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Tattoos don’t have to be permanent. Today’s laser tattoo removal options make removing old, faded, or unwanted tattoos easier than ever. You might have a tattoo that no longer aligns with your personality or lifestyle or want clear skin. You might even want a do-over on a tattoo with a tattoo artist you like better. No matter the reason, Arviv Medical Aesthetics is here to help. We offer state-of-the-art laser tattoo removal in Tampa, so you can easily remove tattoos over just a few appointments and say hello to clear, even, and blemish-free skin. Learn more about our PicoWay laser treatments and the unique benefits we offer for your laser tattoo removal journey.
How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?
There are many different ways to remove old tattoos. Dermabrasion treatments and chemical peels scrub away the pigmented skin to remove (or at least fade) the tattoo, but these treatments can be very abrasive and damage your skin. Instead, more and more aestheticians recommend laser treatments. These treatments use specialized lasers to target the tattoos on your skin and break down the ink into smaller and smaller particles that the body can absorb and eliminate. Over repeated laser treatments, you’ll see your unwanted tattoos start to fade, and with the right treatments, they might even disappear entirely.
However, laser tattoo removal in Tampa can still have some drawbacks:
- Inflammation: Lasers minimize skin irritation and inflammation, but there is still some risk. The inflammation can make your skin itchy, sensitive, or at increased risk of sunburn.
- Discoloration: Some lasers can affect melanin production in your skin, causing unwanted lightening or darkening. It’s important to choose both the right laser treatment and the right clinic to mitigate this risk.
- Multiple sessions: This is not unique to lasers, but it is something to keep in mind. You will likely need multiple appointments to see the best possible results. This is because large and heavily colored tattoos will need repeated exposure to the laser; aestheticians may also recommend more frequent but less intensive sessions if you have sensitive skin.
The right laser system can address all of these challenges. That’s why Arviv provides laser tattoo removal in Tampa with PicoWay lasers.
Why PicoWay: What PicoWay Lasers Offer Your Skin
Choosing PicoWay laser tattoo removal near you is a better way to remove old tattoos. PicoWay lasers get their name from the pico-second bursts of light they emit. Each beam only lasts a trillionth of a second and is extremely targeted. This means trained technicians can break down the ink in the tattoo with minimal risk of inflaming the surrounding skin or deeper dermal lasers.
PicoWay laser treatments from Arviv also offer the following advantages:
- Quick results: You can see an immediate difference in the visibility of your tattoo. You can see the tattoo mostly fade away after a single treatment, and then subsequent appointments make the ink fade even further.
- Less skin irritation: Get less inflammation, redness, and sensitivity with the precision PicoWay and Arviv offer. We focus the laser specifically on the tattoo, and the microbursts of light break down the ink instead of your dermal layer. This makes the sessions themselves much more pain-free and shortens your recovery time.
- Better skin appearance after the fact: Worry less about unwanted skin lightening and darkening. PicoWay lasers are used for addressing skin lesions and uneven skin pigmentation, even outside of tattoo removal, making them the best option for minimizing side effects.
- Convenience: Squeeze in appointments during your lunch break or while running errands. We can provide treatments in under 20 minutes, so you can schedule tattoo removal any day and see fast progress.
Schedule an Appointment With Arviv Medical Aesthetics
Ready to remove old tattoos and see restored, clear, and even skin? The team at Arviv Medical Aesthetics is here to help you on your journey with convenient and effective laser tattoo removal in Tampa. Book an appointment to get started!
Image Credit: Parilov /Shutterstock
LASER TATTOO REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS
PRE-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS
We cannot treat suntanned or self-tanner/spray-tanned skin due to increased complications. You must wait 2 to 3 weeks until tan coloring fades.
- Keep treated area out of the sun for at least 2 weeks prior to treatment. A minimum SPF30 or greater (UVA/UVB) should be used for any sun exposure during your treatments prior to going outside. Sunblock is preferred to sunscreen. KEEP IT COVERED if in the sun.
- Shave area the day prior to or on the day of the treatment (if applicable).
- To minimize any discomfort, we recommend that you take Tylenol a couple of hours prior to the procedure.
- Pain medications such as Motrin, Aspirin and Alieve thin blood and promote bruising and, therefore, should be avoided 3 to 7 days before treatment.
- No Accutane, Retin-A, Retinols, AHA’s or other topical acid products on the skin.
- Do not consume caffeine or any other stimulating substances the day of treatment.
- Do not have your laser tattoo removal treatment done under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This can cause thinning of the blood, which can lead to increased bleeding and other more serious problems.
- Notify us of any medical changes.
- Treatment can be scheduled 4-6 weeks apart.
POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS
The tattoo removal laser treatment may create a superficial burn wound. There is immediate whitening of the treated area, which usually lasts for several minutes. Then the tattoo will be slightly swollen and look normal in 24 hours. The ink will start to fade in 3-4 weeks. Healing is usually complete within 4 weeks, although this may vary.
- Keep the treated area clean and dry while it is healing. Clean the area gently with soap and water and then pat the area dry. You may apply a thin coating of ointment up to three times a day for 3 days while the area is healing and you should keep the area moist with aquaphor for 48 hours.
- Blistering is may occur and is likely to occur within 8 hours after your treatment. Do not be alarmed as blisters heal very well and are part of the normal healing process. Blisters indicate your body’s immune system is healing the area and beginning to remove the ink from your tattoo. It is natural for blisters to pop, and please continue to cover with a sterile bandage until blisters have healed. Continue to put antibiotic ointment over the blisters once they have popped for at least 24 hours. Avoid pool, hot tub, beack or public water until healed to reduce risk of infections.
