger the ink particle size, the more difficult it is to remove. Traditional laser treatments break up ink particles to make it easier for the body to get rid of them, but after multiple treatments, the ink particles may still be too large for the body to eliminate.
Certain colors, such as reds and yellows, are more difficult to remove than blues and blacks. Darker skin tones are more difficult to treat with traditional lasers because more of the energy is absorbed into the skin rather than the ink particles. This increases the risk involved in treating individuals with darker skin.
The PicoWay laser targets light at colors matching a specific laser wavelength in picosecond pulses that shatter tattoo ink into tiny particles. The body can easily remove these particles through natural processes. The PicoWay emits less heat energy than traditional lasers, which makes it a safer, more comfortable treatment with fewer side effects for patients, including those with darker skin tones.
How does the Smart laser tattoo work?
Simoni Smart Laser Tattoo removal uses picosecond (one-trillionth of a second) pulse duration to generate super-high powered laser energy, focused directly on the ink of your tattoo. This strong photo-mechanical impact optimizes fracturing of tattoo ink – simply meaning your unwanted tattoos will be virtually zapped into vapor.
Will Smart laser tattoo work for me?
This new technology enables us to treat any skin color and any color tattoo more efficiently in less time and significantly less discomfort than traditional tattoo removal methods. Although certain ink colors are a bit more challenging and may require more treatments, the Simoni Smart Laser still requires less treatments overall, resulting in less complications and side effects.
How long does it take to see results?
Your tattoos can be removed in a single treatment, although often times require three to seven treatments for complete removal. Although it is not possible to fully erase your tattoo, the Simoni Smart Laser will significantly diminish your tattoos appearance. Once the area has healed completely and as expected, you can tattoo in that same location with no repercussions from the previous tattoo.
Does laser tattoo removal hurt?
While your anticipation of pain can differ from another patients, rest assured there is only minimal discomfort during the removal process. Patients that have sensitive skin or feel they may experience discomfort find relief from a topical anesthetic applied 30-60 minutes before the treatment session. If you tend to be more sensitive to pain or other sensations, let Dr. Simoni know prior to your treatment.
In addition, the Simoni Smart Lasers advanced technology is ingrained with a patient comfort system. This strategy allows for constant monitoring of your skin from the beginning of your treatment until the very last picosecond, keeping your skins temperature cool and comfortable.
How much does Laser tattoo removal cost?
Depending on the size of your tattoo and how many sessions you will need to remove it will determine your cost. During your consultation, Dr. Simoni can provide you with an accurate price for your tattoo removal session.
Excellence in Laser Tattoo Removal
Dr. Payman Simoni at Simoni Plastic Surgery is double board-certified and one of the most qualified plastic surgeons in the Los Angeles area. He is dedicated to excellence in a range of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures, including tattoo removal.
Dr. Simoni uses smart picosecond laser technology in tattoo removal for a faster, safer, more comfortable procedure with superior results with fewer treatments. With this technology, he can treat tattoos of any color, on any skin color.
If you are looking “erase your past” by removing tattoos you no longer want, advanced laser tattoo removal technology makes it possible to do so more easily, with less risk, fewer side effects, and greater success. Schedule a consultation at Simoni Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, so Dr. Simoni can custom-tailor a laser tattoo removal treatment plan for you.