Laser Tattoo Removal
LASER TATTOO REMOVAL SERVICES IN CHICAGO, IL
People get tattoos for a variety of reasons, from commemoration of special events in their life to the desire to express themselves uniquely, and even on impulse. Getting a tattoo is so popular that around 45 million Americans have one tattoo or more.
While at the time, a tattoo can seem like a wonderful expression, later in life many people find that they regret the decision or become self-conscious because the shape and styling of the tattoo is no longer as prominent as it once was.
WHAT IS LASER TATTOO REMOVAL?
Tattoo removal comes in many forms, from excision to salabrasion and dermabrasion – for as long as there have been tattoos, there has been multiple ways to remove them. However, not all techniques are safe, quick, or successful. This is why, at the Kovak Cosmetic Center, we specialize in advanced laser tattoo removal.
Laser tattoo removal began in the 1960s, when the first reported experiments into the effects of lasers on tattoos took place. Early experiments had limited success, but over the years, a greater understanding of laser tattoo removal has emerged. For a successful tattoo removal with a laser, there are four factors that are essential:
• The pigment of the tattoo must be heated with every pulse of the laser to cause it to fragment.
• The tattoo pigment must absorb more light from the laser than skin.
• The light color has to reach the pigment, which means that it needs suitable penetration.
• The duration of the laser pulse has to be short; just enough to heat the pigment.
Today, laser tattoo removal has come a long way, to establish itself as one of the best methods for safe and successful tattoo removal. Modern lasers use light to break down the pigment from the tattoo into very small fragments, where they then disperse harmlessly into the bloodstream and eventually leave the body.
Over a course of multiple treatments, more and more of the pigment is removed until as much of the tattoo as possible is removed. Results can vary, but in many cases the tattoo can be faded enough to be replaced or almost completely removed.
If you’re considering laser tattoo removal, then it’s imperative that you speak to a professional at the Kovak Cosmetic Center and book a consultation. While this is not a surgical treatment, it still needs to be performed in a professional setting by experts who have the right medical lasers for the treatment.
PICOWAY MEDICAL LASER TATTOO REMOVAL CHICAGO
Depending on which center that you visit for laser tattoo removal, the laser that’s used will vary. Common lasers include the PicoSure laser and the Q-Switch laser. At the Kovak Cosmetic Center, we use the PicoWay laser, one of the most advanced laser removal technologies that’s far superior to the competition.Â
The PicoWay laser utilizes picosecond technology, which means that the energy that the laser outputs to fragment pigments lasts for a trillionth of a second, but the energy bursts are constant. There are many benefits to using this laser for tattoo removal, particularly as it delivers outstanding results very quickly.
This type of laser has exceptional power, with a peak power of more than twice the PicoSure laser, has a shorter duration of pulse, and the system has three different wavelengths. This means that the laser is more effective, the pigments are shattered into smaller molecules, and a wider range of colors can be removed by the laser.
When you choose the Kovak Cosmetic Center for your laser tattoo removal, you’re getting the perfect combination of exceptional technology and expertise, with treatment that’s more comfortable and delivers better results.
With the new technology slicing the time it takes to remove a tattoo in half, it’s now easier than ever before to get rid of old tattoos safely, successfully, and quickly.
WHY DO PEOPLE CHOOSE LASER TATTOO REMOVAL AND WHO IS IT SUITABLE FOR?
Getting a tattoo removed can be an easy or difficult decision, it really varies from person to person. The same can be said about the reasons why many people choose to have their tattoos removed, it can be a very personal choice. Some reasons include:
• Regret over the choice of tattoo
• Embarrassment over the choice of tattoo
• The placement of the tattoo is affecting a person’s ability to get a job
• There have been changes to a person’s body, and the tattoo no longer looks the same
• The tattoo has started to fade and no longer looks as good as it once did
• A person no longer feels an emotional connection to the writing on the tattoo
Laser tattoo removal is a treatment that can be undertaken by a large number of people. It’s a non-invasive treatment, has a high success rate, and is not as painful as many people initially believe.
However, for people with darker skin tones, the decision to have a tattoo removed can be a little more difficult, as there’s a risk of what is known as the ‘ghosting effect’. This is where the skin where tattoo has been removed from becomes lighter than the skin around it.
During pregnancy, laser tattoo removal isn’t suitable, and you’ll have to provide your medical history before the treatments can begin. If there are any changes to your medical history during the treatment program, this will also need to be mentioned to ensure that the treatment is always safe for you.
If you’re concerned about whether laser tattoo removal is the right choice for you or not, then booking a consultation with an expert at the Kovak Cosmetic Center in Chicago should be your first move. During the consultation, you’ll be able to discuss the whole procedure, and clear up any worries that you may have.