- You may apply cool compresses as necessary for 24 hours after the laser treatment to help reduce discomfort and inflammation.
- Do not pick at the scabs, as this may result in infection and scarring. Shaving should be avoided in the treated area until it is completely healed.
- Feel free to shower 2 hours after the treatment, but take care to avoid high pressure water hitting the treated area. Baths, hot tubs, swimming pool, or any form of soaking are not recommended until all blistering and scabbing are completely healed as they may increase the risk of infection.
- Exercise is generally safe after treatment taking into account the other aftercare instructions provided herein.
- Wear a sunblock with an SPF of 30 or higher over the area for duration of 2-3 weeks after the treatment and continuously until you complete all treatments. Do not wear makeup or any cream or medication on or near the treated area unless recommended by our office for 24 hours.
- Itching is very common due to the dehydrating effect of the laser treatment. Use Aquaphor, Vitamin E ointment, or hydrocortisone cream to the treatment area.
- If the area looks infected (honey colored crusting, pus, and oozing or spreading redness), if you experience an unusual discomfort or bleeding, if any other complications develop, or if you have any questions or concerns, contact the office immediately.
- Of course, if you have any extreme reaction, call 911 and to the emergency department.
If any problems should occur after your treatment, the following measures should be taken:
- Inform a representative at our office immediately after a reaction has occurred or within 24 hours of any side effects such as burns, infection, bleeding, allergic reaction, blisters, scabbing, crusting, skin color and/or textural changes. If immediate care is needed, a physician will evaluate the patient and necessary treatment will be provided. If you do not contact the office within 24 hours you will be held liable for any permanent skin changes that may occur. You should wait 12 months before determining that a skin condition is permanent.
- Fill out a form with the physician describing in full detail what type of symptoms or side effects are present. This will be done in ALL cases that have any type of symptoms or side effects.
- All treatments will stop until all issues are resolved and the patient will be reassessed before further treatments will be provided.
- If it is decided by the physician that the client cannot continue treatments, a refund will be provided. If this should occur, the client MUST explain the reasons why he/she does not want to continue their treatments and MUST complete the required form to file a complaint. Each case will be evaluated and addressed individually.
- If I choose to or need to go to another physician for medical treatment rather than Dr. Arviv, I hereby consent to releasing the medical records from that physician/facility to Dr. Arviv, along with photos of my problem.
PicoWay® Laser Tattoo Removal FAQs
We understand that the decision to remove a tattoo can be difficult and complex, so we are here to provide the information you need to make an educated decision. We will answer some of the most commonly asked questions about laser tattoo removal offered in all three Arviv Medical Aesthetics locations.
Is laser tattoo removal safe?
When considering laser tattoo removal, safety is one of the most important factors to consider. Luckily, laser tattoo removal is considered safe. For instance, PicoWay® Laser Tattoo Removal is a revolutionary tattoo removal technique that has been proven to be safe and effective for fading and removing tattoos quickly and with minimal discomfort.
PicoWay® Laser Tattoo Removal works with any skin tone and can be used to remove tattoos of any type and color – even those that other methods may have failed to remove. The PicoWay® laser uses ultra-short pulses of energy to break up the ink particles in your tattoo into tiny fragments. These fragments are then eliminated through your body’s natural elimination processes. This means that the procedure is safe and doesn’t cause any long-term damage to the skin.
How much does laser tattoo removal cost?
The cost of tattoo removal PicoWay® varies depending on several factors, such as the size of the tattoo, the colors used in the tattoo, and how many sessions may be needed to remove it fully.
Generally speaking, the cost of laser tattoo removal can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. If you have questions about the cost of laser tattoo removal, be sure to talk to us about any special offers we may have or the financing options we have available for you.
Is PicoWay® right for me?
Are you looking for an effective laser treatment that is gentle on the skin and requires minimal downtime? PicoWay® may be the right choice for you. This revolutionary tattoo removal method is a great option for those who are looking for a gentle yet effective laser treatment with minimal downtime.
If you are in Tampa and considering tattoo removal, it is important to consult with a PicoWay® treatment provider. During your appointment, the provider will be able to assess your skin’s needs and discuss the potential benefits, risks, and results you may expect from the treatment. They can also explain how the treatment works, answer any questions you have, and provide you with a personalized treatment plan to meet your individual needs.
Who is this procedure not right for?
PicoWay® is an FDA-cleared laser treatment that is commonly used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne scars, wrinkles, and dark spots. While PicoWay® may be effective in some cases, it is not designed for hair removal. Hair removal is a more specialized form of laser treatment and requires a different kind of laser than what is used in PicoWay®.
By talking to a PicoWay® treatment provider, you can be sure that you’re making an informed decision about your treatment. They will be able to evaluate your individual skin type and condition, as well as any other factors that may impact the effectiveness of the treatment for you. They will also be able to recommend the best type of PicoWay® laser for your needs and provide guidance on how to prepare for and care for your skin after the treatment.
How soon can I expect to see results?
If you’re concerned about how long it will take to see results after undergoing tattoo removal, you’ll be pleased to know that you can expect to see results relatively quickly. Depending on the condition you’re treating, you can see initial improvement after just one treatment. For most cases, however, multiple treatments are necessary to achieve the desired results.
The exact number of treatments you’ll need to see full results will depend on a number of factors, including the size, shape, and color of the tattoo, as well as the age and general condition of your skin.
Are you ready to make an appointment with a PicoWay® treatment provider in the Tampa Bay area? Contact the Westchase, Tampa location for Arviv Medical Aesthetics today!