Some tattoos are meaningful, thoroughly planned pieces of art that are immensely personal and will always hold a special place in your heart. Others may be more spur-of-the-moment decisions or aesthetic choices that fall out of line with your personal style. Regardless of when and why you first received your tattoo, there are countless reasons why you may not want it anymore.
Of course, tattoos are designed to be permanent, so what steps should you take to resolve yours? Follow these tips from our very experienced tattoo removal providers at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta.
Don’t Love Your Tattoo? Here’s What to Do
At Dermatology Associates of Atlanta, we have been helping patients remove or fade their unwanted tattoos since the 1990s, the early days of laser treatments. Our team of board-certified dermatologists and physician assistants has helped countless patients once again feel more confident in their skin, so allow us to guide you through the process. Follow the steps below if you are no longer in love with your tattoo.
1. Weigh Your Options
If you aren’t happy with your tattoo, there are two primary options: removing it or modifying it. Laser tattoo removal is a safe way to remove your tattoo, often accomplishing thorough results so your tattoo has minimal or no visible ink. The other option is to modify the tattoo you dislike by getting a new tattoo on top of it. For modification, you are limited to the designs a tattoo artist can create with what you already have.
Some people also choose to combine these two. They get laser tattoo removal on part of their tattoo that they dislike and then receive a new tattoo to modify the part that is still intact.
2. Choose a Laser Tattoo Removal Provider
If you decide on laser tattoo removal, you’ll need to choose your provider carefully. While the goal of this treatment is cosmetic, it is still a medical procedure that needs to be performed with skill and care to minimize the risks.
Be sure to choose a provider who is medically qualified, such as a dermatologist or physician assistant specializing in dermatological care. You also need a provider who operates in a sterile medical facility and uses laser equipment that is up to date and well-maintained. They need to specifically have experience and training in laser tattoo removal as well.
At Dermatology Associates of Atlanta, for example, all of our laser tattoo removal procedures are done by board-certified dermatologists or physician assistants. We use cutting-edge laser technology including PicoWay and PicoSure lasers, allowing us to perform treatments that are safer and more efficient, all within our safe and clean medical office.
3. Complete a Pre-Treatment Consultation
After you have chosen a laser tattoo removal provider, your next step is a consultation with the provider. At this appointment, they will be able to examine your tattoo and explain what you can expect from your treatments. They’ll be able to verify that you are a good candidate for laser tattoo removal and answer any questions you have about the procedure. Your provider may also treat a small area of your tattoo as a test spot to see how your skin and your tattoo react.
4. Begin Your Laser Tattoo Removal Treatments
Once you’ve had your consultation and you’re comfortable with your provider, you’ll begin your laser tattoo removal treatments. It will take a series of treatments to remove your tattoo as thoroughly as possible. The number of treatments will vary from patient to patient, depending on factors like the size of your tattoo, the color or colors of your tattoo, where your tattoo is located, the technology your provider uses, and more.
To receive the best possible results from your laser tattoo removal, it’s important to maintain a consistent treatment schedule. Your provider will also give you care instructions to follow before and after each session, so be sure to follow these instructions closely.
Beginning Your Laser Tattoo Removal Process
If you would like to remove all or part of a tattoo, our team at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta will be happy to help. Schedule a laser tattoo removal consultation today with our experienced and skilled providers.
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