Laser Tattoo Removal

Why Get Your Tattoo Removed with Us?

At the Texas Institute of Dermatology, we want you to have an excellent outcome and to feel that your needs and concerns have been promptly addressed in a caring and sensitive fashion. We offer three state-of-the art lasers for Tattoo Removal in addition to the shave removal of Tattoo by a Dermatologist.
Therefore, when treating tattoo ink, our laser offers less scarring, less complications, and faster results.
All procedures are performed or closely supervised by Dr. Ghohestani, our world renowned Dermatologist. We utilize a numbing cream, and if necessary lidocaine injection in order to offer you a pain-free procedure with an excellent outcome.
A successful tattoo removal consists of selective removal of each tattoo pigment, with minimal risk of scarring.
Nonspecific methods including RF tattoo removal have a high incidence of scarring, textural, and pigmentary alterations compared with the use of Q-switched lasers.
With new advances in Q-switched laser technology, tattoo removal can be achieved with minimal risk of scarring and permanent pigmentary alteration.
There are five types of tattoos: amateur, professional, cosmetic, medicinal, and traumatic. Amateur tattoos require less treatment sessions than professional multicolored tattoos.
Other factors to consider when evaluating tattoos for removal are: location, age and the skin type. Dr. Ghohestani will evaluate each patient’s condition and determine the laser’s setting based on type and color of your tattoo, the location, and your skin type.

Different Colors Need Different Lasers

The Q-switched 532 nm Nd:YAG laser is be used to remove red pigments, 585 nm for yellow and sky blue tattoos, 650 nm for green pigments, and the 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser is used for removal of black and blue pigments.
Some centers use Q-switched Alex or Ruby lasers that are associated with more complications. Most centers may not have a laser with expensive 585nm or 650 nm filters that are used for yellow, blue or green pigments. The most common adverse effects following laser tattoo treatment with the Q-switched ruby laser include textural change, scarring, and pigmentary alteration. Transient hypopigmentation and textural changes have been reported in up to 50 and 12%, respectively, of patients treated with the Q-switched alexandrite laser. Hyperpigmentation and textural changes are rarely seen with Q-switched Nd:YAG laser and the incidence of hypopigmentary changes is much lower than with the ruby laser.
The development of localized and generalized allergic reactions is an unusual complication following tattoo removal. Sometimes, Dr. Ghohestani will prescribe you a topical corticosteroid ointment top decrease chance of an allergic reaction.
Since many wavelengths are needed to treat multicolored tattoos, not one laser system can be used alone to remove all the available inks and combination of inks. While laser tattoo removal is not perfect, we have come a long way since the advent of Q-switched lasers. Current research is focusing on newer picosecond lasers, which may be more successful than the Q-switched lasers in the removal of the new vibrant tattoo links.

How Laser Can Remove a Tattoo?

Computer simulations confirm that the breakup of tattoo particles is photoacoustic. If the laser pulse length is sufficiently short, strong acoustic waves with tensile strengths exceeding the fracture thresholds for graphite are generated. The strength of the wave decreases with particle size and increases as the laser pulse length decreases.
Heat is generated once the laser light hits tan ink particle. Although temperatures of the tattoo particles never reach the melting point, a cavitation bubble around the particle can be formed. The steam generated can get into the cracked particles and induce steam-carbon reactions. Laser energy density decreases rapidly with the skin depth. Different laser intensity should be used for pigments at different depths in order to minimize the collateral damage to the dermis.

BEFORE the Laser Treatment

• Avoid excessive sun exposure for approximately one week prior to your treatment. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 to protect your skin. If you are spray-tanned, please exfoliate to help remove the tanning product in the treatment area.
• If you have a history of cold sores, be sure that the doctor is notified in advance of scheduling your treatment. The doctor will prescribe an anti-viral medication for you prior to your treatment.
• Stop applying any “irritating” skin products at least one day prior to treatment.
• If Dr. Ghohestani has written any prescriptions for medications to be used after your laser treatment, have these filled by your pharmacist and available the day of your treatment.
• Arrive on time for your laser treatment with clean skin. Female patients should not wear any makeup/mascara, lotions, powders or perfumes on or around the areas being treated. Male patients can shave the morning of their treatment but should not apply lotions or aftershave on or around the areas being treated.
• Wear comfortable loose fitting clothes and shoes.

AFTER the Laser Treatment

• After your laser treatment your skin will be cleaned with a mild cleanser and cooled in order to calm down the sunburn sensation and erythema. Some patients might experience some edema for a couple of hours, if they have had an aggressive treatment.
• If the sunburned sensation continues after two hours, then apply a cold pack.
• After calming the skin a moisturizer and sunscreen will be applied to the skin.
• Continue using moisturizer and sunscreen as directed by your doctor after the treatment.
• Female patients can wear makeup immediately after their treatments and male patients may shave.