Laser Tattoo Removal
Conveniently located to serve Columbus, Lancaster, Pickerington, and Canal Winchester
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Having a permanent symbol of your love, a saying or name may have seemed like a good idea at the time, but you’re not alone if you’ve grown tired of seeing a tattoo every day. In addition, many of our laser tattoo removal patients are in the process of enlisting in the military (Thank you!!), and new requirements prohibit visible tattoos. Either way, we have a solution.
At Central Ohio Plastic Surgery, we use the Rohrer Spectrum Nd:YAG laser to remove tattoos of all shapes and sizes. Since technology has progressed so significantly in recent years, complete removal of a tattoo is possible in many cases.
Do some tattoo colors remove more easily than others?
Black, red and green are the easiest colors to remove. Blue and purple can be more challenging, but will usually respond well to the laser. White, yellow and orange can be very difficult to get total removal with the use of lasers.
How much does tattoo removal cost?
The cost for tattoo removal is based on the size of the tattoo and the number of colors. We recommend you come in for a consultation with Dr. Lichten prior to your treatment so he can evaluate the tattoo and the likelihood of success for its removal. Dr. Lichten will give you an exact price quote at that consultation.
How many treatments will I need?
On average, tattoo removal typically takes 5-9 treatments spaced about 6 weeks apart. The treatments need to be spaced, so that the body will have time to re-absorb the color that is broken down by the laser during the treatments. Some patients may be quicker and some may require 10 or more. Factors that go into the number of treatments include: quality of the tattoo ink used, the number of colors in the tattoo, the age of the tattoo and its size.
Does laser tattoo removal work for all skin types?
Unfortunately, the answer is “no.” Lasers operate by looking for differences in color. Dr. Lichten will often recommend that patients with darker skin come in for a patch test – free of charge – to determine whether the laser will remove not only the pigment of the tattoo (which is a good thing), but also the pigment in the skin (not so much).
Is there anyone who is not a candidate for laser tattoo removal?
Anyone who is pregnant or nursing. We just cannot do laser treatments during this special time in your life. Also, we don’t perform laser treatments on anyone who has used Accutane in the last 24 months.
What do I need to know or do before treatment?
Here are our pre-treatment instructions. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Please follow these instructions carefully:
The following instructions should be followed closely except when instructed. Notify Dr. Lichten of any unusual changes in your condition and feel free to call the office at (740) 653-5064 with any questions. We want your treatment to be as effective as possible.
Medications/Reactions
Please advise us about all of your medical conditions and medications before you have your treatment, as there are some that prevent us from performing Laser Tattoo Removal. These include, but are not limited to the following:
- If you are pregnant or nursing
- If you have taken Accutane any time in the past two years.
- If you have an active herpes infection, you may not have the treatment until it resolves. If you are prone to herpes, but do not have an active infection, please let us know and we can prescribe prophylactic antivirals.
Before your Treatment
Avoid sun exposure, including tanning beds for 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after the treatment. Tanned skin has extra melanin which attracts laser energy and may lead to pigmentation changes in the skin.
The Day of your Treatment
- You may use Tylenol for discomfort.
- You may use ice packs before treatment to reduce discomfort.
Avoid applying any lotion, sunscreen, perfume or other similar cosmetics to the surface of your skin on the treatment area.
