Orange County Laser Tattoo Removal

Dr. Roham uses the ND YAG Q-Switched laser medlite IV. This particular machine is used because the results are superior when compared to traditional machines. The Q-Switched laser is quick pulsed, and it has the capability of dissolving tattoo ink without destroying the skin, thus no scars. This particular Q-Switched laser used for tattoo removal has 4 different wavelengths:

1. 1,064nm for black ink
2. 532nm - for red ink
3. 585nm - for blue ink
4. 650nm - for green ink

How it Works?

The laser shatters the pigment of the tattoo; pigment then disperses throughout the skin and is carried away by cells of the immune system. Darker tattoos are usually easier to remove because they absorb the light better. Doctor uses a green light to remove red ink and a red light to remove green ink. The color of a tattoo will determine which laser or a light color will be used to dissolve and remove a tattoo. The depth & density of the ink is a major determining factor in successfully removing a tattoo. After each treatment, the laser fragments more ink and penetrates a little deeper into the skin. Often blistering and scabbing will follow a tattoo removal session.



How Long a Tattoo Session Takes and Who Should Have Tattoo Removal?

A good candidate for tattoo removal is medium to fair skin, with dark but not dense ink (black/brown). The preferred locations are the arm, chest, buttocks, or any place with good circulation. Medium or fair skin patients react well because the light will be able to selectively target the ink instead of the dark skin. Some tattoos disappear in one treatment, and others requiring 12 or more treatments for complete removal. Taking care of the treated area is the most important factor in removing a tattoo without a scar; post laser treatment will determine the success rate.

Dr. Roham can not regulate the speed of the fading process. For best result, it has been proven that the treating doctor must act conservatively rather that aggressively, to allow the surrounding tissue to relax in the weeks following the treatment. Non-professional tattoos can usually be treated with 1-4 treatments and professional tattoos can usually be treated with 6-10 treatments, however only the treating physician can determine how many treatments are needed to successfully remove any tattoo.


Is it Painful?

Most of our patients describe the treatment as “the slight snapping of a rubber band against their skin” this can be eased with the application of a topical numbing cream and almost all patients are able to resume normal activities immediately following the treatment. Unlike surgical treatments, there is no downtime, and the only restriction is the area cannot be exposed directly to the sun for one week.

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