PiQo4

TWC employs a state-of-the-art, powerful tattoo removal laser – PiQo4 by Lumenis. This 4 wavelength NanoSecond, (also called Q-Switched Laser), and PicoSecond laser is highly effective at removing a wide range of ink with minimal side effects. This laser is FDA approved for the removal of dermal pigmentation (tattoo ink) and has the biggest spot size to make treatments fast, quicker recovery time, more comfortable and safer on your skin.

• Q-Switched Laser (NanoSecond) and PiQo4 (PicoSecond) are both lasers
• PicoSecond lasers operate at very fast speeds and are measured in PicoSeconds, which is one trillionth of a second while, Q-switched lasers are measured in NanoSeconds which is one billionth of a second
• Both break up the ink particles that get digested by your body
• PicoSecond lasers break down the link into smaller particles than Q-switched lasers
• PicoSecond lasers use photo-mechanical/pressure waves to fracture your ink particles while Q-Switched lasers use photo-thermal/heat to breakdown ink
• Powerful Picosecond lasers get the best ink clearance

Your immune system cannot breakdown large ink particles so it is necessary to break the ink particles into very fine particles. The pigment in your tattoo will absorb the energy from the laser and shatter. The incredibly fast pulse (one trillionth of a second – PicoSecond) of energy from the laser causes a shockwave effect that shatters the ink. As a result, the ink particles are broken into rocks and then pebbles and finally tiny sand granules.

Once the ink is broken down by the laser, the body will respond by moving fluid to the area to help flush away the ink. This immune response will be obvious in the form of some swelling and redness in the area. Over the next days, weeks, and months the small, shattered ink particles will be flushed away naturally by your immune system into the lymph system. The tattoo removal effects do not occur overnight and all tattoos require multiple treatments.

Many tattoos have layers of ink, stacked on top of each other within the skin. This thick concentration of pigment particles cannot be completely broken down in one session. At each session, we will break up as much ink as possible producing some level of fading. If your tattoo has shading, the shaded areas will vanish in fewer treatments because shaded tattoos have a lower ink density.

It is impossible to know for sure, but for most the results are awesome! There are no FDA regulations on tattoo ink and there are hundreds of manufacturers with unique formulations, ingredients, colors, and many artists use a proprietary formula to produce their art. Some colors may require more treatments to remove.  Each tattoo fades at a different rate and sometimes a small amount of pigmentation may remain in the skin even after multiple treatments. This is known as ghosting and is generally accepted as the endpoint for tattoo removal.  The goal is to remove all the ink in your skin, however some ink colors are resistant. White ink cannot be degraded by any laser. Sometimes because of the metallic elements in the tattoo, the ink may turn darker and become resistant to treatment.

You should wait a minimum of six months before getting laser treatments or you will be more likely to have skin damage and scaring.

Yes, our laser can remove tattoos in all shapes and sizes. Determining factors include depth of ink, location, existing scarring, layering, and most importantly colors of ink.

Yes, you can remove sections of your tattoo, or treat to fade the tattoo enough to cover up with another tattoo.

The age, location and quality of the tattoo and colors used, combined with your body’s ability to dispose of the ink will determine the total number of treatments needed. It is extremely difficult to estimate the exact number of treatments because your immune system plays a huge role in removal. Every person and tattoo is unique and some might require more while others require less. For tattoos that will be covered up, an average of 2-5 laser tattoo removal treatments will be needed, depending on the size and pigment density of your current piece, the desired cover-up tattoo and how comfortable your artist is doing the new tattoo.  We will work with you and your tattoo artist to determine how many tattoo removal treatments will be needed.  Homemade tattoos often require as little as 4 laser tattoo removal treatments to remove.

Each person recovers differently, we generally suggest 5-6 weeks between treatments however, depending on your body’s response, pigment saturation and other factors it could be longer, 8-12 weeks.

