I Regret My Tattoo: Can You Help?

Body art has become increasingly popular in recent years. One-third of Americans now have a tattoo, and 20% have more than one. 

But what if you have a tattoo that no longer represents who you are? Perhaps you have the name of an ex-boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse on your arm. Maybe you made a statement on your back that suited you at the time, but now doesn’t portray your views. 

Now you’re wondering if what you meant to be permanent body art can be removed. The answer is yes, thanks to modern laser technology. Dr. Matthew Baker, board-certified plastic surgeon with H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery, can remove your tattoo.   

What do you use to remove my tattoo? 

Your tattoo is composed of ink particles. They stay on your skin because of their large size; your immune system can’t break them down and remove them. 

Dr. Baker uses a special laser, the PicoSure, that breaks down the ink particles, which lie beneath the surface of your skin. Laser technology is the best way to remove a tattoo. In the past, surgical excision or chemical peels were used, but those methods leave scars. 

What happens during tattoo removal? 

We provide you with an eye shield before beginning the procedure. We also apply a numbing gel on the area to be treated to ease discomfort. 

Next, Dr. Baker tests the way your skin reacts to the laser to determine the most effective energy setting for the treatment. Dr. Baker adjusts the settings to your skin and places the handheld laser device against your skin. 

The laser sends pulses of light energy into your skin very rapidly. The movement is so rapid that its speed sounds like something out of a science fiction film. The laser shoots pulses of light in picoseconds, or one trillionth of a second. The force of its energy breaks up the ink under your skin. The PicoSure laser works so fast that you don’t sustain damage to the skin around the tattoo. 

After the laser breaks down the ink particles into smaller bits, your body’s lymph system eliminates them over a number of weeks.  

Why do you use a PicoSure laser? 

In the past, lasers weren’t that effective when used on certain colors of skin. Some weren’t very effective in removing certain colors. 

The PicoSure laser is effective on all skin types and all types of tattoos. This laser will help remove your tattoo even if you’ve tried tattoo removal previously and now your tattoo is simply faded. It works on all tattoo colors. 

How long does it take to remove my tattoo?

Each tattoo is unique. Removing an average tattoo takes about 10 minutes. If your tattoo is large, it takes longer. 

How many tattoo removal sessions do I need? 

The number of sessions you need depends on the type of ink in your tattoo, its size, and its location on your body. Tattoos on the face, neck, and back are easier to remove than those on your hands, feet, or legs, because the former areas have adequate blood flow to help clear out the ink. Dr. Baker can answer this question about your tattoo during your initial appointment. 

Removing a tattoo does take patience. There’s a waiting period between sessions while your body’s immune system removes the ink.  

H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery today if you would like us to remove your tattoo. You can also send a message to our office in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.