Laser Tattoo Removal
The art of tattoo removal is almost as old as the art of tattooing. Many methods of tattoo removal have been used in the past, but they have proven to do more harm than good.
People have tried to bleach their skin or scratch off the tattoo, which does terrible damage. There is dermabrasion, where caustic materials such as acid or sandpaper are used on the skin. This results in scarring and usually looks worse than the original tattoo.
Another way that people have removed their tattoos is through surgical excision (cutting the tattoo from the skin). This is only slightly better than dermabrasion, but it is also painful, difficult, and it leaves scars. You may have seen creams advertised, which if applied to the skin, make tattoos fade. The creams may lighten your skin, but they do not remove tattoo ink.
In addition to these treatments, lasers have been used for tattoo removal since the 1980s. The first one available, the CO2 laser, works by destroying cells through vaporizing the water molecules in the skin. This technique is much like dermabrasion. It is very painful, causes significant scarring, and leaves pigment behind.
Since there are so many methods of tattoo removal that are not effective, technology has had to catch up with the growing needs of people who desire effective, non-scarring treatments. Q-switching, a recently developed laser technology, delivers these results. LoneStar Laser Clinic is the only facility in Texas using both the EO Q-Switched Nd: Yag Laser with PTP (RevLite) and Q-Switched Nd: Yag Laser (MedLite). These lasers are effective against a broader range of colors than any other laser and is extremely safe. The Q-switched laser works by delivering light at incredibly high energy for a tiny fraction of a second onto the skin. This selectively breaks up large molecules, such as tattoo pigments, and causes very little damage to surrounding tissues. The laser can also be used to remove freckles, age spots, unwanted hair, and pigmented lesions such as Mongolian spots. There is virtually no scarring or change in natural skin pigment. LoneStar Laser Clinic uses the RevLite and Medlite C6 lasers for their safety, effectiveness, speed of operation and proven track record. You will not believe the results! We feel that these lasers are a miracle of modern technology, and we are proud to offer this much needed service to the public.
Click here to see a laser tattoo removal procedure.
For more information, please see Tattoo Removal FAQ's.