Laser tattoo removal is safe and effective method to remove tattoos. Creams, lotions, and medication DO NOT work! If you do not like your tattoo, the only alternative is to cover it up with another tattoo. You can treat the tattoo until it fades enough to cover it with another tattoo. There is very little evidence that “magic creams” help to fade tattoos. At best, they may act like a mild skin bleach to lighten the surrounding skin. So far, no study has shown they actually work. Injection methods of tattoo removal may damage the skin. Surgery is another option to completely remove your ink. Surgical dermabrasion is another form of surgery that has been used to remove ink.

Tattoo removal is very safe as long as the you follow ALL Aftercare instructions. Aftercare plays a large part in how well a tattoo comes off and what the end result looks like.

Laser tattoo removal is performed on all parts of the body except near the eye. Some areas can be more sensitive or considered higher risk, Dr. Hernberg will assess your ink during the consultation to determine what is considered safe and what is high risk.

There is a list of contraindications for this procedure. Please call the office to get a list of the CONTRAINDICATIONS.

Modern tattoo removal lasers such as the PiQo4 will generally not scar the skin. The pulse from the laser is so fast that only the tattoo pigmentation is affected and surrounding cells and tissue are usually left undamaged. Scarring was an issue in the past when the equipment used for tattoo removal was less sophisticated. There is much less reason to be concerned about scarring unless you have a history of keloid scarring, or have pre-existing scaring.

Patients compare the discomfort of the laser with that of a rubber band snapping against their skin. Individuals have a different pain tolerance so it is difficult to make a generalized statement regarding the level of discomfort. Some patients compare the discomfort to placement of the tattoo but a key difference is that laser tattoo removal is much quicker – most treatments take between 30 seconds and 10 minutes for completion. Black ink tattoos are slightly less uncomfortable to remove than colored tattoos due to the wavelength of light used to break up the ink. Within minutes of the procedure being finished, most patients report little to no discomfort at all. At TWC, we use the Zimmer super cold air delivery system to cool the area before going over with the laser and offer two types of numbing options, topical creams and injectable anesthetics. To minimize the discomfort, we recommend taking two extra strength Tylenol one hour before the procedure. Dr. Hernberg will discuss the options at your consultation.

You can expect to experience some redness, swelling, and minor blistering of the skin after a laser treatment. These side effects are temporary and your skin will heal. We provide our patients detailed Aftercare instructions to help them manage their skin after the treatment.

There are several different factors that are involved when pricing laser tattoo removal. Those factors include, size, ink density, location, age, number of treatments. Because no two tattoos are alike, we would have to physically see the tattoo in order to assess it and give you the best quote. That is why we offer FREE consultations. During your consultation you will meet with Dr. Hernberg, and he will assess the tattoo, review your health status, determine a treatment plan individualized to your needs and then provide pricing. We offer an AFFORDABLE, NO INTEREST FINANCING PLAN to help you get started with your removal process.

At TWC, Dr. Hernberg performs a free Consultation to make sure you are a candidate for tattoo removal. Additionally, we want to make sure you completely understand and are comfortable with the procedure before starting. We can also can often do a portion of it over the phone if you are not local.

Choosing to have your tattoo lightened prior to a cover up will result in a much better quality final tattoo, and is often suggested by tattoo artists.  We can stop treatments when your tattoo artist is happy with the results and confident they can give you the tattoo you desire.

The chances of scaring are low if the Aftercare instructions are closely followed.  There is a slight possibility of hyper-pigmentation or hypo-pigmentation, which will be covered during your initial consultation.  Preexisting scars present prior to laser tattoo removal will still be there after treatments, only the inks will be targeted and effected.

You will generally see an immediate change after the very first treatment but because of the inconsistency in tattoo ink, you may not see a significant change after each session. It is not uncommon for the tattoo to become darker and bolder within the first 72 hours of treatment, then to start showing signs of fading 14-21 days later.  We photograph each tattoo prior to treatment so we can monitor your progress.

Wash and clean the skin, shave any hair the night before or morning of and avoid any lotions or body glitter prior to treatment.  When you come into the office, wear comfortable clothing so we can easily access the tattoo. It is helpful to have a light meal or snack a few hours prior to treatment.

Complete Aftercare Instructions will be given at the time of removal, including take home instructions.