Laser treatments · Benicia, CA
Laser tattoo removal in Benicia, CA
Laser tattoo removal breaks tattoo ink into tiny particles that your body clears away over the weeks after each session. At our Benicia studio, every plan is set by Janeeh Miranda, MSN, FNP-C. Most tattoos need several sessions spaced weeks apart. Black ink fades most easily, and the removal is permanent once the ink is cleared.
Tattoo removalLaser treatments- Downtime
- Redness and swelling, sometimes blistering and crusting
- Results show
- The tattoo lightens after each session
- Lasts
- Permanent, for the ink that clears
How laser tattoo removal works
A tattoo stays put because the ink particles are too big for your body to carry away. A tattoo removal laser delivers pulses of energy so short that they shatter those particles into much smaller ones. Over the following weeks, your immune system clears the fragments, and the tattoo fades.
The laser has to match the ink. Black absorbs every wavelength, so it responds best. