Tattoo Removal Options

With the wonderful advancement of technology in the last decade, medicine and surgical procedures have changed drastically, and for the better.  We also know that people have changed drastically and are wanting to change the decisions they once thought were permanent, like tattoos.  Depending on the method of tattoo removal, there are several risks and considerations to be looked into.   We cannot say that laser tattoo removal is the best way to remove a tattoo, however, we can tell you it is an excellent option with many pros.  This blog post will share with you the different methods and procedures of tattoo removal processes and perhaps you will be able to make a better decision for yourself as to which route is best for you.

Excision:

Excision is surgical removal of the skin when the tattoo is located.    After the tattoo is surgically cut out, the skin is drawn together and stitched up.  Excision is not typically recommended for very large tattoos because it can leave a very large scar.  It also causes heavy bleeding depending on the size and location of the tattoos.  Also, because the skin is being surgically cut into, there is a risk of infection developing because the wound is open to bacteria.  The benefit of excision, however, is that it is a one step process and it removes the tattoo completely.  However, instead of faint tattoo image, you will probably be reminded that tattoo was once there due the the scar left behind.

Cryosurgery:

With Cryosurgery, doctors use liquid nitrogen to freeze the area of skin the tattoo is located.  By freezing the skin, the skin cells are destroyed and it causes the skin to peel away and removes the colored pigment.  As the new skin cells grow in, it pushed out the pigmented skin.  Because this tattoo removal procedure is very similar to that of frostbite, it is known to damage the surrounding skin tissue and not just the area of the tattoo.  Not only that, cryosurgery can change the skin color of the area that was frozen.

Dermabrasion:

Dermabrasion involves a process where the doctor uses an abrasive tool that removes layers of skin where the tattoo is located in a way that can be compared to as “sanding down” the skin.  Many patients compare the process as if the skin is being burned off in that location and have noticed that the skin touched by the abrasive tool tends to become very sensitive and their skin color changes as well.  The color of the skin and sensitivity of the skin can last weeks to months until the skin repairs itself.  Dermabrasion can lead to permanent lighter or darker skin known as hyper/hypopigmentation.

Laser Tattoo Removal:

With laser tattoo removal, a laser specifically targets and breaks up ink particles beneath the skin.  Lasers are much more power and better than lasers in the past.  ERASE uses the Asclepion TattooStar Effect laser, which makes the laser removal process much quicker and more effective than in the past.  The laser tattoo removal procedure is much less risky than the methods listed above because there are less complication, scarring and bleeding.  However, patients can expect to see some swelling and blisters after each treatment and treatment sessions should be about 8 weeks apart.  The benefit of laser tattoo removal is that is can be much more cost effective dependent on the size and colors in the tattoo and leave little to no scarring at all depending on how you care for the skin between and after treatments. 

Before you decide on any tattoo removal procedure, we sincerely hope you do the research and contact experts to gain certified and honest information.  If you have any questions about laser tattoo removal or our R20 laser tattoo removal procedure, please feel free to contact our laser tattoo removal studio in Oak Brook.

After Care Tips Between Laser Tattoo Removal Sessions

After receiving a laser removal treatment, our patients can expect to see some blisters, crusts or scabs beginning to develop between 8 and 72 hours after the treatment.  It is very rare for scarring to occur, and often times, the scarring after having a tattoo removed is due to lack of care between treatments.  To ensure that your tattoo removal sessions are moving along quickly, our laser tattoo removal studio in Chicago has some aftercare tips that you should take into consideration to best protect and heal your skin.

1.     Please be sure to use the over-the-counter antibiotic ointment (Neosporin), we provide you after your laser treatment.  It is important that you apply the ointment to your skin three times daily and to keep your tattoo covered with a bandage for at least 3 days. By doing this, you are protecting your damaged and weak skin from infection.  After those three days have passed, you MUST removed the bandage and expose your skin to the air.  The air will help heal and dry out the area exposed to the laser and prepare you for the next treatment.  You can expect the scabbing to last for 1 to 2 weeks.  We know the scabbing is not pretty and you may want to hide the area and keep it bandaged, but it is best to keep the area exposed after the first 3 days of treatment.

2.     Do not be alarmed by blisters.  Blisters typically appear 8 hours or so after your laser tattoo removal session.   Blisters are part of the healing process and they heal well.  When a blister forms, this indicated that your immune system is beginning to remove the ink in your skin and trying to heal.

