Tattoos are an excellent way to express yourself through permanent art on the skin – until you don't love them anymore. You do have options for removing unwanted tattoos, but you’ve heard that it can be painful and leave a scar. Not so with laser tattoo removal.
The PicoSure® laser is a versatile tool and an excellent option for tattoo removal. If you're ready to eliminate an unwanted tattoo, Dr. Lori Scott provides tattoo removal services at her practice, Lori Scott Family Care, in Kinston, North Carolina.
This specialized laser delivers extremely rapid pulses of energy that last one trillionth of a second. That's how PicoSure got its name — a picosecond is one trillionth of a second. Dr. Scott uses it for tattoo removal and skin rejuvenation.
The laser delivers short laser bursts of energy that penetrate damaged tissue cells. It also stimulates the body's healing response to increase collagen production and restore the skin's health.
When you have a tattoo you no longer want, Dr. Scott examines your skin and discusses your specific needs to determine if PicoSure is the best course of action for removal.
The PicoSure laser is an excellent option for tattoo removal because it breaks up the ink without damaging the surrounding tissues. The laser energy targets the ink within the cells, breaking it into smaller particles.
Tattoos are permanent because the ink particles that go into the skin are too large for the body to break down. However, the PicoSure laser can break up these large ink particles, which allows the body to eliminate them over time through the lymphatic system.
Although the laser is a fantastic option for tattoo removal, it doesn't work miracles, instantly making all of the ink disappear. Most people require several sessions to eliminate a tattoo, especially if it's a specific ink color. Green, red, and yellow inks are the most challenging to remove.
You may notice redness and swelling around the treatment site. The skin may also be sensitive to the touch, but these symptoms should resolve within a few hours. You can resume your everyday activities, but keep the treatment site clean and dry, and cover it when you’re in the sun.
You should notice that the tattoo gets lighter after each treatment session. Depending on the size and color of the tattoo, you can expect to undergo multiple treatments to address the layers of ink in the skin.
Dr. Scott spaces the appointments apart to avoid damaging the skin with the laser. It may take several months to a year to eliminate extensive and intricate colored tattoos, allowing the body to break down the ink particles and remove them through lymphatic drainage.
Laser tattoo removal is a safe, effective option when you no longer love that ink as a permanent part of your skin. Contact Lori Scott Family Care today to schedule an appointment to learn more about PicoSure.
