The Cost Of My Laser Tattoo Removal From My 9th Session

The delight of S 11!

The cost involved so far as of today:
1st treatment: $382
2nd treatment: $212
3rd treatment: $212
4th treatment: $212
5th treatment: $216
6th treatment: $244
7th treatment: $216
8th treatment: $218
9th treatment: $228
Total spent on my laser treatments as of today: $2140

What you must not do before your tattoo removal

Today, the solutions available for tattoo removal are more effective than ever before. Laser tattoo removal solutions have come a long way in recent years with advance technology and machines.

It can be helpful to educate you about the measures you must not do before your session.

Don't get a spray tan or use fake tan lotions.
Fake tan obviously doesn’t come with the same UV exposure as actual sunlight, it can affect your tattoo removal, as you could be coming back for multiple sessions when actually only a few are required. If your body has absorbed products containing toxins, it could mean that you have to spend more time, and money than you need to on tattoo removal. What’s more, some fake tans contain products that can react badly with laser treatment and create pigmentation in the skin.

Don't forget to mention medications you are taking.

Tattoo removal that takes place using the PicoSure laser can be suitable for a number of different people. However, as with a range of different treatments, there are certain precautions that need to be taken, and some medications may interact negatively with your session. Informing your doctor beforehand of the various medications you are taking will help them to decide whether it is safe for you to proceed with laser tattoo removal.

Don't expose your tattoo to sunlight.

Staying out of the sun might not seem like a big deal when you’re approaching your tattoo removal session. However, exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun can increase the natural production of various substances in the body – such as melanin and vitamin D. Melanin soaks up radiation, and causes your skin to tan in the sun – but it can also affect the way that your body responds to the light waves that are used lasers. Staying away from sunlight and UV radiation will help to ensure that your skin is as protective, receptive, and durable as it needs to be for a successful treatment.

Don't come straight from the tattoo studio.

Even if you decide, straight after getting a tattoo, that you want it removed, that doesn’t mean you should head straight in for a session. Exposing your skin to removal treatments too soon after tattoo placement can lead to scarring and ink retention. The reason for this is that tattoos are created through a long-term process of ink entrapment and dermis healing. After a period of around three months, you can rest assured that the pigment will have settled properly into the skin, ready to be removed. Waiting three months will ensure the ink has settled, and the immune system is back on track.

Don't use mechanical epilation.

An epilator is a form of electrical device that is used to remove hair from the skin by pulling multiple hairs out of the body at the same time. Though many people prefer this form of hair removal to other options available on the market today, it’s important to note that mechanical or chemical epilation within a period of six weeks prior to the treatment can alter the healing process.

PicoSure Laser Tattoo Removal Contradictions & Precautions

Tattoo removal with the PicoSure laser is generally suitable for most people; it’s very rare that it can’t treat someone. However, like all laser treatments there are contradictions and precautions that need to be considered for your own safety.

Below are the Contradictions and precautions that are taken into consideration for PicoSure laser tattoo removal treatment.

Contradictions:

• Hypersensitivity to light in the near infrared wavelength region.
• Taking medication which is known to increase sensitivity to sunlight.
• Seizure disorders triggered by light.
• Have type 1 diabetes.
• Take or have taken oral isotretinoin within the last six months.
• Have an active localised or systemic infection, or an open wound in area being treated.
• Have a significant systemic illness or an illness localized in area being treated.
• Have lupus.
• Have common acquired nevi that are predisposed to the development of malignant melanoma.
• Have herpes simplex in the area being treated.
• Are receiving or have received gold treatment.
• Are pregnant.