3.     Do NOT pick the scabs, blisters, or crusts that form after your laser tattoo removal treatment.  Picking at the skin directly relates to any scarring that may occur.  Allow your skin to naturally heal itself and for the scabs and crusts to fall off when they are ready.  Pealing off scabs that are not ready to be removed can result in infection and scarring/pigment discoloration of your skin.

4.     If you are experiencing any type of discomfort or inflammation after having a tattoo removed you can take Tylenol and also apply an ice pack 24 hours after the session.  

5.     Wear sunblock to protect the area of your skin that received treatment for at least 3 months after each session.  Do not apply make-up or anything that may irritate the healing area.  Scented lotions tend to irritate healing skin.

6.     You may shower 2 hours after receiving tattoo removal.  However, it is strongly advised that you do not allow high pulsating water to hit the newly treated skin.  It is also recommended that you do not swim, soak in a bath or hut tub until after scabs and blisters are healed.  These areas of water contain a lot of bacteria that can cause infection and scarring.

7.     If you are experiencing any other discomfort than what is listed above, mild bruising, or tingling sensations similar to sunburn after your tattoo removal procedure, be sure to contact the studio who provided the treatment immediately or go see a doctor immediately. 

If you have any questions about having tattoos removed or would like to schedule a consultation with our laser tattoo removal studio in Oak Brook, please feel free to contact us today.

How To Choose A Tattoo Design

 

As experts in tattoo removal techniques, we have seen a variety of tattoos come in both large and small, colorful and dark, poorly done and done with finesse.  Although our Chicago laser tattoo removal studio is open for your business at any point, we hate to see people come in with tattoos they have lived with in embarrassment for most of their lives or for any time at all.  To prevent you from having to come see us, we are going to share some tips with you which deciding on whether or not you should get a tattoo before you have to decide whether or not you are going to need to remove a tattoo.

No Rash Decisions:

Typically, our laser tattoo removal studio in Oak Brook has found that many of the tattoos that come in needing to be removed are due to the tattoos being done spontaneously due to a dare, vacation, rebellion, or because you decided you would get a tattoo while your boyfriend/girlfriend or friend was getting one done.  If you are not taking the time to flesh out your tattoo choice, chances are, your tattoo artist has not either.  Not to mention, if you are coming in drunk and are too unconscious to realize that a word is spelled wrong, you are headed to a regretful mistake.  So please try to avoid abrupt tattoo choices, they are meant to be permanent. 

Consider Placement:

When deciding on a tattoo, the placement of the tattoo is almost as important as the design of the tattoo itself.  When considering the placement, you need to take into account whether you want it to be visible to others at all times, if you want to be able to hide it sometimes, or if it is in a place that cannot be hidden or the tattoo itself is too large to hide.  We advise women to take into consideration placements of tattoos that are visible when wearing a dress.  Our tattoo removal studio also recommends that both men and women to take into consideration whether their tattoo will be exposed when in their work uniform and whether their job allows for visible tattoos to be exposed. 

Don’t Rush Your Decision:

If you are rushing your decision, chances are, you also rushed your tattoo artist.  Slow down!  If you are getting a tattoo, there is no reason you need to feel rushed or pressured.  The plan for this tattoo is for you to live with it the rest of your life and it will also be a reflection of who you are.  So for your sake and the sake of you having to have a tattoo removed, think twice and rethink your design, placement, and purpose of the tattoo.

Research Your Tattoo Artist:

Our laser tattoo removal studio in Chicagoland knows there are hundred of tattoo parlors in the area.  Just because they have a license to ink your body does not mean they are good enough or the right artist to tattoo your specific design.  Many tattoo artists have specialties; research an artist that is great for your design.  If you’re not sure about an artist, ask to see a portfolio.  Better yet, ask them to make a custom design so you can see their skill set first hand.  Your tattoo should be special to you, make sure your design is unique and nothing less than perfect for you.

We could go on for hours about the stories we have heard for tattoo removal reasons, but we would won’t because we would rather see people happy with their tattoos than embarrassed and in desperate need to visit our tattoo removal studio.  If you have any questions about your tattoo design and what the tattoo removal process is like, contact us today!

