While the popularity of tattoos has waxed and waned over the past two centuries, interest in them has shown a remarkable upswing during the past twenty years.  However, little, if any regulation of tattooing exists in most states.  Often, no professional training, governing body supervision, sterility guarantee, monitoring, or complaint recourse can be found.  Consequently, in most cases when patients visit a physician for tattoo removal, the amount, type, combination of inks, depth of placement and technique of pigment placement is unknown.  While some tattoos are permanent, most can be safely treated with varying degrees of success, using current and newly developing laser technology.  LASER TATTOO REMOVAL is a procedure performed often by trained staff in a plastic surgeon’s office, to reduce and/or remove some inks used in tattooing, without permanently harming the surrounding tissue. The Candela GentleLase Plus (the laser used in our office) is a device that produces an intense but gentle burst of laser light, which is directed at the tattoo. Cells of the skin supporting each tiny line of ink are literally burned away.  Depending on the size of the area, several treatments are usually necessary.   In some cases, the ink is permanent and will not respond to the laser light.  Should this be the case, the only option available would be surgical intervention to remove the unwanted tattoo. 

     If you want more information about laser or surgical tattoo removal, we suggest you click on the link below.  It will connect you to the website of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.  They will have the greatest amount and most up-to-date information available regarding tattoo removal options.

Associated URL: http://plasticsurgery.org