How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?
Tattoo removal lasers work through the process of selective photothermolysis which means certain wavelengths of light interact with certain pigments within the skin. The laser energy is absorbed by these pigments resulting in rapid heating and expansion and destruction of intracellular tattoo particles. This triggers an immunologic response by the body that results in gradual elimination of the tattoo pigments.
How Many Treatments Are Required?
The number of treatments that will be required can be hard to predict. Factors determining the rate of succes in removing a tattoo include the depth and quantity of ink in the skin, the type of pigment that was used, the degree of scarring in the tattoo, and the patient skin type. Certain pigments such as light-colored blues and greens can be very difficult to remove, especially if they were professionally applied. However, most dark colored inks are very responsive to laser treatments and fade rapidly after just a few sessions. Amateur tattoos are sometimes completely removed in a single session.
How Often Are Treatments Given?
The laser induces the immunologic process that results in elimination of the tattoo ink. This process begins within the first few hours of treatment and continues for weeks afterwards. Treatments are usually scheduled at a minimum of every four weeks to give adequate time for the body to heal.
Do Laser Treatments Causes Scarring?
All tattoo removal treatments can cause scarring, however Q-switched lasers when used properly have a low incidence of scarring and has been estimated to occur in less than 1% of treatments. Subtle textural changes in the skin and changes in pigmentation (hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation) are both possible complications of laser therapy.
How Much Can I Charge for Laser Treatments?
The range of laser tattoo removal pricing can vary greatly, even when the same technologies are used. The determination of cost is a key feature of your business model and will depend on market demand. Some laser tattoo removal businesses many charge more than $500 per laser session for a modest sized tattoo while other services many only charge $150 per session for the same tattoo.
What Colors Can the TA-2 Treat?
The Skin Clear TA-2 is a dual-wavelength device (532nm and 1064nm) and can eliminate a wide variety of tattoo pigments. Black and dark-colored inks respond well to the 1064 nm wavelength whereas browns and reds react well with the 532 nm wavelength. Many tattoos contain and admixture of pigments and thus respond to combinations of wavelengths separated over multiple treatments.
Can All Skin Types be Treated?
Dermatologists describe skin types by the quantity of melanin in the skin. Skin type is often categorized by the Fitzpatrick Skin Typing Test, which ranges from types I to VI. People with very fair skin, usually of Northern European descent have very little melanin and are referred to as Fitzpatrick I skin types. These patients are seldom able to tan and usually sunburn. People with very dark skin, usually of African descent have a great deal of melanin and are referred to as Fitpatrick VI skin types. These patients almost never burn with prolonged exposure to the sun. The relevance of these distinctions is that people with dark skin types are more likely to have complications with laser therapy than those with fair skin types, particularly when using the 532 nm wavelength. During your laser training from Imperial Tattoo Supply, we will provide comprehensive training to you regarding patient selection and avoidance of complications.
This sounds pretty complicated, how can I learn more?
Imperial Tattoo Supply provides a complimentary 8-hour hands-on training course for you and your staff when you purchase a laser. We will provide training certificates to all staff at the completion of their training. These certificates are often requested by insurance underwriters. Your medical director also needs to be knowledgeable about tattoo removal lasers and there are many additional resources and courses to which we can refer you for further information. A good laser specialist is always learning!
I Found a Cheap Laser on Ebay - Is it Legal to Buy It?
Inexpensive lasers sold on Ebay are often from overseas suppliers and usually are not legal to purchase in the United States by an end-user. It also can be very difficult to service your laser if it has a problem. Lasers are complex devices and need occasional maintenance to insure proper mirror alignment, flash lamp power output, and clean optical windows. Your "cheap" laser could very well become an expensive paper weight. We are a US company and our lasers are FDA-cleared for use in the United States. Our lasers have undergone rigorous quality control testing to insure the operating characteristics are correct. Our lasers also come with a standard 12 month parts and labor warranty and extended warranties are available for an additional cost. Imperial Tattoo Supply will maintain an ongoing relationship with your business from the day you purchase your laser. We are committed to your success!
