Laser · Medical Aesthetics
Laser Tattoo Removal
Laser tattoo removal can lighten a tattoo you have outgrown, or even remove it fully. Short pulses of laser light break the ink into tiny particles that your body clears away over time. Our laser team offers it in Commerce and, with the PicoSure Pro laser, in Buford.
Sessions
6 to 12
Spacing
4 to 8 weeks
Comfort
Local numbing
Downtime
Usually minimal
Treated by
Laser practitioners
What does laser tattoo removal treat?
A tattoo can stop fitting the life around it: a wedding, a divorce, a baby, a new job, or the daily work of finding clothes that cover it. Its ink stays because the particles are too large for your immune system to carry away.
Our team pairs a Q-switched laser with a fractional CO2 laser. The Q-switched laser breaks the ink apart with short, high-energy pulses, and the CO2 laser makes microscopic openings so ink can also rise out through the surface. The PicoSure Pro is a picosecond laser: its ultra-short pulses use less heat than many traditional lasers.
Our lasers treat amateur and professional tattoos, dark and large ones, and makeup tattoos. How many sessions yours needs depends on its size, its colors, its age, and your skin type.
Complete removal is not always possible, so every plan starts with an honest look at your tattoo and your skin.
Is laser tattoo removal right for you?
That look includes your health: at your consultation, tell us if you have unstable diabetes, an autoimmune disorder, active acne or rosacea, or a pigment condition. Mention any warts or unchecked spots in the area too, so your practitioner can decide whether, and when, to treat. You are likely a good candidate if these describe you.
- In good general health
- A nonsmoker
- Realistic about how much will fade
- Fine with 6 to 12 visits spaced weeks apart
- Able to protect the area from the sun
Not sure? The Virtual Aesthetic Planner takes about five minutes and gives our laser team a head start before your visit.
Before your treatment
You start with an in-person consultation, where your laser practitioner looks at your tattoo and your skin type and builds a treatment plan around them.
Before each session, dermatologic surgeons advise avoiding aspirin and anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as ibuprofen, since they can cause bruising. Ask us at your consultation about anything you take.
What happens during laser tattoo removal?
Each visit follows the same steps, at our laser suite in Commerce or our Buford office.
- Numbing the area
Your practitioner numbs the tattoo with a local anesthetic, so the session is more comfortable. - The laser pulses
The laser passes over the tattoo in short pulses. Some patients feel a slight stinging or warmth, while others compare it to a rubber band snapping against the skin. - Dressing and home
The area may be cooled with an ice pack and covered with an antibacterial ointment and a dressing. Your practitioner gives you aftercare instructions before you head back to your day.
After your treatment
These are typical; every tattoo and every skin type responds at its own pace.
- Right after
Some redness, swelling, or tenderness is common. It is usually minor and passes. - First week
Wash the area gently with mild soap and water, without scrubbing, and keep it moisturized with a gentle, fragrance-free cream. Any scabbing or tenderness usually settles within a week. - 4 to 8 weeks
Your skin usually heals over these weeks while your body clears the broken-up ink. Cover the area or use a high-SPF sunscreen, because sun makes changes in skin color more likely. - Over several months
The tattoo usually lightens slowly from session to session, until your series is complete.
Results
Laser tattoo removal before & after
Individual results vary. Photos are of actual Aesthetic Arts patients and are shared with their permission.
Who treats you
Nurse practitioners · Registered nurses · Aestheticians
Each of them is a laser practitioner on our staff. Our laser suite in Commerce also offers laser hair removal and photofacials for pigment, redness, and sun damage.
Patient reviews
What do our patients say?
★★★★★
Wonderful staff got a tattoo removal up front with everything from expectations and pricing will be back to continue the removal treatment the two employees I dealt with were great would recommend this place
Greg S. · Google
★★★★★
Everyone was very friendly, and I was given some good tips on how to better care for my skin
Kristin W. · Google
★★★★★
Everyone I encountered was professional and pleasant. I felt that my concerns were heard and addressed and a lot of skin care education was given which I greatly appreciated.
Sarah D. · Google
Cost and financing
It is natural to weigh cost early. What you pay for laser tattoo removal depends on the tattoo’s size and colors and how many sessions it needs, which your laser practitioner works out with you at your in-person consultation.
We work with four financing partners: Alphaeon Credit, CareCredit, Cherry Credit, and PatientFi. Each lets you spread the cost over monthly payments. Pre-qualifying takes a few minutes and does not affect your credit score.
Start with a consultation
Meet with our laser team in Commerce or Buford to show us your tattoo, hear what to expect, and plan a series that fits your calendar.
Laser tattoo removal questions, answered
Have a question that isn’t here? Ask us directly.
Does it hurt?
The area is numbed with a local anesthetic first, which lessens the discomfort considerably. Most patients find it much more tolerable than getting the tattoo in the first place, and any tenderness afterward is usually minor.
Can every color be removed?
Black ink absorbs laser energy well and tends to break down more easily. Green, blue, and yellow can be more challenging, and some newer and pastel inks may not come out entirely. Your practitioner looks at your tattoo’s colors at the consultation and tells you what to expect.
Will it leave a scar?
It can. Dermatologic surgeons note that some scarring or a change in skin color is possible, and a raised or thickened scar can appear three to six months after treatment. Choosing trained practitioners lowers the risk, and the fractional CO2 laser can help minimize scarring by supporting healthy skin regeneration.
Is there a good time of year to start?
Our team points to fall and winter as a good season for laser treatments. If you have a beach trip or a summer event coming up, mention it at your consultation so your practitioner can plan your sessions around it.
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Let's Talk
Whether you’re exploring your options or ready to take the next step, we’re here to answer your questions and help you find the right path.
