Answering some FAQs on Laser Tattoo Removal
The Picoway laser system has the following spot sizes: 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 & 10mm. This means we are able to treat tattoos with a high degree of precision, as well as, only treating the areas of the tattoo you want to remove and avoid the parts you want to keep. If you're planning on a covering up a tattoo there is a good chance your tattoo artist will recommend coming to see us first. We work with tattoo shops around the city and provide discounts for cover up customers. Visit Electric Underground, Art Shark Tattoo, Ink Addiction, Eye of the Needle or Rights Of Passage if you're considering cover-up.
The process of complete healing is quicker than ever before. The ink pigments are shattered into minuscule particles which allows the body to remove the particles naturally. To allow the body to naturally remove all of the crystallized ink we treat in no less than 6 weeks intervals. We cap the tattoo removal size at 36 sq inches to prevent overloading the lymphatic system with ink. A healthy immune system is the most important factor for clearing ink more efficiently.
Pain threshold is different for every person and depends on the area getting treated. The pain is often said to be similar to getting the tattoo. Treatment time is much quicker than receiving a tattoo and most sessions are done in a couple of minutes. The feeling is similar to a rubber band flicking your skin or oil touching your skin while cooking. At Resolve we use the Zimmer Cryo system before, during and after the treatment to provide -30 cooling relief to the tissue. This drastically reduces the pain and mitigates tissue damage.
Resolve Laser Clinic's PicoWay employs the latest state of the art technology that fractures the ink into tiny particles that your body’s immune system eliminates naturally. Our professionally trained and certified clinicians carefully input the correct settings matching the skin type meaning you will get the results you expect with minimal chances of scarring. The Picoway poses less risk to scaring than other picosecond or nanosecond q-switched lasers. The older style lasers (CO2 lasers) essentially caused a burn that would disrupt the ink and cause an injury which resulted in a skin trauma. This would scab over and the ink essentially was ejected from the body with the scab. This method was effective but also produced severe scarring. It must be stressed that the procedure is still employing the use of a powerful medical grade laser. In rare cases it's been reported that some extremely uncommon inks react with the laser but we have never experienced such an event. Inks can react to the laser that may cause reactions to the skin. In less than 2% this can result in textural changes in the skin after healing.
PicoWay lasers have three wavelengths, which allow them to treat a wider variety of skin colors and types. This also gives the PicoWay laser the ability to reach deeper levels of skin, breaking up and eventually removing even the lightest colors. PicoWay lasers also give off the shortest pulses in the industry. These pulses are able to treat smaller areas and break down ink at much faster rates, typically requiring less than half the number of treatments that a Q-switched laser would require. Emitting short pulses is also why the PicoWay laser is less likely to damage skin pigment or cause scarring, leaving a much cleaner result. With the highest peak power in the industry, the PicoWay laser emits more energy than any other tattoo removal laser, adding to the speed in which it’s able to break down a tattoo’s ink. The Picoway is the most likely laser to completely remove your ink so there’s a much higher satisfaction rate among those who have undergone treatment from a PicoWay laser. There is less pain and fewer treatments necessary with this advancement in laser tattoo removal technology. PicoWay lasers deliver energy onto the skin in a much faster manner than a traditional laser, in a trillionth of a second rather than a millionth of a second.
The average tattoo takes 3-7 sessions to clear. The tattoo removal process varies with each person. Every person’s immune systems is different and each tattoo is different. Our laser technician will do a full consultation and then customize the treatment protocol. A list of different factors affecting the number of treatments vary for every individual based on the following factors: skin type, colors, amount of Ink, existing scarring, tattoo placement, depth of ink, type of ink, layers of ink, and individual’s immune system. The Picoway laser removes ink better and faster than other lasers but every person and every tattoo is different.
Your skin is not subjected to harsh chemicals or the intense after‐care of other procedures. Patented technology protects the sensitive surface layers of your skin, allowing the laser to penetrate to a deeper level and stimulate new collagen growth.
Certain factors which can cause skin pigmentation or pigmented lesions to manifest are injuries, burns, infections, inflammation, drugs, hormones and sunlight.
One of the most outstanding features of laser skin rejuvenation is virtually no downtime. After a session, the area may appear red for up to an hour. However, makeup can be applied immediately afterward but we reccomend no wearing any for 48 hours. Since there is no wound, there is no healing time. Please note that after treating pigmented lesions the spot may darken and gradually fade in 5-7 days. Due to the deep cleaning and exfoliating of the face breakouts may occur ater treatments.
During your treatment the laser light is targeted at the area of unwanted pigmentation. The laser then fires in ultra short (picosecond – one trillionth of a second) pulses. These pulses actually shatter the melanin in your skin into very minute particles which the body eliminates using its natural processes. PicoWay Resolve 1064nm wavelength stimulates the creation of collagen which rejuvenates the face. The 532nm wavelength targets unwanted pigmentation which leaves you with a clear complexion.
Immediately following the treatment you may have some redness for a few hours but this will rapidly diminish. In rare cases certain patients may experience a temporary discoloration around the treated area but this will typically resolve over the next few weeks.
This varies from person to person depending on certain factors. Mostly it depends on the size, location and depth of the lesion being treated. It can be as little as one treatment or up to several to achieve optimum results.
A Carbon Laser Peel is suitable for men & women of all ages and assists people with pigmentation, acne, wrinkles, dull or poor skin tone, large pores and helps to lessen the premature signs of aging.
Carbon Laser Peel has been described as feeling warm or prickly but not painful. It assists in leaving the skin looking clear and glowing. You may experience slight tingling which is normal while the laser zaps away the thin layer of carbon.
On the day of your treatment you will need to remove any make-up or moisturizers. Make-up and sunscreen may be applied immediately following treatment but we recommend waiting a few hours for any redness to subside.
At Resolve Laser Clinic we recommend spacing out treatments by two weeks, this time-frame allows regeneration of collagen and elastin of skin tissue. Effectiveness of the treatment will be determined by the individual however a course of 3-6 treatments will produce superior results. Maintenance treatments after your initial course are recommended every 1-3 months.
No. The procedure is non-invasive and you can return to normal activities straight after your treatment. You will need to ensure that you use the recommended SPF 50+ sunblock for any outdoor activities. Side effects are minimal with slight redness and tingling a few hours post treatment. There potential for minor breaks outs after your first and second treatment. That's only because the process of cleaning your pores and bringing everything to the surface is amplified in your first few treatments.