Laser Tattoo Removal Myths and Facts

Our laser tattoo removal studio in Oak Brook knows how often parents remind their teens that tattoos are permanent.  We either need to make sure that we make a wise choice about our tattoo or to not get one at all.  Although tattoos are permanent to your skin, they are not permanent when undergoing laser tattoo removal.  ERASE’s tattooremoval procedure is performed by professional who use the Asclepion TattooStar Effect Laser to break up ink pigment with pulses of high-intensity energy. 

Tattoo removal techniques have changed drastically in the last decade and our R20 laser tattoo removal procedure is considered the most effective way to remove tattoos and tattoo ink.  We have heard many myths and misconceptions about tattoo removal procedures and we would like to share the myths and provide you with the facts.

Laser Tattoo Removal Creates Scars: 

Our procedure does not leave any visible scarring in the way that dermabarasion and skin grafting does. We realize that older models may cause some scarring, however, modern machines are much safer for the skin.  We use the Asclepion TattooStar Effect Laser to prevent causing noticeable scars. 

Removal of Tattoos is Painful:

Most often, the process of removing a tattoo is similar to the feeling of being sunburnt or a burning sensation.  We do admit that there may be some discomfort associated when removing tattoos.  If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, our tattoo removal specialist can apply a topical numbing cream to ease the process for you.

Getting Tattoos Removed is Expensive:

Laser tattoo removal is proven to be the best value in terms of effectiveness and safety of your body.  The price of having a tattoo removed is dependent upon a large number of factors like the amount of color, the size, and the location of the tattoo. 

The Laser Tattoo Removal Process is Lengthy:

Typically, full tattoo removal can often be achieved in 5-12 sessions, spaced out every 6-8 weeks. Most tattoos require a full year for complete removal. Some patients may be eligible for the R20 tattoo removal method, which removes tattoos in a shorter period of time than traditional laser tattoo removal. The R20 tattoo removal procedure stacks up to four treatments into one session to remove and lighten tattoos.

So if you were reconsidering removing a tattoo because of any of the rumors above, rest assured that they are just rumors.  If you have any other questions or concerns about laser tattoo removal please feel free to call our studio or schedule an appointment for a consultation.  There’s no reason to fear the permanence of tattoos anymore with the R20 procedure and use of the Asclepion TattooStar Effect Laser.  

When People Change, Tattoos Change

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As professionals in tattoo removal in Chicago, we understand that people change and that things we once thought were great ideas are not such wonderful ideas as we get older.  We recognize that our society has begun to accept the presence of piercings and tattoos on various places of our bodies.  Regardless of tattoos being more socially acceptable, perhaps your tattoo was significant for something that meant something to you in the past and no longer does now, or you got a silly tattoo based on a bet.  Or perhaps you were young and got a tattoo in a place on your body that is not easily covered and you are about to begin a new job that does not allow any tattoo exposure.  The older we get, the more our bodies change, our personalities change, and social norms change.  So we understand that you might be at that stage in your life where you are contemplating getting tattoos removed.

If you want to remove a tattoo, we hope that you choose our laser tattoo removal studio in Oak Brook.  Our tattoo removal methods are ahead of all tattoo removal studios in the Chicagoland area.  The R20 procedure offered at ERASE has the ability to cut down how many sessions anyone needs to remove or lighten his or her tattoo.  The R20 laser tattoo removal procedure stacks about four treatments into one session.  We can guarantee that you will see results in your very first session.

There’s no reason to be ashamed of your tattoos but there’s no reason for you to feel like you are trapped behind the appearance of a tattoo from your youth.  Don’t hide behind long-sleeve shirts on hot days and be forced to wear dress slacks at work when you’d like to wear a skirt or a pair of shorts.  Trust us and our tattoo removal techniques. 

Today’s technology has changed drastically from tattoo removal methods that have been used in the past.  Our laser, the Asclepion TattooStar Effect Laser is known for removing tattoos in record time and leaving no scars.  Not to mention, laser tattoo removal is not nearly as expensive as surgical removals. 

No matter what the reason is, laser tattoo removal is a great option for those patients looking to remove tattoos.  Having a tattoo removed is a big decision, so schedule a consultation with a laser tattoo removal studio before making your decision.  

If you have any questions for us, please feel free to comment below or feel free to contact us.