If you have a tattoo that you regret, you’re part of the 1 in 4 Americans estimated to have an unwanted tattoo. The reasons for regret vary – maturity, career aspirations, an unwanted reminder, a change of heart, etc. – but ultimately, the decision to undergo tattoo removal is difficult because there are physical as well as emotional aspects to consider.
At Kitagawa Dermatology, founded by Honolulu native and cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Kory Kitagawa, we know that whatever your reasons for tattoo removal, you want it to be removed safely, comfortably, and effectively.
And we know an innovative new way that’s permanent – PicoWay laser.
Things to Consider before Tattoo Removal
Before getting your tattoo removed, there are several things to consider, not the least of which is the number of sessions you’re going to need, although the answer depends on a variety of factors, such as where the tattoo is and who did it.
Some areas of the body have less blood flow than other areas (your ankle or hand, for example), which affects your healing and recovery, and could require more sessions than if the tattoo were located elsewhere.
The skills of the artist who did the original tattoo are important, too. For example, a pro typically uses denser colors that penetrate more deeply; on the other hand, an amateur artist may have used cheaper colors at inconsistent depths and amounts. Either way, the bottom line is that more treatment sessions may be needed.
Other questions to mull over include:
How Big is the Tattoo? A large tattoo will require more treatment sessions
Which Colors were Used? Yellows, reds, and white are difficult to remove
How Deep is the Ink? Ink at lower depths in your skin are harder to remove
How Big are the Ink Particles? Big particles often can be only partially removed
How Old is the Tattoo? Older, somewhat faded tattoos are often easier to remove
What is Your Skin Tone? Tattoo removal from dark skin is challenging
Even if one or more of these factors is true of your situation, it does not mean that your unwanted tattoo cannot be removed. It simply means that more treatment sessions may be necessary.
Or it means that you should consider the most state-of-the-art tattoo removal method available in Honolulu.
Advances in Tattoo Removal Technology
Traditional laser tattoo removal usually has the following drawbacks:
- Only a small assortment of colors can be erased
- Ink particles don’t break up efficiently or consistently
- Risk of injury or scarring increases on darker skin
Not PicoWay, however. This cutting-edge dual laser device removes tattoos safely, comfortably, and efficiently using very short bursts of high-power energy pulsed into your skin.
The dual-wavelength technology can erase unwanted tattoos in a wide range of colors, including typically challenging colors, such as yellow, orange or red. The pigmented particles are shattered when the handheld PicoWay device is waved over the tattoo, carefully targeting pigmented skin and leaving surrounding skin and tissue untouched and unharmed.
Safe, Efficient, and Permanent Results
With PicoWay, the super-short pulses are so fast that they use less heat energy, yet are so concentrated that they vaporize the particles. The vaporized ink particles gradually make their way through your system until they are naturally and safely flushed from your body. You undergo fewer treatments than with traditional laser tattoo removal and your skin heals faster.
Because the pulses use less energy to break up the ink, PicoWay is safe for darker skin and is perfect for multi-colored tattoo removal. The laser treatment gets results faster, which means fewer treatments are needed and more money is left in your budget. To learn more about tattoo removal costs, please contact Kitagawa Dermatology today.
Potential Side Effects and Aftercare
Although side effects from PicoWay laser tattoo removal are usually mild and short-lived, they are to be expected.
These include skin discoloration or reddening around the treated site as if you have a sunburn. You could also see slight swelling and pinpoint bleeding at the treatment site. However, these should be mild and not too uncomfortable, and they should disappear within 2-3 days.
In the days that follow treatment, it’s important to follow aftercare procedures so that your skin heals and your tattoo dissipates:
- Keep the area covered with ointment and a bandage while the targeted skin scabs over and heals.
- Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated.
- Be careful not to scratch or pick at the site, as it will itch as it heals.
- Avoid the sun as much as possible in the first 1-2 weeks after treatment – use SPF 30 or higher if you do go out in the sun.
- Finally, either avoid smoking or cut down drastically, as smoking can have an adverse impact on your healing and recovery.
If you follow the aftercare procedures carefully, you should have clear, smooth, spotless skin where once there was a tattoo. Permanently.
PicoWay can solve nearly any tattoo removal issue, as it works on all colors, all skin types, all types of tattoos (professional or amateur), including ones that have resisted other laser methods.
Learn more about laser treatments for erasing tattoos at WebMD.com.
Erase Tattoo Regret at Kitagawa Dermatology in Honolulu
If you have a tattoo that you regret, Kitagawa Dermatology can help. With the new PicoWay laser tattoo removal procedure, tattoos of any size, color, or depth can turn that regret into clear, spotless skin. To schedule a consultation, contact Kitagawa Dermatology online or call 808.533.4434.
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