Tattoo removal facts:

Based on a Harris Interactive Poll, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration estimated that as many as 45 million American have at least one tattoo. The Harris poll, conducted in 2003, also showed that 16% of all adults and 36% of people aged 25 to 29 had at least one. But the same poll raised a red flag: 17% of American with tattoos regretted having gotten them. Some of the reasons people want them removed include:

• Having an ex's name tattooed
• Not liking how the tattoo looks in general
• Bride-to-be's not wanting it seen while wearing a wedding dress
• Changes in career status in later years
• Tattoo was a "right of passage" or gang-related choice in earlier life
• Making the space available for a new tattoo

Is there a safe and effective method of tattoo removal?

Until recently, surgical removal was the only effective method of removing tattoos. This method was often painful and carried the risks associated with invasive procedures, such infection, pain, and other post-operative complications. Now there is a way to remove unwanted tattoos without surgery...

Laser Tattoo Removal, available at the Advanced Dermatology Center

Here at the Advanced Dermatology Center we have a very large Laser Center. So we offer laser tattoo removal with specific lasers, including the Q-Switched Nd-Yag (QSNdYag) laser. This has a very high power, but extremely short pulse and is the most effective for tattoo removal. With these we can remove tattoos better, more quickly, more effectively and with fewer treatments.

Download our Patient Handout on Laser Tattoo Removal.

Just how effective can laser tattoo removal be?

See the results of laser tattoo removal for yourself. The following unretouched photos show how effective the treatment can be.
	Photo of tattoo before laser tattoo removal treatment.
	Photo during treatment.
	Photo during treatment.
	Photo during treatment.
	Photo upon completion of laser tattoo removal treatment.

More "before & after" images of laser tattoo removal
Before	After

Another example of laser tattoo removal
Before	After

How does laser tattoo removal work?

The laser light energy helps to break up the ink/pigment particles so your body can more easily remove them.  This causes the tattoo to fade gradually with each treatment.

Are multiple treatments required with laser tattoo removal?

The number of treatments needed and the response to treatment depend on the size, color, depth, location, age, type of pigment and amount of pigment used Some patients are not trying to remove the tattoo and just want us to lighten it; sometimes that’s so they can change it or put on a new one. There are a great many kinds of tattoo inks so some may respond better to one or another frequency. That’s why we have and use multiple lasers, to allow for the most efficient and fastest treatment with the least likelihood of any problem. We’ll be better able to assess that when you come in for your consultation.

Is laser tattoo removal painful?

Tattoo removal can be uncomfortable so we often use an anesthetic, either injected or applied.

Does laser tattoo removal leave any scarring?

This treatment generally leaves less scar than other methods, and in fact there is usually little or no scar.

What skin types can you treat with laser tattoo removal?

We can treat all skin types and patients are usually very happy with this treatment.

If you have a tattoo (or more than one) that you would like removed, call the office of the Advanced Dermatology Center of Columbus, GA at 706.323.1000 to schedule a consultation with Thomas Steinberg, M.D.

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