Do you have tattoo regret?  When you want to remove tattoos that no longer fit your personality or lifestyle, you should seek the advice and experience of a board-certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Elliott Black or Dr. Summer Black, in Metairie, LA.  Our surgeons will gladly analyze your skin and come up with a plan to rid you of your unwanted body art.

At Dr. Black Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, we use the Spectrum Q-switched 1064nm/532nm laser to break up ink fragments into particals that are able to be removed over time by the bodies natural immune system.  The laser will naturally fade the color of the tattoo over time.  Multiple treatments are usually required but laser tattoo removal is safe and quick, and in most cases, doesn’t leave a scar.  This Q-switched laser is effective on all skin types.  If you would like to learn more about how to restore your skin before that tattoo, call and schedule a private consultation with one of our plastic surgeons today.  

Patients, who practice protective skincare (sun block and limited sun exposure), make great candidates for laser tattoo removal.  Our laser will work on all skin colors, as the technology will accommodate the different types and tones of skin color.  There are other limitations to who can or cannot have laser tattoo removal, but our plastic surgeon will discuss your qualifications at a private consultation, and may need to suggest other possible treatments.

Once you are cleared for the laser tattoo removal process, we will begin your treatment sessions.  We  will clean the area of your skin where the tattoo is located.  The laser will then pass over the surface of the tattoo with an emitting laser or pulsed light.  Depending on the size and color of your body art, you may have a very short treatment time, or an extended length of time to cover the area.  If you are unable to tolerate the pain of the laser on your skin (it will sting), we can offer you a topical anesthetic cream to limit the pain.  Once the laser treatment is over, an ointment is applied to the skin with a bandage to keep it protected.  This process may need to be repeated multiple times to be effective, and our plastic surgeon can discuss that with you at the consultation.

When multiple treatments are required (2 – 15), you will not have them all at once.  We will need to schedule them 4 – 7 weeks apart.  The visibility of the tattoo will decrease with each laser treatment session.  Many patients experience some swelling, redness, and sensitivity to the area treated.  It may also feel like you have a sunburn, with the skin crusting on the surface.  The area will also itch as it heals.  Be very careful not to damage the area with scratching.

If laser treatments are not effective in removing your tattoo, our plastic surgeon can make suggestions that may make a bigger impact.  From the most invasive (surgical excision) to less invasive laser treatments, we will provide a treatment plan that best suits your needs.

Think of laser tattoo removal as a second chance for a clean slate.  At Dr. Black Plastic and Cosmetic surgery office, we have an experienced, compassionate staff, who can help you reveal your skin without the body art.  If you are considering tattoo removal like the many men and women that have visited us from New Orleans, Metairie, Houma, Baton Rouge, Mandeville, Covington and beyond please come in for a free consultation.  Call today and schedule a consultation. We would be happy to help.