You will notice that most often the tattoo is not completely gone at the end of a series of before and afters and wondering why that is. The truth is that once we have removed a tattoo it’s hard to get people to come back for a photo. Assume that whatever the last treatment # is they had one additional treatment and their tattoo was gone. Sometimes we get to see people again for another tattoo or another service but often we are left wishing we could see the final photo. Regardless we are happy we could have been of service.

Permanent makeup removal

In many cases we can remove permanent makeup. Often the ink used in permanent cosmetics is hand mixed with different colored inks. Since different colors lift at different rates it is common for makeup tattoos to change colors before final removal. See our Cosmetic tattoo page for more info: https://wellmedicalarts.com/permanent-makeup-removal-2/

Some of the types of permanent makeup that we treat are: Eyebrow Tattoos  • Microblading  • Freckle Tattoos  • Scalp Tattoos

How much does laser tattoo removal cost in Seattle?

Because we use the most advanced laser available, we can generally complete your tattoo removal in 40% fewer treatments than other providers. The number of treatments depends on many factors including your metabolism and your tattoo location, color and age. At Well Medical Arts we take many consideration into determining the price of tattoo removal but start our process based on the square inch size of your tattoo. We start our prices at $249.00 for a single treatment for a small tattoo (under 3 square inches).

We have packages for all sizes of tattoos and would be happy to give you a personal quote, just call 206-935-5689 to schedule your free initial consultation.

How does laser tattoo removal work?

Tattoo removal is a process that requires patience. There are many variables that effect how quickly and effectively tattoo ink will fade. Density of the ink, color of the pigment, location on the body, your metabolism and skin type are just a few. At Well Medical Arts we see most tattoos disappear in 6-10 treatments spaced about 8-12 weeks apart, some may take more and some may take less.

We like to think of tattoos as rocks of ink layered into the dermis. We first want to break these big rocks into smaller sized rocks and we do this with Nanosecond technology. Think of Nano as a sledgehammer that can break apart big rocks. Every body is different but we usually use the sledgehammer (nano) for the first 3-4 treatments before moving to Pico. While many lasers stop at Nanoseconds our Cutera Enlighten can take it the next step with Picosecond technology. While we consider Nano a sledgehammer, we consider Pico as a chisel that can do the finer work and break down the smaller rocks into dust.

Once we have broken the ink into dust your body’s white blood cells are able to gradually dispose of the pigment and eliminate your unwanted tattoo.

The PicoWay features both Nanosecond and extremely short and high-power Picosecond laser pulses (The chisel) which efficiently and quickly break down the ink particles in tattoos into smaller and smaller pieces. A ‘picosecond’ is one-trillionth of a second, and is 1,000 times shorter than the ‘nanosecond’ pulses used in existing lasers for tattoo removal. Picosecond laser pulses have been shown to remove tattoos more completely and in fewer treatment sessions than traditional lasers used in the past. The PicoWay is the fastest Pico laser available.  PicoWay system’s photoacoustic effect, rather than photothermal effect, minimizes risk of skin heating and damage to surrounding tissue. This means less recovery time after treatments.

Tattoo ink is deposited deep in the skin. In order to reach all of the ink in the skin, multiple treatment sessions are needed for clearance. Depth, size and color of the tattoo also impact the number of treatments needed. At each visit we will break the ink into smaller and smaller pieces so that body’s immune system (white blood cells) can dispose of the pigment.

In most cases, yes. However, it is very important to know that some ink colors are more difficult to clear than others and in some cases total clearance may not be possible. If this happens, usually only faint ghost lines will remain.. Come in for a consultation to learn more. Although uncommon, it should also be noted that there is a possibility of slight skin pigment change where the ink once was.

Is the procedure painful?

Patients compare the procedure to a rubber band being snapped against their skin. The smaller the tattoo the less painful the treatment. We offer a topical anesthetic that can minimize any discomfort that you may encounter. We also use a super chiller to cool the skin as it is being treated. In most cases, especially with smaller tattoos, the chiller is sufficient in managing any discomfort during treatment.

What is that white frosting?

The rapid local heating of skin pigment, which leads to gas or plasma forming, causes the white frosting you sometimes see during and after laser treatment. Carbon dioxide is released as a result of laser penetration and surfaces on the upper layer of the skin, which resembles a white frosting.

In the vast majority of cases, this only lasts for 15-30 minutes after treatment. It is a temporary side effect, which is perfectly normal. White frosting is always evident during the first treatment, but once more ink gets remove from further sessions it won’t appear as much.

It might not look very nice, but the white frosting you see during laser tattoo removal is very much a good thing. This reaction indicates the laser is penetrating the ink effectively. On top of that, it also shows that your body is reacting and healing quickly.

As soon as the laser hits your skin, it can go in various different directions. Some paths of light will reflect off the skin, while others will penetrate into the epidermis and dermis. However, we are interested in the ones that reach the ink particles, are absorbed into the skin and cause white frosting to occur.

Although everyone’s body will react differently to laser tattoo removal, some common side effects include:

• Redness and Swelling –  is very common immediately after the treatment
• Blistering – Yet another indication that the healing process has begun, blisters are nothing to worry about and albeit tender, take between 3-14 days to disappear.
• Scabbing – Around 8-72 hours after treatment, scabs may appear over the affected area. Picking or peeling these can increase the risk of scarring; so let them fall off naturally.
• Swelling – Your body’s natural defence system might kick in and cause a bit of swelling after treatment. But this will soon go down and is not a reason for concern.
• Discomfort – Most people will experience some discomfort but this usually depends on the tattoo’s location. An urge to itch afterwards can happen too, but overall our clients report that the laser sensation is equal to, or less than getting a tattoo inked in the first place.