Dr. John D. Stover DDS, MD, PhD
TRIPLE BOARD CERTIFIED:
Diplomate, American Board of Cosmetic Surgery
Diplomate, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Diplomate, National Board of Dental Anesthesiology
Cosmetic Centers of Hawaii
Most comprehensive cosmetic surgical procedures in Hawaii
LASER TREATMENTS
Tattoo Removal
Today's laser treatments can remove unwanted tattoos easier than in the past!
What is Tattoo Removal?
Tattoo removal is a laser treatment that removes all colors of a tattoo that you no longer want. In the past, tattoo removal procedures have been quite painful and prone to scarring. Luckily, today's advances make the process much easier for both patient and doctor.
At the Cosmetic Centers of Hawaii, we use a state-of-the-art laser technology called the Alex TriVantage from the Candela Corporation. This laser uses a pulse mode to gently break up the ink pigments in your skin and is "tuned" to the colors of your tattoo. It can be used to remove small or large tattoos that are single color or multicolored.
The number of treatments required depends on multiple factors. Black tattoos are easier to remove than lighter colored tattoos, for example. The older the tattoo, the easier it is to remove because the ink starts to break down over time. A professionally done tattoo is more difficult to remove than a homemade tattoo. Typically, you may need 3 to 14 treatments spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart in order to achieve the desired result.
The Alex TriVantage can also be used to remove birthmarks, freckles, sun spots, age spots, benign pigmented lesions, and some scars.
What Can I Expect from Tattoo Removal?
Most people report that tattoo removal feels like a rubber band snapping against their skin, so while it is not completely painless, the discomfort is mild. Receiving a tattoo is considerably more painful than removing one, but a topical anesthetic will be applied and a local anesthetic will be injected in the treatment area. This will make your procedure almost pain-free. Additionally, the Alex TriVantage reduces much of the bleeding and scarring that earlier lasers caused.
The healing process after each laser tattoo removal treatment takes one to two weeks. You may feel a sensation similar to sunburn during that time. You may also be instructed to apply ointment after your procedure, but no downtime is required. In fact, the after-care is very similar to what you followed after you received your tattoo. You can return to work and your daily activities immediately, although you should avoid strenuous physical activity.
Note that there is no treatment that completely removes most tattoos, but the Alex TriVantage laser has the ability to fade your tattoo so that it will be barely noticeable – no more than a light shadow should be left on your skin after your treatments. Lighter skin tones receive the best results. During your consultation, we will tell you what you can expect with your particular tattoo.
Since tattoos are designed to be permanent, you need a skilled practitioner to remove them. A physician like Dr. Stover, who is highly experienced and board-certified, will help to ensure that you are happy with your results.
There is no need to live with tattoos that you no longer want – have them removed safely with laser tattoo removal
Dr. John D. Stover is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon and a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon. He is a fellow of both the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Dr. Stover continually updates his knowledge, skills and practice in the latest surgical and non-surgical procedures, which has made him one of Hawaii's leading cosmetic surgeons. His Cosmetic Centers of Hawaii are located in Kona, Hilo, and Waimea on the Big Island.
