Laser Tattoo Removal
Before and after trreatment Before and after treatment Before treatment After treatment	Tired of that old tattoo?   Arcadia Dermatology can help.  Until recently patients desiring tattoo removal always traded their tattoo for a significant scar. New state-of-the-art Q-Switched laser systems available at Arcadia Dermatology can now remove tattoos with little or no scarring. Professional and amateur tattoos as well as tattoos resulting from accidents (traumatic tattoos) have been treated with gratifying results. Cosmetic tattoos (eye liner, eyebrow and lip liner) can also be removed by laser surgery.   Fees for tattoo removal are per treatment and determined by size, color and complexity.   Decorative tattooing in humans is an ancient art form the origins of which can be traced as far back as the stone and bronze ages. A study conducted in 1991 found that between 9-11% of adult men in the United States have tattoos however greater than 50% regret having them and would seek removal if possible. Unfortunately, at the present time, tattooing remains popular with role models such as athletes and entertainer's, serving as strong impetus for teenagers and young adults seeking tattoos.   Tattoo removal using most non-laser methods, has disadvantages such as incomplete pigment removal, non-selective tissue destruction and unsatisfactory cosmetic results such as atrophic or hypertrophic scarring. At the present time we use the Palomar Q-Switched YAG laser as the work horse of tattoo removal.  Certain ink colors, most often green, do not respond to this laser, however, and may necessitate the use of  a Q-switched Alexandrite laser for complete removal.    These lasers emit a focused beam of light which passes harmlessly through the outer layer of skin and is absorbed primarily by the tattoo ink. The light is converted into heat which breaks the ink into tiny particles. The ink fragments are carried away by the body’s lymphatic system. The tattoo will then fade over a series of treatments.   Laser tattoo removal offers significant advantages over previous methods and is presently the gold standard of treatment. Laser tattoo removal is generally safe and relatively painless when performed by an experienced physician. With all laser procedures, however, there are certain degrees of risk and uncertainty. During an initial consultation, Dr. Henry will evaluate your tattoo, discuss your procedure with you in detail, describing the realistic potential outcome and any possible risks involved. Please call us for your free tattoo removal consultation.