Laser Tattoo Removal

Non-Surgical Laser Treatments Laser Tattoo Removal

Many people use tattoos to express themselves and style their appearance. Preferences and interests can change with time, however, and you may no longer want that tattoo you were once so excited about. If you have unwanted tattoos, the Langdon Center offers laser tattoo removal to erase your ink and restore a clean canvas. 

What is Laser Tattoo Removal?

Tattoos don’t have to be a lifetime commitment if you don’t want them to be. With the most cutting-edge technology, we can remove unwanted tattoos with simple laser treatments. Laser tattoo removal uses Q-switched laser devices to break down the pigment of a tattoo.

Dr. Langdon was one of the first physicians in the United States to acquire the PicoSure laser, the first of a new generation of medical lasers to deliver ultra-short pulses in the picosecond (trillionths of a second) range. Ordinary Q-switched lasers deliver pulses in nanoseconds, which is billionths of a second. Clinical studies have proven that PicoSure laser treatments typically clear tattoos in less than half the time of standard Q-switched lasers and with fewer treatments. 

This dramatically increased efficacy is possible because the picosecond-range high-energy laser pulses are much better at breaking up tattoo ink particles. The smaller the ink particles, the faster the body can remove them from the skin through natural lymphatic activity.

The Langdon Center is one of the very few laser centers in the country that have two picosecond lasers for tattoo removal. We recently installed the PiQo4 laser, adding four additional laser wavelengths in the picosecond pulse range. The PiQo4 offers significantly more power than the PicoSure and enables us to treat nearly all colors of tattoo ink.

Watch library.

Frequently Asked Questions

Laser tattoo removal uses specialized “Q-switched” lasers to deliver extremely short pulses of high-intensity laser light into the treated area. The tattoo ink particles absorb the laser energy, which causes the particles to break apart. The tattoo ink is shattered into smaller fragments that are then safely removed by the body’s natural elimination system. Laser tattoo removal is a safe and effective method to fade and get rid of unwanted tattoos.

The first step to remove your unwanted tattoo is a detailed consultation with Dr. Langdon so he can evaluate your tattoo’s color, age, and size. Depending on these factors, he’ll determine the best laser treatment and how many sessions may be needed to remove it.

You’ll likely need multiple laser treatments to remove your unwanted tattoo. The laser procedure can cause some mild discomfort, and we will provide a topical numbing cream if needed. Each session typically takes an hour or less, and you’ll likely need several for optimal results.

You can resume your regular activities after laser tattoo removal without downtime. Patients can expect some redness and swelling in the treated area, which typically only lasts a few hours. Occasionally, there may be minor blistering. 

Taking care of your skin and keeping it moisturized will help minimize side effects and speed up recovery. Dr. Langdon will give you aftercare instructions for your laser tattoo removal treatments. You’ll need to keep the treatment area clean and apply ointment daily. Patients should also protect the area from sun exposure and avoid tight-fitting clothes during recovery.

Laser tattoo removal takes multiple treatments over several weeks to fade a tattoo. Depending on the tattoo, you’ll likely need at least four treatments scheduled eight weeks apart. 

Although results vary depending on the tattoo’s depth, density, color, and location, most patients find that the treated area is indistinguishable from the surrounding skin. In some cases, the skin pigment may be slightly lighter or darker. Laser tattoo removal is typically considered the most effective way to get rid of unwanted tattoos.

Tattoos on any area of the body can be treated with our specialized tattoo removal lasers. The Langdon Center is one of the few laser centers with two of the latest generation Picosecond-range tattoo removal lasers, allowing us to offer the most efficient treatments for tattoos of any color. 

Most people who have unwanted tattoos are good candidates for laser tattoo removal. Since the laser targets pigment in the skin, we may not recommend this treatment for patients with dark skin tones. During your consultation, Dr. Langdon will assess your tattoo and skin type to create a personalized treatment plan. 

*Individual results may vary.

Laser tattoo removal results.

Take the next step.

To learn more about laser tattoo removal or to schedule your consultation with Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Langdon, please fill out the form on this page or call The Langdon Center at (203) 453-8625 We look forward to working with you! The Langdon Center serves patients in the Guilford & New Haven, CT areas.