Tattoo removal lasers work through the process of selective photothermolysis which means certain wavelengths of light interact with certain pigments within the skin. The laser energy is absorbed by these pigments resulting in rapid heating and expansion and destruction of intracellular tattoo particles. This triggers an immunologic response by the body that results in gradual elimination of the tattoo pigments.
How Many Treatments Are Required?
The number of treatments that will be required can be hard to predict. Factors determining the rate of succes in removing a tattoo include the depth and quantity of ink in the skin, the type of pigment that was used, the degree of scarring in the tattoo, and the patient skin type. Certain pigments such as light-colored blues and greens can be very difficult to remove, especially if they were professionally applied. However, most dark colored inks are very responsive to laser treatments and fade rapidly after just a few sessions. Amateur tattoos are sometimes completely removed in a single session.
How Often Are Treatments Given?
The laser induces the immunologic process that results in elimination of the tattoo ink. This process begins within the first few hours of treatment and continues for weeks afterwards. Treatments are usually scheduled at a minimum of every four weeks to give adequate time for the body to heal.
Do Laser Treatments Causes Scarring?
All tattoo removal treatments can cause scarring, however Q-switched lasers when used properly have a low incidence of scarring and has been estimated to occur in less than 1% of treatments. Subtle textural changes in the skin and changes in pigmentation (hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation) are both possible complications of laser therapy.
How Much Can I Charge for Laser Treatments?
The range of laser tattoo removal pricing can vary greatly, even when the same technologies are used. The determination of cost is a key feature of your business model and will depend on market demand. Some laser tattoo removal businesses many charge more than $500 per laser session for a modest sized tattoo while other services many only charge $150 per session for the same tattoo.
What Colors Can the TA-2 Treat?
The Skin Clear TA-2 is a dual-wavelength device (532nm and 1064nm) and can eliminate a wide variety of tattoo pigments. Black and dark-colored inks respond well to the 1064 nm wavelength whereas browns and reds react well with the 532 nm wavelength. Many tattoos contain and admixture of pigments and thus respond to combinations of wavelengths separated over multiple treatments.
Can All Skin Types be Treated?
Dermatologists describe skin types by the quantity of melanin in the skin. Skin type is often categorized by the Fitzpatrick Skin Typing Test, which ranges from types I to VI. People with very fair skin, usually of Northern European descent have very little melanin and are referred to as Fitzpatrick I skin types. These patients are seldom able to tan and usually sunburn. People with very dark skin, usually of African descent have a great deal of melanin and are referred to as Fitpatrick VI skin types. These patients almost never burn with prolonged exposure to the sun. The relevance of these distinctions is that people with dark skin types are more likely to have complications with laser therapy than those with fair skin types, particularly when using the 532 nm wavelength. During your laser training from Imperial Tattoo Supply, we will provide comprehensive training to you regarding patient selection and avoidance of complications.
This sounds pretty complicated, how can I learn more?
Imperial Tattoo Supply provides a complimentary 8-hour hands-on training course for you and your staff when you purchase a laser. We will provide training certificates to all staff at the completion of their training. These certificates are often requested by insurance underwriters. Your medical director also needs to be knowledgeable about tattoo removal lasers and there are many additional resources and courses to which we can refer you for further information. A good laser specialist is always learning!
I Found a Cheap Laser on Ebay - Is it Legal to Buy It?
Inexpensive lasers sold on Ebay are often from overseas suppliers and usually are not legal to purchase in the United States by an end-user. It also can be very difficult to service your laser if it has a problem. Lasers are complex devices and need occasional maintenance to insure proper mirror alignment, flash lamp power output, and clean optical windows. Your "cheap" laser could very well become an expensive paper weight. We are a US company and our lasers are FDA-cleared for use in the United States. Our lasers have undergone rigorous quality control testing to insure the operating characteristics are correct. Our lasers also come with a standard 12 month parts and labor warranty and extended warranties are available for an additional cost. Imperial Tattoo Supply will maintain an ongoing relationship with your business from the day you purchase your laser. We are committed to your success!
