Tattoos can be a wonderful form of self-expression, but when they no longer represent who you are, you start searching for tattoo removal options, and you’ve come to the right place.
If you're feeling regret about a tattoo, you’re not alone — about 23% of tattooed people regret their ink. Thankfully, advancements in medical technology have made it possible to remove unwanted tattoos safely and effectively. One such advancement is the enlighten™ laser system by Cutera®.
In the hands of an experienced dermatologist like Dr. Robert Topham at Holladay Dermatology and Aesthetics in Holladay, Utah, enlighten is a powerful treatment that can wipe away your unwanted ink and all your regrets.
Here, Dr. Topham explains why tattoo ink is challenging to remove and how enlighten works.
When you get a tattoo, the ink is injected into the second layer of your skin, the dermis. This layer is more stable than your outer skin, allowing the tattoo to remain sharp and vibrant for many years.
The tattoo ink is made up of tiny particles suspended under your skin. Your body recognizes these particles as foreign bodies and tries to eliminate them. However, due to the size of the ink particles, your body’s immune system can’t fully dispose of them. As a result, the ink particles remain suspended in your skin, giving the appearance of a permanent tattoo.
The enlighten laser system has revolutionized the process of tattoo removal.
This state-of-the-art technology uses both picosecond and nanosecond laser pulses to break down the ink particles in your skin into smaller fragments. These fragments are then small enough for your body to naturally eliminate.
With enlighten, Dr. Topham can target different colors of tattoo ink, including the really tough ones — blue and green.
Although you’ll see a big difference at the end of your appointment, tattoo removal isn’t a one-time treatment. Depending on your tattoo's size, color, and location, it’ll take several sessions to completely eliminate your tattoo.
Dr. Topham uses the Kirby-Desai Scale to estimate the number of treatment sessions you’ll need to remove your tattoo. It factors in your skin type, the color and amount of ink, the depth of the ink in your skin, the tattoo’s location, and any scarring or tissue change. Each factor has a point value, and your total score determines the numbers of session you’ll need.
Don’t live with regret — call Holladay Dermatology & Aesthetics to schedule your enlighten tattoo removal.
