www.austinpicosure.com
FAQ
Q: Why does it take so many treatments to remove a tattoo?
A: It doesn’t, if you use a PicoSure™ with Boost. If you’re using a POS Q-switched laser that literally was invented to remove India ink from old-style sailor tattoos, then you might need 20 or more treatments to remove a modern tattoo. And there’s no guarantee it will work.
Q: Is black really the easiest ink to remove?
A: It used to be before PicoSure™ lasers were invented. Back when Q-switched lasers were the only thing available, they took off black tattoos best because they are ineffective on colors.
Q: What makes PicoSure™ more effective than Q-switched lasers with decades old technology?
A: The PicoSure™ laser pulses so quickly (in trillionths of a second) that it produces a powerful patented PressureWave™ that shatters ink particles in to pieces small enough for the body to remove. Q-switched lasers, on the other hand, fire so slowly (100 times slower than PicoSure™) that they cannot produce a PressureWave™.
Q: If Q-switched laser can’t produce a PressureWave™ then what is the technology behind them?
A: Q-switched laser use a technology called photothermal reaction which heats up the tattoo ink. Unfortunately, these old lasers also heat up and often burn and scar the skin. PicoSure™ lasers, on the other hand, go beyond photothermal and utilize what’s known as photomechanical energy, which literally breaks the ink apart.
Q: Will I blister and why?
A: Most likely you will experience some blistering. In the case of a Q-switched laser, the blistering is thermal in nature, meaning the skin got burned. With PicoSure™, the blisters are not thermal, but are actually caused by the PressureWave™ vibrating across the skin, almost like friction.
Q: Where does the ink go?
A: Much of the ink is instantly vaporized, but the rest moves into the lymph system and is carried away through circulation and white blood cells.
Q: Is the circulating ink dangerous to my body?
A: Studies show that PicoSure™ laser tattoo removal is safe and effective and the FDA has cleared it for that purpose, among other things, like scar rejuvenation. Just to be on the safe side, I don’t treat pregnant or breast feeding women.
Q: How long do you wait in between treatments?
A: Generally treatments are spread 4-8 weeks apart with the average being 6 weeks. This interval depends upon the size of the tattoo, location and several other factors, such as individual patient healing times.
Q: What PicoSure™ laser settings do you use?
A: I base the settings upon a number of factors including, tattoo size, color, location, reaction, skin type and progression. Each tattoo and patient is unique so I create an individualized care plan for each and every removal.
Q: Why should I use PicoSure™ laser to fade a tattoo for a cover up?
A: The PicoSure™ laser is the fastest, most effective tattoo removal laser available and it can easily fade a tattoo in order to give you and your artist the best choices on the cover up artwork. Without fading, a cover up tattoo will have to be much larger and darker to cover the original design.
Q: What qualifications should a PicoSure™ or Q-switched tattoo removal laser operator have?
A: Although qualifications vary greatly, your best bet is a licensed medical professional, who is either a doctor or nurse that has been thoroughly trained by the manufacturer. I personally am a Registered Nurse with a Master’s degree. Tattoo removal is a medical procedure that requires a doctor’s order and unfortunately, countless patients are injured every year by so-called “laser technicians”.
Q: Why is the PicoSure™ laser considered safer than Q-switched lasers?
A: Because PicoSure™ lasers pulse so quickly, they do not produce thermal injury (burns) to the skin. Additionally, since PicoSure™ lasers require fewer treatments, they are less likely to cause permanent hypopigmentation, scarring, or other damage, caused by repeated unnecessary treatments.
Q: Can you remove tattoos from dark-skinned individuals?
A: Unfortunately, skin types V and VI risk severe hypopigmentation, regardless of the type of laser used. Dark-skinned African Americans and blacks should avoid laser tattoo removal because their pigment blocks the laser light from reaching its target.
Q: Why do the after pictures sometimes contain a ghost image?
A: Because the after pictures are generally taken about 6-8 weeks following the last treatment and the skin pigment hasn’t had time to return to normal. Most patients don’t come back 6 months later just for a post treatment photo-op.
Q: What if I don’t know how my tattoo will respond?
A: I generally offer a no-cost test spot, in an inconspicuous part of the tattoo, so that the patient can see how they will respond. Test spots should also be performed when there is a question regarding pigment changes.
Q: Where is www.austinpicosure.com located?
A: I have my PicoSure™ laser housed within a state-of-the-art med spa in downtown Austin, TX. I can be reached by phone @ 512-479-9997 or just stop by my NEW location: Austin Medspa on W. 6th St. I look forward to meeting you and safely and effectively helping you get rid of your unwanted ink once and for all.
