FAQ

All lasers that are strong enough to efficiently remove tattoos are considered to be “medical grade”. They are both powerful and dangerous. They are only available to be sold to qualified medical professionals. Learn more about this…

The “R” stands for Repeating or Rapid while the “20 “stands for 20 minutes. The R20 Method will do a single pass of the laser every 20 minutes. This is essentially 2 (or more) removal treatments during one visit. Learn more about this…

The DeScribe patch is an FDA approved patch the improves the medical tattoo removal process. It is only available to medical professionals. Learn more about this…

Tattoo removal is performed using laser technology and is not painless.  VanishMD is a medical office with the ability to minimize your discomfort as much as possible.  The process is fast and we make every effort to make your session as comfortable and painless as possible. Multiple anesthesia choices are available to make you comfortable and even painless.

Depending on your level of comfort you may return to work almost immediately.  We recommend wearing clean bandages and applying Aquaphor, Neosporin, or Bacitracin to the treated area for the first few days after your laser tattoo removal session.  Loose-fitting clothing should be worn over any treated areas to reduce discomfort and to prevent irritation.

The cost of tattoo removal varies by the size of the tattoo being treated.  During your initial consultation, we will give you a quote for the cost of tattoo removal treatments. You can also use our pricing tool to get a good estimate of cost.

Most patients experience some redness, swelling, and minor blistering of the skin after a laser treatment. These side effects are temporary and your skin should heal completely. Scarring is extremely uncommon.  Please reference our aftercare instructions to reduce any side-effects you may experience.

Absolutely.  Tattoo removal has come a long way since it was first introduced.  If you have already tried to remove a tattoo but were not pleased with the results, schedule a free consultation with our friendly staff and talk to us about how we can help you complete the tattoo removal.

Laser tattoo removal uses specific laser energies to break up the ink pigment in the skin.  The small ink fragments are then flushed out of the body by the lymphatic system.  A series of treatments leads to removal of the tattoo ink from the skin.

Advances in tattoo laser technology now allow for removal of nearly all tattoos.  Black tattoo ink was traditionally the easiest tattoo ink to remove, but advancing laser technology now allows the removal of all colors.

Depending on the size of the tattoo being treated, one laser tattoo removal treatment can take between five minutes and thirty minutes.  Traditional tattoo removal methods involve performing one tattoo removal treatment approximately every six weeks. The R20 technique allows for multiple treatments to be performed during a single visit, which makes the tattoo removal process work faster than it previously did. Today the new DeScribe patches provider multiple treatments in one visit with better tolerance and effectiveness.

Laser tattoo removal  requires multiple treatment sessions. The results of this treatment vary, depending upon the colors of the tattoo, age of the tattoo, and pigmentation of the patient. With newer technology and treatment enhancements most ink can be removed in 4-6 treatments.

Yes, it is. When performed correctly by a certified, experienced laser technician, laser tattoo removal is both safe and effective.

Treatments are performed by certified laser technicians. These highly trained professionals take your treatments very seriously. Most of them have had the treatments themselves and can relate to what you are experiencing. All treatment parameters are reviewed by our medical director, Wayne Wertheim, M.D., prior to starting your treatments to assure your safety and efficacy of treatment.
The following are not permitted to perform laser tattoo removal in New York state:

• Cosmetologists
• Electrologists
• Skin “Specialists”
• Beauticians
• Tattoo Artists
• Massage Therapists
• Spa Attendants

There could be any number of reasons. One key factor could be the type of laser that was used. Some lasers do not see blue ink, others red ink, and so on. If your practitioner used the wrong laser for your tattoo or if they used a low energy setting, large spot size, or short pulse width, your results are sub-optimal. There are those very rare tattoos that cannot be removed completely

We recommend 6-8 weeks between each treatment.

Waiting six to eight weeks or more between treatments allows for the immune system to flush away the shattered tattoo ink. Some skin types need a longer time to heal as they are more sensitive. In addition, the body never stops flushing out the shattered ink, so taking eight weeks instead of six weeks might be advantageous.

We recommend that patients limit their physical activity for the first 24-48 hours to avoid irritation or harm to the treated area. After that, patients can go about their days normally, however sun exposure should be limited until the treatment area is completely healed.

Tattoos can be lightened in preparation for a cover-up tattoo. We recommend that you wait six weeks between your last treatment and when you have the new tattoo completed.

Although blisters and scabs can be a normal response to tattoo removal, most patients will not experience them. In the case that you do, it is important to not pop or pick at them. If the blister pops on its own, keep the skin over it covered with a healing ointment and gauze to promote healing and prevent scarring.

Yes. Although individual results will vary, what goes away does not return when the laser is used to remove a tattoo.

No, we offer free consultations. You will need to provide us with your health history, type of tattoo and age of tattoo, then we will explain the procedure, options for removal and answer any questions along with providing you with a price for the treatment.

Yes. If they’re under 18 years of age, we just need parental consent.

We do not treat pregnant women or women that may be pregnant.