Tattoos can be an artful way of expressing yourself. Some people feel strongly about certain tattoos when they get them, only to discover that as time passes, they wish they could erase the words or image from their body.
If you’re feeling less attached to the ink decorating your skin, you don’t have to live with your tattoo any longer! Aesthetic specialist Leslie Forrester, APRN, expertly removes unwanted tattoos at our Wrinkle Fairy offices in Chicago, Oakbrook Terrace, Arlington Heights, and Naperville, Illinois, using the LaseMD™ or Fractora® laser systems.
If you regret your tattoo, we can help. Here’s a look at how our laser tattoo removal can restore your skin and eliminate unwanted tattoos.
In decades past, tattoos were thought of as permanent fixtures on your skin. Thanks to advances in laser technology, however, we can now safely and effectively erase unwanted ink from your skin.
It works by using specific wavelengths of pulsed light and heat to break up tattoo ink into tiny particles. Your body’s lymphatic system then removes these tiny ink fragments with other bodily and cellular waste.
If you’re considering laser tattoo removal, it’s important to schedule a consultation with a specialist who can explain your options and recommend the removal method that's most likely to be effective with your specific tattoo.
Some tattoos are easier to remove using laser therapy than others. Some factors to consider include:
At Wrinkle Fairy, your provider examines your skin and talks to you about your tattoo removal options and what you can expect your treatment plan to look like. Since most tattoos use multiple layers of ink, it can take several sessions to erase the image as they must be treated one layer at a time..
Even though laser tattoo removal is effective, multiple sessions are required since we need to erase the ink layer by layer. How many sessions and how long each one will take to remove your tattoo depends on the size and type of tattoo you have.
Generally, each laser session takes about 10-15 minutes each session. Most of our patients tolerate laser tattoo removal well, but we generally provide a topical numbing cream, since the process can be uncomfortable.
You don't need any downtime after your laser therapy session. Just be sure to avoid exposure to sunlight following your treatment, as your skin will be more sensitive to sunlight for a little while.
Keep in mind that although laser tattoo removal is generally safe, there are a few possible side effects, including:
In some cases, we may not be able to fully remove the tattoo though it will be much lighter.
If you’re ready to say goodbye to your tattoo, we can help. To learn more, schedule an appointment with Leslie at the Wrinkle Fairy location nearest you.
