Depending on which survey you read, anywhere from 25-75% of people with tattoos regret getting them. For some, it’s a life-changing regret, while for others, it’s simply an annoyance. But there’s good news: Tattoo removal is easier and more effective than it’s ever been.
Dr. Kevin Jovanovic and Dr. Radoslav Jovanovic are experts in the use of medical laser technology, including using it for tattoo removal. If you have tattoo regret, we may be able to help.
We use the enlighten laser, which targets the dyes in the ink of your tattoo and uses pulses of energy to explode those molecules. Your body’s immune system then removes the particles from your body.
The laser has very precise settings, allowing Dr. Jovanovic to account for the various colors in your tattoo -- generally, darker ink is easier to remove than lighter colors -- and to account for your skin tone. In the past, removing tattoos from darker skin has been more difficult, but the precision of the enlighten laser makes it suitable for all skin tones.
There are quite a few myths when it comes to tattoo removal. We want you to understand both that your tattoo can be removed and that it might be a different process than you imagine.
First, you need to know that the laser isn’t an eraser. As much as we wish it worked that way, it simply doesn’t. As we mentioned above, the energy from the laser explodes the ink molecules and then your body clears away the debris -- and that takes time.
You’ll likely need several treatments spaced out over a few weeks. That gives your immune system time to clear away the particles of ink. Rather than being erased, it’s more like your tattoo will fade with each treatment.
You should also know that tattoo removal isn’t always painless. We do use anesthetic and numbing agents so that you’re comfortable during the process, but just as when you got your tattoo, there’s a period of healing after each laser treatment. It’s not horribly painful, but you may experience some discomfort.
Finally, you should know that the location, size, and the colors of your tattoo all make a difference in how many sessions you’ll need. Before you begin laser treatments, Dr. Jovanovic makes sure you understand approximately how many treatments that will be.
If you have a tattoo that you no longer love, schedule an appointment with Dr. Jovanovic at our New York City office. You may be pleased to learn that it’s not as permanent as you thought.
