Questions to Ask a Laser Tattoo Removal Doctor

Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor questions about the laser tattoo removal process.  Your doctor should be willing to answer all of your questions and put your mind at ease about the process.

Here are some sample questions to ask:

How many tattoo removals have you performed?

Be wary of a doctor who doesn’t have much experience in this area.  This isn’t a show stopper because of course doctors have to start somewhere, but be sure that the doctor at least has experience removing different types of tattoos, even if the total number of tattoo removal procedures they’ve performed is low.

Have you had tattoo removal training?

Some doctors attend advanced courses in tattoo removal and are therefore very knowledgeable on the process of tattoo removal.  There are no federal regulations or laws concerning tattoo removal for doctors so determining whether the doctor has specialized training is important.  Some dermatologists have specifically performed laser tattoo removals whereas others only have experience using lasers for hair removal or the fading of birthmarks.  It’s important to find a doctor that has specific experience using their lasers for tattoo removal.

Do you own the lasers that you use?

Since some doctors don’t perform laser tattoo removals very frequently they sometimes rent the equipment needed for the procedure.  It’s important to find a doctor that owns their own lasers and keeps them in their office.  Those doctors will have the most experience with tattoo removals.  Doctors that rent their laser equipment or only have it available during certain days of the week won’t have the same level of experience as doctors who own their own lasers.

How long have you provided laser tattoo removal services?

You should look for a doctor with a few years of experience removing tattoos using lasers.  The more experience, the more information the doctor can give you about the number of treatments you’ll need and the cost.  If there aren’t many doctors in the area with experience you may need to settle for one with less experience or perhaps consider traveling to a more heavily populated area that has doctors with more experience.  it may be worth the gas to travel to a more experienced doctor.

Do you have “Before” and “After” photos that you can show me?

If the doctor has experience removing tattoos they should be willing to provide proof of their successes.  Many physicians take photos of the tattoos they remove.  They should have “before” photos, “after” photos, and photos that paint a chronological picture of the entire process.  Looking at the photos will give you a good idea of the quality of their services.  If they don’t have photos you should beware and ask yourself this: if a doctor wants to prove his/her ability to remove tattoos, why wouldn’t they have visual proof of their work?  Looking at the photos should provide some level of peace of mind and help set your expectations for your own treatment.

What other laser services do you provide?

A doctor that has experience using lasers for other services, like hair removal, will have more overall experience than a doctor that only uses lasers for tattoo removal.  What you’re looking for here is someone that has a wide range and breadth of experience with lasers.  A doctor of that caliber will be better equipped to answer your questions.  They’ll also have more experience dealing with people with different skin types and should therefore be able to tell you what to expect (i.e., discoloration, healing time, etc.).

As with most medical procedures it’s important to do your homework to find a reputable specialist and minimize risk, ensuring safety, and increasing your chances for success.

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Finding a Doctor to Remove Your Tattoos

Selecting the right doctor or facility to perform your tattoo removal is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the tattoo removal process. It is important to determine at the beginning exactly how much the removal procedure will cost and how many treatments are required in order to completely remove the tattoo.

As with all types of medical specialists, the best way to find a good doctor to remove your tattoos is through referrals from prior tattoo wearers that are happy with the doctor’s work. If you know someone who’s had a tattoo removed, ask them from where they obtained their treatments and ask them to share their experience with the doctor. Find out if they received the treatment they expected and how often they had to receive treatment. Ask them about the size of the tattoo they had removed. Ask them how many colors the tattoo contained. Also, determine if their skin color is similar to yours. All of this helps you determine whether your experience will be similar to theirs.

Also, consider asking your primary care physician or family doctor if they can recommend a doctor for removing your tattoo. Also, ask around at tattoo studios; they should be able to recommend a physician that some of their clients have used. Clearly, obtaining a recommendation from someone you trust, like a friend or relative, is ideal, but if this isn’t an option, you’ll need to seek advice elsewhere.

Once you’ve found a few doctors that are potential candidates for removing your tattoos ask the doctor or receptionist to estimate how many tattoos they’ve successfully removed. Also, ask to see before and after photos of tattoos they’ve removed. Additionally, ask if you can schedule a free consultation with the doctor so he can give you advice on how many treatments he thinks will be required and provide a cost estimate. The key is to find a doctor that answers your questions, is patient, and takes the time to thoroughly explain the laser tattoo removal process. If the doctor is too busy to meet with you or rushes through your consultation session then you may want to consider consulting with a different physician. Ideally you want to find a doctor that will listen to you and develop a treatment plan that’s customized for your particular needs. The doctor should also honestly give you the pros and cons of the tattoo removal process. If the doctor tells you that he can remove the tattoo quickly and completely pain-free, BEWARE. The removal of very small tattoos can cause some discomfort – the lasers can sting, or feel as if small needles are being inserted into the skin. Don’t let the doctor underplay the fact that some pain or discomfort during the tattoo removal process is to be expected. Even if the doctor uses a numbing agent to dull the pain, like lidocaine, the patient still feels the lasers as they’re being administered. And the healing process can cause pain as well. Also, steer clear of doctors that make claims about the removal process who don’t have any evidence or experience to back them up.

It’s important to take charge of your tattoo removal experience by thoroughly researching doctors and facilities. This will help ensure the best outcome.

See also: Questions to Ask a Laser Tattoo Removal Doctor

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Common Tattoo Removal Procedures

With the advances in technology new ways to remove a tattoo occur almost every year. The most popular tattoo removal method is by far laser tattoo removal. However, there are other options available as well.

Dermabrasion Tattoo Removal: dermabrasion is a cosmetic medical procedure where the tattoo is removed by “sanding” the surface of the skin. The original procedure, primarily used to remove dark spots from the skin, was quite painful and result in skin irritation that can take months to heal. Dermabrasion tattoo removal procedures are now performed using lasers. It’s much less painful, quicker, and more precise.

Cover-up Tattoos: depending on the size, color, and design of your tattoo it’s possible to have a cover-up tattoo applied. Cover-up tattoos take one of two forms:

  • applying additional ink to turn an existing tattoo into a new design (for example, turning the letter “f” into a capital “P”.
  • applying a make-up tattoo. This type of tattoo covers the tattoo in an ink color close to the wearer’s natural skin color. There are skilled make-up tattooists available that can provide this service.

Surgical Excision of Tattoos: in this method the tattoo is actually cut from the skin. This method only works for very small tattoos and even then a scar will form after the skin is removed. Scarring is a serious concern if this method is chosen. If you’re prone to getting keloids you do not want to consider this method of tattoo removal.

Tattoo Removal Creams and Ointments: before using any of these products it’s advisable to consult with your doctor. Think about it: the product must be very strong in order to permanently remove tattoo ink that’s embedded in the epidermis of the skin. Some of these products can cause serious scarring, painful skin irritation, and in some instances, organ damage because of their toxicity.

Before choosing any tattoo removal method it’s important to thoroughly research the procedures and determine whether they have any lasting side effects.

See also: Finding a Doctor to Remove Your Tattoos

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