Using the PicoSure™ Laser for Tattoo Removal
Unfortunately, life doesn’t come with an “undo” button. Some decisions and actions stick with us for far longer than we’d like, reminding us of something no longer relevant or appropriate. For many such actions, there is simply no way to erase the consequences. However, despite what some people may believe, tattoos do not have to be permanent. If you have a tattoo that you no longer want to be visible, the right laser removal procedure can virtually expunge it altogether.
Of the many skin treatments offered at our clinic, the PicoSure™laser is an especially effective and innovative piece of technology. When you visit our Mandeville office for tattoo removal, you can be sure that you’re receiving the most successful method of treatment possible.
What Is the PicoSure™ Laser?
PicoSure™is a type of pulse laser that is used to remove tattoo ink from skin. Various types of such lasers have existed over the past two decades, but few improvements have been made that are as substantial as those in PicoSure™’s iteration.
Traditionally, two types of tattoo-removal lasers are used. One type utilizes long-pulse lasers, which remove ink by heating the skin and essentially destroying it. The other type of laser, which PicoSure™employs, is called a Q-switch. These lasers use short-waves that travel extremely quickly into the skin, thereby breaking apart the ink and dispersing it. Most Q-switch lasers travel at the rate of nanoseconds, but PicoSure™lasers travel even faster at the rate of picoseconds. This benefits treatment by working more efficiently and effectively. Additionally, the wavelength of the laser is up to 100 times shorter than comparable lasers, ensuring the greatest accuracy possible.
Does PicoSure™ Hurt?
Since all tattoo-removal lasers need to travel beneath the top layer of skin, it is only natural that patients will feel some level of discomfort. However, PicoSure™’s short wavelength and quick pulse allows treatment to be relatively mild when compared to many other lasers. Patients commonly report the feeling being comparable to being snapped by a rubber band. Of course, experiences will likely vary among patients, depending on the size of the tattoo, its location, and the patient’s own sensitivity.
What Are the Side Effects of Treatment?
Other than some discomfort during treatment, patients may experience mild bruising or scarring in place of the tattoo. However, PicoSure™ offers improvements in these areas as well; most patients will see little if any discoloration after the conclusion of treatment. Additionally, patients may experience light bleeding or reddened skin in the area directly after treatment, but these effects are only a temporary response to a small amount of tissue damage.
The Benefits of PicoSure™
By using the PicoSure™ laser for your tattoo removal, you benefit in the following ways:
- Greater degree of removal: PicoSure™ practically eradicates tattoos. Studies show that the average patient will achieve at least 94 percent clearance of a tattoo with blue or green ink, with similarly effective results for other colors.
- Quicker removal: Most tattoos require multiple treatment sessions in order to achieve satisfactory results. With PicoSure™, patients can expect fewer total treatments. After three sessions, most patients see a significant difference, and some can even stop there with satisfaction.
- Less pain: As noted, the PicoSure™ laser employs a wavelength and pulse notably shorter than lasers of the same category. As a result, patients enjoy a more comfortable procedure with fewer overall side effects.
See the Difference for Yourself
Why undergo more pain and time spent under a laser for sub-par results? Try the PicoSure laser at Dr. Boudreaux’s office and benefit from a superior tattoo-removal experience. Contact us to learn more about our various skin treatments or to schedule an appointment with us.