Tattoo Removal

Fade Unwanted Ink With Lasers

A tattoo may have seemed like a good idea at the time it was inked, but tattoo removal in Albuquerque exists for a reason. Whether a patient is looking to get a more professional look by erasing visible tattoos or just wants to forget a mistake better left in the past, Western Dermatology Consultants can help.
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Laser tattoo removal has developed to a sophisticated point that clears away unwanted images without much risk of scarring. Light from the lasers penetrates the skin and breaks down the ink, which is then released into the body and eliminated. This is the closest to having an eraser for your skin you’re going to find.

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To learn more about laser tattoo removal in Albuquerque, call Western Dermatology Consultants at 505-855-9267.You can also schedule an appointment to speak with someone and have your tattoo assessed for treatment.

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Laser Tattoo Removal Details

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.
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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.
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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.

Tattoo Removal Steps

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:
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First, a thorough conversation. Scheduling an appointment is a necessity, as it allows the dermatologist to assess the tattoo in person and field any questions, comments, or concerns directly from the patient.
Once the plan is in place, the doctor will start the session by holding the Alex TriVantage^® hand piece directly against the tattoo targeted for removal, then activating the device. It will emit a laser that pulses and penetrates the skin to fragment the ink.
The effected region will next be cooled to keep swelling to a minimum, and will be dressed with antibiotics.
Depending on a variety of factors—especially the size of the tattoo—this process will need to be repeated over multiple sessions.

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.

Will the Tattoo Removal Hurt?

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

What Does Tattoo Removal in Albuquerque Cost?

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.

Who Is a Candidate for Tattoo Removal?

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.
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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.
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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.

What Is Tattoo Ink?

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.
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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.

Is Professional Tattoo Removal Necessary?

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.
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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.

More Than Tattoo Removal

The Alex TriVantage^® system can handle treatments beyond tattoo removal. Because of the way it targets darker patches, it also can reduce the appearance of surface spots on the skin, including age spots, freckles, Nevus of Ota, lentigines, cafe-au-lait, and much more.
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The Western Dermatology Consultants team will guide each patient to the treatment or combination of treatments best suited to correcting the problem in question.

CoNTACT US NOW

Anyone looking for laser tattoo removal in Albuquerque can find it at Western Dermatology Consultants. For additional information about the cutting-edge Alex TriVantage′s^® use in spot and tattoo removal, call 505-855-9267. You may also set up a free consultation online.

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