About Laser Tattoo Removal
Dr. Calloway performs advanced, noninvasive tattoo removal using the Astanza Duality laser. This innovative procedure uses safe light energy to penetrate deep into the skin and shatter unwanted ink without harming any surrounding skin tissue.
During a treatment, Dr. Calloway will use customized laser protocols to best treat your unique skin type and tattoo. The laser will release ultra-quick flashes of light onto the unwanted ink. The tattoo ink particles that make up a tattoo will absorb the light energy, heat up, and shatter into small fragments. These fragmented particles are small enough for your body’s immune system to consume and naturally dispose of through your lymphatic system.
Multiple treatments are necessary to completely remove a tattoo. Each treatment with the laser targets the shallowest layer of ink and works its way down, breaking up the ink into smaller ink particle fragments each session, effectively speeding up the natural fading process carried out by your immune system. You will witness your tattoo rapidly fade with each additional treatment until no ink is visible.
Treatments are spaced a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks apart to give your skin enough time to heal between sessions. Patients are strongly advised to carry out aftercare instructions outside of our office. Proper aftercare ensures the best results for your skin and fights against unwanted infection and side effects.
The Astanza Duality Laser
Dr. Calloway has invested in the industry-leading Astanza Duality laser to perform laser tattoo removal treatments. This dual-wavelength Q-switched Nd:YAG laser delivers groundbreaking results on a wide range of tattoo colors. Utilizing 1064 nm and 532 nm wavelengths, the laser provides complete removal of the most popular inks like black, red, and more. The laser is FDA-approved and trusted by the top laser tattoo removal clinics worldwide.
The laser uses ultra-short pulse duration combined with high pulse energy to deliver immense power for optimal ink shattering and faster removal. This technology is designed to shatter more ink with each session, speeding up the overall removal of your tattoo. This state-of-the-art laser is equipped with a flat-top profile beam for safer energy application and a reduced risk of unwanted side effects. This homogenized flat-top profile beam uses a unique square-spot beam to avoid treatment overlap, making it safer to use on darker skin types.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many treatments will I need?
The average number of treatments needed to completely remove a tattoo is between 5 to 10. Patients interested in lightening their tattoo for a cover-up may need only 3 to 4 treatments. The number of treatments needed is unique to each patient and their tattoo. Dr. Calloway will assess your tattoo using a variety of factors to best determine the number of treatments you will need. These factors include patient health, pre-existing scarring, age, size, and location of the tattoo, the ink colors used in the tattoo, the density of ink, and more. Because every tattoo and every patient is different, the number of treatments needed will vary depending on each patient’s situation.
How long does it take to see results?
Patients will see significant fading in their first treatments. Each session with the laser breaks down more ink and speeds up the fading process. Treatment sessions are spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart to give your skin time to heal before the next laser session. This waiting period combined with the number of treatments your unique tattoo will need will determine how long it will take to see complete removal results.
Luckily, laser tattoo removal sessions are very quick and last anywhere from 1 to 20 minutes based on the size of the tattoo being treated.
Are there any side effects?
Laser tattoo removal is the safest method for removing unwanted ink. As long as proper aftercare is applied, patients will experience flawless results with no scarring. The most common side effects of this procedure are temporary itchiness, redness, swelling, bruising, blistering, and scabbing. All of these side effects will heal over the weeks following a treatment.
Can you fade my tattoo for a cover-up tattoo?
Yes! Dr. Calloway performs a variety of laser tattoo removal procedures, including complete tattoo removal, selective removal, and fading for cover-up tattoos. Many patients want to remove a name from a tattoo without affecting the surrounding ink. Our laser can selectively remove portions of a tattoo while leaving the rest of the tattoo untouched. Dr. Calloway can also lighten a tattoo in preparation for a cover-up. Lightening a tattoo can give patients more flexibility when choosing a cover-up tattoo and also makes it easier for your tattoo artist to apply a new piece of art.
Does laser tattoo removal hurt?
Laser tattoo removal is a very tolerable procedure. Our office uses special skin numbing solutions to make treatments more comfortable for you. Luckily, laser tattoo removal sessions are very quick and last anywhere from 1 to 20 minutes based on the size of the tattoo being treated.
Before and After Images