THE LASER TATTOO REMOVAL PROCEDURE AT THE KOVAK COSMETIC CENTER
Understanding what the procedure for laser tattoo removal entails can help to ease any worries about what you can expect and get you ready to take the plunge and talk to an expert about having your tattoo removed.
YOUR CONSULTATION
At the Kovak Cosmetic Center, every treatment that we provide starts with an initial consultation, which is where you get the chance to air your concerns about the treatment and speak to a professional about the whole process.
During your consultation at the Kovak Cosmetic Center, you can discuss your suitability for having laser tattoo removal, get an understanding of the expected results, learn more about the time frame involved in tattoo removal, and speak to an expert about the best options for you going forwards.
Our friendly consultants aim to create a safe and comfortable environment where you can feel relaxed, before, during, and after your treatment. We never judge, so you don’t have to be worried about any embarrassment over your tattoo.
PREPARING FOR THE TREATMENT
Prior to your arrival at the center to start your treatment, the tattoo area should be free of hair and any products, including lotion or make-up. You should also make sure that the area is clean and can easily be exposed during the treatment.
Before the main part of the treatment can begin, there’s a small amount of preparation required. The area that is to be worked on will be cleansed, photographs will be taken, and a topical anesthetic cream may also be applied if you request it. The topical anesthetic will take some of the sting out of the laser, making it much easier to relax during the treatment.
THE TREATMENT
Once the area is prepared, the treatment will begin. This can be as short as 3-5 minutes for a quarter-sized tattoo, or longer, depending on the color of the tattoo and the exact size.
During the treatment, you’ll be asked to relax as the laser slowly glides over the tattoo surface. As soon as the surface of the tattoo has been covered by the laser, the main part of the treatment will come to an end, and an ointment will be carefully rubbed into the area to keep it moist before a protective dressing is applied.
This procedure will need to be repeated multiple times. The exact number of times will vary, but often it’s between 6 and 10. Roughly every 4 to 6 weeks a new appointment will be secluded until either the tattoo has been completely removed or faded enough that new body art can be used to cover it.
AFTER THE TREATMENT
Once the treatment has finished, and the protective covering has been applied, you may start to notice that the area becomes sore. The after-treatment experience differs from patient to patient, but immediately after the treatment swelling, bleeding, or blistering is common.
LASER TATTOO REMOVAL – FAQ
If you’re still unsure about laser tattoo removal, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about the treatment and the expected results:
The time span of laser tattoo removal will change depending on the success of each treatment, the depth of the pigments, the color and size of the tattoos. Using the PicoWay laser, tattoo removal is much faster, but you can still expect the treatments to last for several months. Normally, between 6 and 10 treatments will be required, with each one being scheduled about 4 to 6 weeks apart.
Pain is one of the biggest concerns of people looking to have their tattoos removed, but the treatment is not as painful as many people expect. The feeling of laser tattoo removal is very similar to a rubber band snap. If the concern of pain is preventing you from seeking treatment for tattoo removal, then topical anesthetic cream is an option, which can lower the pain felt during each treatment session.
Immediately after the treatment the skin will be sore and perhaps even blistered, but this does not last for long. The final results of the treatment vary, but it is possible for complete tattoo removal in some cases. Damage to the skin is incredibly rare, as there’s only very minimal side-effects to having laser tattoo removal treatment. With proper care of the treated areas and high-quality treatment using advanced lasers, there’s only a very small risk of scarring.
Selective tattoo removal is when only a section of a tattoo is removed instead of the whole tattoo. This is a popular option for people who want to remove names from their tattoos without removing the entire tattoo. In many cases it’s possible to have selective tattoo removal, or have tattoo removal to fade existing tattoos, instead of completely removing them.
While the concept of lasers can be worrying, laser tattoo removal is very safe. The laser is designed to target the pigment of the tattoo only, not the skin. This means that the skin won’t suffer from any lasting damage and the pigment from the tattoo is safely absorbed.
CHOOSING THE KOVAK COSMETIC CENTER FOR YOUR TATTOO REMOVAL
At the Kovak Cosmetic Center in Chicago, we take pride in all of our exceptional cosmetic treatments, including our laser tattoo removal treatments. By investing in the best equipment and combining it with expertise in all areas of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatment, we strive to provide every person who walks through our doors with the best possible treatment in the Chicago area.
We understand that getting a tattoo removed can be a daunting prospect, so when you choose the Kovak Cosmetic Center, we make the experience as comfortable and relaxing as possible. Our doctors are on hand to walk you through the whole procedure, our advanced technology will make the removal as effective as possible, and our after-treatment care will help you through your recovery.
Ready to learn more about the wonderful benefits of advanced laser tattoo removal? Contact the friendly team at the Kovak Cosmetic Center today and book your initial consultation with one of our resident cosmetic experts.
BEFORE AND AFTER
Browse work performed on current and past Kovak patients.
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