Precautions

It’s the therapist’s discretion to determine feasibility of treatment administration for the following precautions:

• Unprotected sun exposure within four weeks of treatment, including the use of tanning beds. Sun exposure is the most common reason for treatment refusal.
• Use of tanning products within four weeks of treatment, such as creams, lotions and sprays; these may interfere with the laser treatment.
• We can treat patients with type 2 diabetes whose condition is well managed. In some cases we may need a doctors note.
• Anticoagulants may cause excessive bleeding and interfere with post-treatment healing.
• Medications that alter the wound-healing response may interfere with post-treatment healing and may require special precautions to be taken by the treating therapist.
• If patient is known to have a history of healing problems or a history of keloid formation.
• If patient has a history of skin cancer or suspicious lesions.
• Chemical depilation or mechanical epilation within the last six weeks may interfere with the post-treatment healing process.

If you’re having a tattoo removed or considering it, it’s important you are made aware of the contradictions and precautions listed above. :)

9th Treatment Of My Laser Tattoo Removal

Today marks yet another day of my laser treatment. Time really flies whenever I think back of this journey, when I have made the decision to remove my tattoo. Tracking back my post, the day when I first started was 22nd Dec 2015. Its almost a year!

Above are the pictures of my tattoo ending the 8th treatment. (Before treatment)

I arrived early to apply the numb cream and took about an hour for it to take effect. I have mentioned about the new machine on my earlier post. The discomfort as minimized greatly or was it that I am used to the treatment and have become think skinned! With the cool air blowing out from this machine, the outcome of the treatment was definitely a breeze. Here are the pictures after the 9th treatment.

Immediate effect after the 9th session.

Upon reaching home during the evening, I removed the dressing and took another picture. This summarized my day.

The usual reddish battered and bruise

To be updated soon till my tattoo is totally removed!

8th Treatment Cost Of My Laser Tattoo Removal

Before I shared on the costing, I am going to share the new technology from my research.

Why is PicoWay better than traditional Q-switched lasers?

Q-Switch technology requires numerous treatment sessions, causes significant discomfort during treatment and, in many cases, incompletely removes tattoos and pigmented lesions. Picosecond technology, has ultra-short pulse durations, 100 times shorter than Q-switch lasers, and in the trillionths of a second. These bursts of energy create a photoacoustic impact which breaks up the tattoo ink or pigmentation into smaller, more easily absorbed particles. PicoWay’s unique, proprietary mode of action has the highest peak power and the shortest pulse duration of any picosecond device on the market for superior efficacy, safety and comfort. PicoWay is the answer physicians are looking for to combat the reluctance patients may have to treat tattoos or more complex pigmented lesions.

There you have it! I bold the words "100 times shorter than Q-switch lasers" What a great difference!

The cost involved so far as of today:
1st treatment: $382
2nd treatment: $212
3rd treatment: $212
4th treatment: $212
5th treatment: $216
6th treatment: $244
7th treatment: $216
8th treatment: $218
Total spent on my laser treatments as of today: $1912

Learn More On PicoWay

Before I share the costing involved on the total amount spent so far, I would like to share more info of the PicoWay machine. Costing will come out in my next post.

What is the PicoWay Laser System?

PicoWay is a remarkably innovative dual wavelength picosecond laser from Syneron Candela. PicoWay enables removal of multi-colored tattoos, recalcitrant tattoos and benign pigmented lesions on any skin type. PicoWay’s unique mode of action is based on delivering ultra-short picosecond pulses of energy to the tissue. These bursts of energy create a photo-mechanical impact which breaks up the tattoo ink or pigmentation into smaller, more easily eliminated particles.

What are the advantages of PicoWay?

PicoWay is the world’s first and only dual laser device with proprietary PicoWay technology: Dual wavelengths – 1064 nm & 532 nm wavelengths in one laser system. Treat the widest range of tattoos – 2 wavelengths to treat most tattoo colors & types, including recalcitrant tattoos. Treat dermal and epidermal pigmented lesions – Large spot sizes enable deep penetration when needed. Highest peak power – For effective energy over the broadest range of spot sizes. Shortest picosecond pulses – 40% shorter picosecond pulses mean effective, yet lower energy for less risk of side effects.

