Tattoo Removal

Tattoo removal technology has come a long way in recent years. Prior to lasers, the primary options involved removing the unwanted ink by essentially sanding it away with dermabrasion or peeling it away. While those methods are effective at rejuvenating skin in need of a freshening up, results were mixed when it came to tattoo removal. There was also the option to freeze the tattoo away, or physically cut an unwanted tattoo out of the skin via a surgical procedure, which could leave very visible scars.

For quite a while, the choice was between simply living with a tattoo you no longer wanted or undergoing tattoo removal and living with the obvious mark where a tattoo used to be.

Eventually, doctors began using light to remove tattoos. While this can be quite effective, doctors found that certain ink colors were easier to erase than others. Blacks and reds tended to go away without much trouble, while greens and yellows were more stubborn. This is because darker pigments more readily absorb the energy from the light as heat, so the treatment impacts them more.

This created a similar challenge to that faced by doctors employing laser hair removal, which targets the melanin, also known as pigment, in a hair to destroy it. Lighter hair colors don’t catch the light from the laser as effectively.

Western Dermatology Consultants offers a revolutionary method to provide patients with relief for their ink issues via unwanted tattoo removal in Albuquerque. This innovative treatment is called Alex TriVantage^®, and is one of the most advanced ways of providing safe and effective removal of tattoos.

Alex TriVantage^® makes use of laser technology to get rid of ink from tattoos. In short, a wide variety of inks absorb certain wavelengths of laser light, which break the pigment up into particles to be eliminated naturally by the immune system. Dramatic results are visible, and the tattoo removal treatment is very effective for many different skin types and ink colors.

Since every patient’s tattoo is different, no two laser tattoo removal sessions in Albuquerque will be exactly the same. In general, people who get the Alex TriVantage^® treatment can expect a few steps:

Repeat sessions will be spread out, with perhaps eight to 12 treatments spaced four to six weeks apart. The projected number of treatments can be estimated during your consultation, but adjustments may need to be made as you see how your tattoo is responding to the ongoing removal process.

Many laser tattoo removal patients describe the laser sensation as akin to having a rubber band stretched, then snapped against their skin.

Patients report that the Alex TriVantage^® treatment is not as painful as other treatments they have experienced. Still, people considering erasing their tattoo should know that the pain quotient is unique to each individual laser tattoo removal patient. The majority of patients do not require any pain management, but some do. Anyone concerned with their ability to tolerate the laser should talk with the doctor about what local numbing or other anesthetic options are available.

The area treated for tattoo removal will typically develop a crust soon after a treatment session, and will require particular care and attention for about a week. Adequate sunscreen should always be applied to the area if you choose to go outside, even on a cloudy day.

In Albuquerque, tattoo removal sessions can run from just a couple of visits to around a dozen, depending on the size of the tattoo, its location, inks used in the tattoo to be eliminated, and other factors. Since every person’s tattoo is unique, every person’s laser tattoo removal plan will be unique.

The best way to figure out how much removal might cost is to visit with one of our board-certified dermatologists and discuss specifics in person.

Anyone who wants to eliminate ink from their skin is a candidate for tattoo removal, though men and women seeking the treatment should not have any skin infections or cold sores at the time of their session. The method is also not recommended for pregnant women, people with a history of light sensitivity, or anyone with a pacemaker.

Since the Alex TriVantage^® tattoo removal system targets pigment, it is important to avoid tanning, whether under the sun or UV lamp, or with a cream, because the change in color to the skin can impact how the laser interacts with the skin.

Your dermatologist will explain all of this and more in further detail at your consultation to help you determine whether laser tattoo removal would work for you.

Laser tattoo removal works on a wide variety of inks and colors, which is good news for people seeking the treatment, because there are hundreds upon hundreds of options in terms of brands, lines, and shades. Tattooing as a practice is regulated by state and local governments, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has the authority to regulate tattoo ink as a cosmetic and color additive—though studies into ink’s safety, both long and short term, are ongoing.

Tattoo ink basically has two parts: the pigment and the carrier. Pigment to color the ink can come from anything from a heavy metal to various elements or plastics. The carrier, which is responsible for moving the ink from the needle into the skin, is typically water or a form of alcohol.

Because there are so many varieties of ink used in near limitless combinations, it is important to allow a dermatologist to examine the tattoo and skin prior to making a decision on a specific tattoo removal treatment. Your doctor at Western Dermatology Consultants will examine your skin and advise you on the best course of action.

Yes, you should always bring unwanted ink to a medical professional. Do not try to get rid of a tattoo on your own. While the FDA has approved tattoo removal as a feature of several types of lasers, it has not approved any acid-based do-it-yourself products available online. Leave self application of acidic compounds alone, and never try to burn a tattoo off.

The FDA also advises anyone seeking tattoo removal to contact a health care provider, such as a board-certified dermatologist, as opposed to returning to the parlor where the tattoo was first inked or bringing questions and concerns to a new parlor. A dermatologist is most qualified to assess the skin as a whole and recommend the best course of action that will yield the most aesthetically pleasing results possible.