+ What laser do you use?

We proudly use the Alex TriVantage® by Candela. Our device treats multicolor tattoos, featuring three nanosecond wavelengths to treat a broad range of tattoos: 755 nm, Q-switched Alexandrite laser plus 1064 nm and 532 nm, Q-switched Nd:YAG wavelengths.

Read More about our Laser.

+ Does tattoo removal cause cancer?

Short answer: No. Longer answer: According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, laser tattoo removal poses no known risk for cancer. Lasers used for tattoo removal do not emit UV rays (Ultraviolet radiation), which can increase the risk of skin cancer.

+ How does tattoo removal work?

Tattoo removal is achieved by using lasers to fracture large pigment particles into smaller pieces so the immune system can more easily remove them. What happens in the treatment room is just the fracturing portion of removal, the actual removal portion happens over a period of time as your lymphatic system does the work! See more on our blog, How Does Tattoo Removal Work?

+ Will tattoo removal leave a scar?

Any scarring that remains after a tattoo removal procedure is often left over from when the tattoo was originally applied by the tattoo artist - we call this a "shadow tattoo". We also offer microneedling which can help with scar revision after full removal, check out our advanced esthetic services here.

+ Does it hurt?

Everyone is different, but yes, clients can experience discomfort that is usually described as a rubber band snap or a hot oil pop. We direct freezing cold air (-30°C) on the site to reduce pain, as well as offering retail numbing cream for pre-treatment.

+ Do you perform tattoo removal on dark skin?

Yes! We perform tattoo removal on higher Fitzpatrick Skin Types with our Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser utilizing the wavelength of 1064 nm with settings that are lower power and longer pulse durations to avoid complications such as hypopigmentation and scarring. Treatments are spaced 12 weeks apart to ensure skin health and recovery before additional treatments to avoid damaging melanin production on darker skin types. We also recommend using a tyrosinase inhibitor (which we retail) twice daily for 1-2 weeks prior to the laser procedure. We suggest this because quieting melanin production by inhibiting tyrosinase seems to decrease the incidence of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation after laser procedures. For more info on treating skin of color with tattoo removal check out this great YouTube video from Doctor Glenn Messina who also treats patients with a Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser utilizing the wavelength of 1064 nm with his patients. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q6_xEzkb5E

+ How many sessions will I need?

Every tattoo is unique, treatments fit along a bell curve – most patients will need between 5 and 8 treatments, some will see complete removal in 3 or 4, and others may need 10-12 treatments for complete removal. Again, every tattoo is unique and some may require more treatments, while others will require less. tattoos that will be covered up require an average of 2-5 sessions of removal, and we can be in close contact with you and your artist every step of the way to make sure we get your piece faded to a point where they feel confident executing your new piece.

Read More About Tattoo Removal Sessions

The number of sessions needed to remove a tattoo depends on Many factors: Fitzpatrick skin type, Tattoo layering (if the tattoo is a cover-up), Location on the body, Ink colors, Amount of ink (vividness of tattoo, if it was professionally applied), how old the tattoo is, lifestyle, & Pre-existing scarring.

• Fitzpatrick skin type: Laser tattoo removal on dark skin will always take longer to achieve successful results. Skin color is defined as the amount of melanin in your skin. The higher the melanin levels (dark skin) the more care needs to be taken during treatment. Lower laser settings = slower results. We use our 1064 nm wavelength on higher Fitzpatrick skin types with lower levels of energy to ensure safe and effective treatments.

• Layers: The more layers of pigment there is, the greater amount of treatments it will take to fully remove your tattoo.

• Location: The closer to the heart your tattoo is, the more responsive it will be to removal. areas of the body with less circulation often take more time to show results. The toes, fingers, ears, and nose are areas that may show slower results.

• Color: Black and red tattoos are the easiest to remove. Orange, yellow, pink, purple, brown, and other shades are slightly more difficult to remove. The most difficult colors to remove are light green, light blue, and teal/turquoise - our machine targets these colors well with the 755 nm wavelength. During your consultation we’ll talk about the number of treatments we expect will be needed for full removal.

• Age: Older tattoos often can be removed with fewer treatments than newer tattoos. A black ink tattoo that is 10 years old may take one or two treatments less than a 1-year-old black tattoo. If you just got a tattoo that you now want to remove, please wait until it’s healed for 12 weeks to start removal

• Ink Density: shading will be removed in only a few sessions in most cases, while dense line work requires more sessions.

• Lifestyle: Drinking large amounts of alcohol can hinder the ability of you liver and kidneys to flush out the tiny ink particles that are created during the laser treatment, thus preventing your tattoo from making much progress. Smoking can also cause the fading process to progress more slowly. Your body is already working hard to remove smoking-related pollutants, and smoking restricts circulation near the skin’s surface.

• Scarring: Tattoos that have existing scarring and tissue change are much more difficult to remove and usually require more treatment sessions.

+ What should I do before my session?

• Stay out of the sun - Exposure to UV rays from the sun can stimulate the production of vitamin D and melanin, which can affect how your body responds to light waves during laser treatment and can also put you at risk for hypo-pigmentation, or lightening of the skin.

• No spray tan or self tan lotions before your treatment- These can create irregular pigmentation in the skin and have a bad reaction to the laser treatment.

• Wait 14 days after getting off of antibiotics

• Be off of Accutane for 6 months

• Don’t wax for 2 weeks to avoid sensitivities - shaving the area is fine

• Be comfy - wear loose comfortable clothes, bring headphones to listen to your favorite music, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol the night before.

+ Do you remove cosmetic tattoos?

We remove eyebrow tattoos but do not offer eyeliner tattoo removal. We’d be happy to refer you though!

+ Are there any side effects?

We won’t sugar coat it, yes, there can be side effects of tattoo removal, but all of them are temporary! Clients may experience some, all, or none of the following: Redness, Tenderness, Swelling, Blistering, Scabs, Bruising, Hyperpigmentation, Hypopigmentation.

If your tattoo blisters, it’ll usually appear within the first 24 hours after the treatment and can be very large and alarming looking - They are completely normal, so don’t worry! Blisters indicate that your immune system is healing the area and beginning to remove the ink from your tattoo. It may look gnarly, but it should heal within a week, just keep it clean, and moist with triple antibiotic or aquaphor and DON’t pop it! Redness, tenderness, and swelling typically subside within a day or two following treatment and can be lessened with cool compresses, Aloecaine, and OTC pain pills like Tylenol.

After your laser treatment, your skin may overproduce melanin in the treated area, causing a temporary hyperpigmentation, or, it may deplete the melanin in the treatment area, causing a temporary hypopigmentation - both resolve naturally with time. keeping your treated tattoo out of direct UV exposure is critical in avoiding pigmentation issues, so keep it covered or slathered in SPF 30+ at all times.

+ How much does it cost?

Tattoo removal will always cost more than what it cost to get your tattoo in the first place, but reclaiming your skin is priceless! We work with tattooers to collaborate on a gameplan for executing cover ups if that’s your goal, and we also will give you an idea of how many sessions will be required for a full removal if that is your goal. our tattoo removal starts at $99 a session.

Check out our upfront pricing here.

+ How long do I have to wait in between tretments?

Sessions are spaced between 6-8 weeks. If we’re working on an extra large piece that requires multiple sessions, we’ll schedule each portion two weeks apart. Waiting longer between sessions is fine! If you have a darker skin type, we’ll space your treatments between 12-16 weeks to allow your skin to fully heal and to avoid pigmentation issues.