Why is PicoWay the best picosecond laser on the market?

PicoWay’s unique, proprietary mode of action has the highest peak power and shortest pulse duration of any picosecond device on the market for superior efficacy, safety and comfort. PicoWay's ultrashort pulses enable the strong photoacoustic impact needed to fracture pigment particles using lower fluences, for better clearance in fewer treatments. PicoWay's novel design architecture enables PicoWay to be robust, reliable and scalable for future application developments.

Rise of The Laser Machines

I found the machine and I remember that the doctor was calibrating the machine before he starts the treatment. I manage to find a nice 2 minutes video intro of the machine here. This is how the machine looks like.

This technology claims to have better results in few treatments for different skin types. Fast results and ultra-fast delivery of concentrated, high-power energy. Minimal risk, minimal discomfort, faster clearance and fewer treatments. The machine went bonking bonking whenever the laser hits my skin. Frankly speaking, I can't really feel the difference at all!

The only thing that I can remember is the soothing feeling of the cool air blowing my skin when the laser hits. Want to see how this awesome cool air blowing machine looks like? Here you go!

My favorite machine!

My 8th Treatment Starts

White spots forming immediately after the procedure has been completed.

The following pictures shown are taken 4 days ago after my 8th treatment. There are 2 identical photos shown with one being auto level to highlight the picture with clarity.

Taken immediately after treatment

Before that I am using the PicoWay machine, doctor was saying that the new machine will decrease the treatment by half. I sure hope that after the 8th treatment, the next one will fully eradicate all my tattoo.

Doctor was saying that he is using a new machine called Syneron Candela. After doing my research, I found out that Syneron Candela is a leading global aesthetic device company with a comprehensive product portfolio and a global distribution footprint.

Can't really remember how the machine looks like. The only thing I know is that it gives a funny and noisy 'bonking' sound every time the laser is activated. I came across this site and I think that, one of the new machine that he uses is inside.

The Progress from my 7th treatment

Tomorrow, I will be having my laser tattoo removal for my 8th treatment. This picture that I will be posting next, pretty sums up the results as of today.

My estimation will be another 2-3 more treatments to fully clear this tattoo. Oh yes, I remember that the doctor was saying that there might be a new machine that he will be using. Hopefully this machine that he will be using can clear everything in one procedure! :)

Tattoo Removal in 5 simple steps

Now that I have been going for my tattoo removal for the last 9 months with 7 treatments in between, I have more or less gain enough knowledge to educate those whom wish to get it done.

1. Do your own research. Most clinics here in SG has complex laser machines when it comes to operating a laser, (actually there are really no such thing as good machine). This includes all laser applications – tattoo removal, laser hair removal, laser rejuvenation, laser pigment removal, any laser treatment.
2. Don’t assume your doctors are trained and specialized in this field, don’t feel embarrassed to ask the question that could save you from severe scarring – “Do you have training? How many times have you done this?”.  It is not necessary for your clinician to be a doctor or a nurse but they should be trained in laser safety and experienced with the particular laser that they are operating.
3. Price is always an important part of a tattoo removal decision as it is costly and takes a big commitment, but you want to know that the clinic you choose will assess your skin for suitability.
4. Stretch your appointments out, you should only be treated once every 4-6 weeks at a minimum, treatments spaced any closer are a watse of money (and only financially benefit the clinic you are attending). It puts your skin at risk of trauma and can render your tattoo un-treatable. For myself I have concluded 7 treatments in 8 months, so its still an acceptable range.
5. Listen to your doctor, tattoo removal after care is quite simple and you should follow the instructions given to you and apply the same after every tattoo removal appointment.  After care is not difficult and if you followed will ensure you do not suffer any unnecessary trauma.

Finally it’s all about the research, read the difference between older lasers such as Q-switched and then compare the technology and results of a different ones and you will come to the conclusion that if you want the fastest, safest possible tattoo removal there are quite a few types of them.