Laser tattoo removal is designed to remove the ink from your skin. Ideally, it will remove all the colors of the tattoo without harming the skin. It should also not leave an outline of the tattoo, known as “ghosting”. With our state-of-the-art Quanta Q-Plus, we are able to achieve this for most people.
Schedule your free no-pressure consultation to see what this process could look like for you >>
A photoacoustic effect targets ink and pigment with no thermal interaction, thus leaving the surrounding skin preserved. These fragmented particles are then removed via the phagocytosis process. With three true-laser wavelengths (532nm, 694nm, 1064nm) and multiple pulse emission modes, few devices offer the versatility of the Q-Plus EVO. Treat the largest array of tattoo ink colors, including red, yellow, purple, green and blues, even the notorious tough-to-treat light blue, without the cost of disposables or consumables.
The Q-Plus — EVO Series tattoo removal machine is a powerful option for targeting difficult-to-treat ink while preventing damage to the surrounding skin.
Taking Q-switching to the next level, the Q-Plus uses a photo-acoustic effect to target each ink tone. The laser targets tiny particles, making them accessible for phagocytosis — ingestion to rid the body of the pigment safely.
In addition, innovative hand pieces and built-in contact cooling make EVO treatments among the most uniform and comfortable options available. The technology removes excess heat using forced cold air, thereby reducing the risk of side effects.
The price of each treatment depends on several factors, so it is best to schedule your free, no-pressure consultation to get an accurate look at what your individualized tattoo removal journey will cost. We started this business to make this process affordable and available right here in Mid-Missouri.
We have found that most people are candidates for laser tattoo removal. The first thing we’ll look at is your skin color. Because of the way the laser works, the best results are achieved when there is a stark contrast between the tattoo ink and your skin tone. For example, removing black ink on a person with fair skin will likely have better results than removing purple ink on someone with darker toned skin.
It is important to note that if a person is not in good health, they may not be a candidate for laser tattoo removal at this time. During your consultation, your technician will get a detailed medical history, including what medications you are currently taking. It’s critical that you answer openly and honestly to ensure the effectiveness and safety of your procedure.
Leading up to your appointment, it is critical that you avoid exposing the area to be treated to the sun or a tanning bed. If you are too dark from tanning, it can decrease the effectiveness of your appointment and may increase your risk of skin blistering. Therefore, if possible, avoiding sun exposure to the area for 2 weeks prior and post to your treatment is recommended. This small step is important to the success of your tattoo removal journey.
Please also plan on shaving the treatment area the day before your appointment.
Some patients may have some bruising, especially if they are on blood thinners. Therefore, it is recommended that you stop blood thinners at least a week before your treatment.
When you arrive, we’ll get you checked in, answer any questions you may have, and go over a consent form. The machine will be on and may make various funny noises. You will be positioned on the bed and the area to be treated will be cleaned. We’ll use a machine to help minimize the discomfort. Our technician will treat your tattoo with the laser. There will be some mild to moderate discomfort similar to a rubber band snap.
The inked area will then turn white. This is known as “frosting” and is most noticeable the first few treatments. Frosting may not be present with subsequent treatments as the amount of ink fades from the tattoo. Mild bruising can occur, but will resolve on its own. We’ll dress the area with ointment and gauze. You will then be able to go about your normal day.
After you leave, you will need to stay well hydrated. It is mandatory that you avoid exposing the treated area to the sun; this area is more likely to develop a sunburn and possibly blister. You may resume any activities you feel up to. Bathing is not restricted, including immersing the tattoo under water. However, if the water is very hot, such as a hot tub, the treated area may become very red and you may have some discomfort. You will need to apply the ointment twice a day to the treated area and cover it with a dressing for 2 weeks. Some patients may experience flu-like symptoms within 48 hours of treatment. Staying well hydrated and using Tylenol or ibuprofen will minimize this possibility.
Once all the tattoo ink has been removed, the results are permanent. You will no longer have your tattoo.
Tattoo removal is considered a cosmetic procedure and therefore will not be covered by most insurance companies.
