Laser Tattoo Removal

We’ve all made mistakes, had tattoos we later regretted, and then wondered if it would ever be possible to remove said tattoo effectively and safely. Fortunately, for those who would rather not live with a regretful decision, tattoo removal procedures have come a long way in the past few years.



At Schweiger Dermatology Group, we’ve removed and lightened numerous tattoos resulting in incredibly positive results and much happier patients.



*Results vary based several factors, including the age of the tattoo, the color of the tattoo ink, and the amount of passes with the laser tattoo removal machine.

With the use of the R20 method, removing unwanted tattoos can be easier than a lifetime of regret. While it’s true that getting a tattoo removed is not as easy as getting it placed. The most compelling reason to get laser tattoo removal is that it’s one of the most effective methods to fade – and in many cases remove your – unwanted tattoo.

How Laser Tattoo Removal Works

Thanks to major advancements in laser technology, we are now able to fade the ink of unwanted tattoos forever. The way removing tattoos with a laser works is that the it targets and breaks up the pigment of your tattoo. The body breaks it down and flushes it out of its system. The gold standard laser used is called the Q-switched (quality switched) laser. The Q-switched laser employs high-powered bursts of laser energy to target and fade tattoo ink. Typically, laser tattoo removal takes about twelve sessions to rid of the ink in its entirety. It begins with breaking up the pigments associated with your tattoo. High powered bursts of laser energy target and gradually fade tattoo ink. The number of treatments you receive will depend on size, placement, age and colors of tattoo. Patients typically return to work or their normal activities immediately following their treatments.

Laser Tattoo Removal Treatments

Schweiger Dermatology offers two different treatment plans: single pass removal and the R20 method. We use a Q-switched laser that employs high-powered bursts of laser energy to target the tattoo ink under your skin and break up the pigmentation. For most patients it required between eight – twenty passes to remove of the tattoo in its entirety. Twelve passes is average.

Quality Switched Laser Treatment

The gold standard laser used in tattoo removal is called the Q-switched (quality-switched) laser. Using short, high-powered pulses, the Q-switched laser breaks up the pigment in the tattoo into tiny particles, which are then naturally flushed out by your body’s immune system. A local anesthesia will be applied to the skin pre-treatment to make the tattoo removal process as painless as possible. The procedure lasts around ten minutes. When it’s over, you can return to your regularly scheduled activities—there is minimal downtime depending on how many passes are performed.

Single Pass Removal Method for Tattoo Removal

Single Pass removal is the standard removal process. With this method only one pass is performed per office visit. A local anesthesia will be applied to the skin pre-treatment to make the tattoo removal process as painless as possible. The procedure lasts around ten minutes. When it’s over, you can return to your regularly scheduled activities—there is minimal downtime and procedures are often 6 weeks apart. It often takes 8-20 passes for complete removal.

R20 Removal Method for Fast Tattoo Removal

Instead of only completing one pass of the laser during the office visit, there are up to four passes used to treat the tattoo during the same visit. The passes are completed with a twenty-minute rest in between treatments. The R20 tattoo removal method of completing four tattoo removal treatments during one office visit allows the laser to reach greater depths than with one single pass of the Q-switched laser. In larger tattoos we suggest starting with only 2 passes per office visit. The R20 method is effective and safe; there were not increased side effects seen with the new method of treatment.



What is the PicoSure Laser?

One of the best lasers we offer is the new PicoSure laser from Cynosure. This breakthrough advancement in laser technology erases tattoos with fewer treatments and better results than ever before. Even previously treated tattoos that failed to clear from a different laser can be removed. PicoSure targets unwanted ink more effectively than some other lasers. The PicoSure laser successfully removes notoriously hard to remove ink colors, such as blue and green, as well as tattoos that have been previously treated with other lasers. Some of the benefits of the PicoSure laser include fewer treatments, improved recovery time, and quicker results, all thanks to PicoSure’s cutting edge picosecond technology. Speak to your Schweiger Dermatology Group provider to see if the PicoSure laser is right for you.



The Cost of Tattoo Removal

The cost is typically $550 per pass up to a tattoo the size of one palm. The single pass method with the standard use of the Q-Switched Laser generally requires 8+ visits to completely remove the tattoo. The R20 method allows up to four passes to be performed in one session, and requires only one to five office visits total. The total cost will depend on several factors, which your provider can discuss with you during your visit.