Removing Unwanted Ink With PicoSure Tattoo Removal
Many individuals get tattoos to express themselves or remind them of a certain time. It’s a representative of their beliefs and passions. However, as time passes, people change and develop a different perception of the ink on their skin.
Surgically removing tattoos is an unnerving option for individuals because of the painful procedures associated with it. Sometimes these treatments leave a permanent scar or result in infections.
Many individuals seek non-invasive treatments to have the ink on their skin removed. This is because these treatments are quick and effective.
Although the feeling of having a tattoo removed through a laser treatment is the same as getting one, the quick treatment ensures that the pain is easier to deal with.
What is PicoSure Tattoo Removal?
PicoSure Tattoo Removal is the world’s first picosecond laser treatment for removing tattoos. Before this type of treatment was introduced, dermatologists used Q-switched laser treatments.
This type of treatment used thermal heat to heat ink particles to destroy them. Despite being considered the ‘gold standard’ procedure a few decades back, Q-switched laser removal did not effectively remove tattoos. It reduced the appearance significantly, but mostly for small tattoos.
Individuals were often required to come back for additional treatments throughout the year to reduce the appearance of the ink.
The PicoSure Tattoo Removal uses ultra-short pulse durations instead of thermal heat to break down the particles of ink. This helps use less energy, resulting in fewer treatments but with almost zero chances of scarring. Because the procedure does not involve heating the skin, no damage is done to the elasticity of the skin.
Most patients do not require local anesthesia during the procedure but it can be administered upon request.
It takes the body 4-8 weeks to absorb the ink’s particles. Every patient responds differently to the treatment. Some patients take time to heal; others take almost no time at all.
Post-treatment protocols are also recommended when necessary to help aid in the healing process. After the treatment, the skin will have a white and “frosty” appearance but that will subside within a couple of days.
For some individuals, there will be mild swelling or redness. This is normal and nothing to be worried about. Your dermatologist will provide you with an application if there is any swelling.
We are a dermatology clinic based in New York. We specialize in non-invasive treatments and offer services for various skin-related conditions. To schedule an appointment, contact us today or call (212) 444-8204.
Arash Akhavan, MD is founder and owner of The Dermatology and Laser Group, one of the top centers for cosmetic procedures in New York City for over a decade. Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD is a Board Certified Dermatologist and an Associate Professor at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Akhavan is a Castle Connolly Top Doc, New York Magazine Best Doctor, and Super Doctor featured in The New York Times. Dr. Akhavan is a key opinion leader that has been featured on hundreds of media publications including The New York Times, Allure, Marie Claire, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, ABC News, Fox News, Fox 5, NY1, WPIX, and more. He has been featured on nationally syndicated television programs such as The Doctors.
Dr. Akhavan serves as an educator and lecturer for multiple aesthetic device and injectable companies. This allows his office access to newer technologies at an earlier date than other offices, as well as a higher level of expertise in the use of these devices. This, in turn, translates to more effective and safer treatments for our patients.