All tattoos naturally fade over time. If you waited two hundred years your tattoo would be almost completely faded. The laser speeds up this process by breaking up the tattoo ink into much smaller particles that can be cleared faster by your own immune system. The Laser emits a strong and focused beam of light that passes harmlessly through the upper layers of skin to the particles of pigment in your tattoo. The laser light heats and vibrates the ink into smaller microscopic particles that are filtered and taken away by your body’s lymphatic system (your body’s natural cleansing mechanism) over a period of 6-8 weeks. The Quanta Q-Plus C laser pulse is so short (one billionth of a second) that the surrounding skin is not affected or scarred.
Most people describe the sensation to be similar to having a rubber band snapped against their skin. The procedure is very fast and will be over before you know it. We use a machine called a Zimmer, which blows very cold air and chills the skin during the procedure. Pain is your personal perception and everyone experiences it differently.
The Quanta Q-Plus C laser has three different wavelengths (or colors) allowing it to selectively erase a whole spectrum of colors, including stubborn blues and greens. Most lasers are only capable of putting out one wavelength, which significantly limits their ability to treat colors selectively without causing scarring or pigment changes.
Our laser can treat all of the colors in your tattoo, although some colors respond better than others. Blacks and reds respond relatively quickly while other colors may require more treatments.
Probably not. Most tattoos require multiple treatments for full removal. There are several different factors involved in determining how many treatments your particular tattoo will require, including skin type, location, color, amount of ink, scarring or tissue change, and layering. Your body’s response to the laser will also dictate the number of times we get to welcome you back for treatment. We use the Fitzpatrick Scale to assign a value to your skin type and the Kirby-Desai tattoo removal scale to estimate how many treatments it will take to remove your tattoo. During your consultation we will discuss the number of treatments we estimate you’ll need for your tattoo to be completely removed.
But remember, this is an estimate. Your skin and your tattoo are unique to you – so it may take more or fewer treatments depending on how things go with each visit.
Yes. The healing you see is not the reason for the spacing of your treatments. The laser does not expel the ink, it breaks it up so your body’s lymphatic system can take it away. If you treat your tattoo too frequently, the laser is simply targeting the ink your body hasn’t had the chance to remove, and you pay more for the same result.
Each person and each tattoo is different and unique, and therefore there are varying responses to the laser treatment. Depending on how your ink and your body respond to the treatment, you may see a noticeable difference after your first appointment. But, for some it may take several appointments for fading to appear.
Most patients will not scar, however, scarring is a possibility in any medical procedure involving the skin. If you are predisposed to Keloids, or you scar easily, your chances are higher. Closely following our instructions for aftercare will reduce your chances of scarring. However, if the tattoo was done over a scar, or if the artist scared you while doing your tattoo, the laser removal process will not impact the appearance of an existing scar.
On rare occasion hypopigmentation (decrease in normal skin color) or hyperpigmentation (increase in normal skin color) may occur. This is usually temporary.
You may resume all activities soon after treatment, provided you ensure the area is not rubbed or scratched. If you are in the sun, you should cover the treated area to prevent sunburn until the skin has healed.
In the first 24 hours after treatment, ice the area periodically along with rest and elevation of the treated site. It’s also a good idea to limit physical activities and avoid saunas or swimming.
Take care not to pop blisters or pick scabs, as this will make you more prone to scarring and infection. Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds during the healing process. Wait 6-8 weeks between treatments. It is also safe to resume physical activities. Swimming is to be avoided if not fully healed.
Yes. The laser tattoo removal process is very precise. We can remove tiny details just as easily as we can remove an entire piece of art.
We do not treat these types of tattoos at Theia Laser. Some cosmetic inks have metallic bases. When the laser comes in contact with these inks, it can turn black. Be cautious of anyone who says they can effectively remove cosmetic ink. Once this darkening occurs, it cannot be removed by any laser. You may end up with permanent black lip liner. Tattooed eyeliner cannot be removed due to the danger of the laser near the eye, and the ink in permanent eyebrows could migrate up the forehead causing a shadow effect.
Individuals 16 or older can have a parent or legal guardian sign for them. Some restrictions will apply. Parent AND child must have a state or federal issued photo ID (drivers license, non-drivers state ID, military ID, passport) plus the child’s birth certificate. Legal guardians must also provide their guardianship paperwork from the courts.