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Laser Tattoo Removal Las Vegas

Live regret-free

Sometimes, it’s pretty obvious that you and your 18-year-old self have different taste. And when it comes to a permanent piece of body art, that difference in taste can be quite frustrating. Typically, tattoos are forever—but with the right technology, a little patience, and an experienced aesthetician or cosmetic surgeon, you can watch unwanted pigment fade away.

Here at Cosmetic Surgery of Las Vegas, we are proud to offer laser tattoo removal with a state-of-the-art, safe, and effective laser that helps break up your tattoo ink and lets you erase regret.

How does laser tattoo removal work?

We use a Q-Switched Yag Laser by Rohrer Aesthetics. This laser has time-tested and continually upgraded to offer safe and consistent results. Because it uses dual wavelengths, our laser can reduce a variety of pigments in most skin types.

Laser tattoo removal works by selectively targeting the ink in your skin with controlled pulses of laser energy. When these pulses of light penetrate the pigments of your tattoo, they disrupt the ink and break it up into tiny particles that are then absorbed by your body. Over time and with multiple sessions targeting more layers of pigment, this process fades the tattoo.

Key Benefits
  • Effective Removal of Tattoos: Laser technology can effectively remove or significantly fade tattoos, even those with stubborn ink colors.
  • Minimal Scarring: When performed by a qualified professional, laser tattoo removal has a low risk of scarring compared to other removal methods like dermabrasion or excision.
  • Precise Treatment: Lasers can target specific areas without affecting the surrounding skin, making it a precise method for tattoo removal.
  • No General Anesthesia Required: The procedure is typically done with local anesthesia or numbing creams, avoiding the risks associated with general anesthesia.
  • Effective on Various Tattoo Types: Laser removal works on different types and colors of tattoos, although effectiveness can vary depending on the tattoo’s age, size, and color spectrum.
  • Gradual Fading: The process gradually fades the tattoo over multiple sessions, allowing the skin to heal between treatments.
  • Opportunity for New Tattoos: Laser removal can also serve as a way to fade existing tattoos enough to cover them up with new, more desirable tattoo designs.
Glossary
  • Chromophore: A molecule in tattoo ink that absorbs specific wavelengths of light. Different chromophores respond to different laser wavelengths used in tattoo removal.
  • Dermis: The layer of skin beneath the epidermis where tattoo ink is deposited. Laser tattoo removal targets ink particles in the dermis.
  • Epidermis: The outer layer of the skin. In laser tattoo removal, the laser light must pass through the epidermis to reach the ink in the dermis.
  • Laser Tattoo Removal: A non-invasive procedure that uses laser energy to break down tattoo ink into smaller particles that can be naturally removed by the body.
  • Nanosecond Lasers: Lasers that emit energy in nanoseconds (billionths of a second), used in tattoo removal to shatter tattoo ink particles.
  • Nd:YAG Laser: A type of laser commonly used in tattoo removal, especially effective for darker ink colors. It operates in both Q-switched and picosecond modes.
  • Picosecond Lasers: Advanced lasers that emit energy in picoseconds (trillionths of a second), more effective for breaking down ink particles and often result in fewer treatment sessions than nanosecond lasers.
  • Q-Switched Lasers: A type of laser commonly used in tattoo removal. Q-switched refers to the technique of producing a high-intensity laser beam in very short pulses.
  • Selective Photothermolysis: The principle behind laser tattoo removal, where specific wavelengths of light are used to selectively target and heat tattoo ink particles without damaging surrounding tissue.
  • Tattoo Ink: The pigment used in tattoos, composed of various compounds and colors, each responding differently to laser treatment.
  • Thermal Relaxation Time: The time it takes for heated skin or ink particles to cool down. This concept is important in laser tattoo removal to avoid damaging surrounding tissue.

Will laser tattoo removal work for me?

The age, location, color and type of ink used will all impact your eligibility for treatment and how many treatments will be required. That’s why the first step in the tattoo removal process is to schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Pancholi or one of our highly trained aestheticians. During your appointment, we will evaluate your tattoo, discuss with you what to realistically expect from your treatment, and design a treatment plan that offers you optimal results.

How much does tattoo removal in Las Vegas cost?

Our prices begin at $90 per session for very small tattoos. Your total cost will depend on the size, pattern, color(s), and location of your tattoo and the number of treatments needed for optimal results. We will provide an exact price quote for you at your consultation.

Does laser tattoo removal hurt?

Treatment is different for all patients; some of our patients report that it is quite comfortable, while others feel a little more sensitive to the pain, which feels like a rubber band snap against the skin. We will provide eye protection, prep the treatment area, and slowly and precisely pass the laser over your tattoo. While you may notice a faint lightening of your tattoo after the first treatment, following sessions will provide progressively more dramatic fading.

What is the recovery process?

After your treatment, we will gently soothe the area with ice and antibiotic ointment, and you will be sent home with a bandage over the treated area to protect the skin. Some sensitivity and redness are to be expected for a few days, though these side effects should be minimal and short-lived. It’s important that you keep the area clean and protected with a high SPF when you are outside. Be sure to follow all aftercare instructions provided to you to ensure you achieve optimal results.

Can a laser completely remove my tattoo?

Though there are few risks and side effects associated with tattoo removal, it is important to have realistic expectations—there is no guarantee that your tattoo will completely fade away and be fully invisible. While we use the most up-to-date laser technology, which can remove all ink colors, darker-colored inks respond more quickly.

Finally, depending on the tattoo, your skin type, and your natural healing ability, it can take up to a year for tattoos to fade fully.

References »

Henley JK, Zurfley F, Ramsey ML. Laser Tattoo Removal. 2023 Jul 17. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. 

Hernandez L, Mohsin N, Frech FS, Dreyfuss I, Vander Does A, Nouri K. Laser tattoo removal: laser principles and an updated guide for clinicians. Lasers in Medical Science. 2022 Aug;37(6):2581-2587. doi: 10.1007/s10103-022-03576-2. 

 Kurniadi I, Tabri F, Madjid A, Anwar AI, Widita W. Laser tattoo removal: Fundamental principles and practical approach. Dermatology and Therapy. 2021 Jan;34(1):e14418. doi: 10.1111/dth.14418. 

Bäumler W, Weiß KT. Laser assisted tattoo removal – state of the art and new developments. Photochem Photobiol Sci. 2019 Feb 13;18(2):349-358. doi: 10.1039/c8pp00416a. 

Hirtler P, Serup J. A Practical Approach to Cosmetic Tattoo Removal with the Nd:YAG Laser. Current Problems in Dermatology. 2022;56:259-267. doi: 10.1159/000521483.

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If you are curious if tattoo removal is the right option for you or are ready to schedule your consultation, contact our office today!

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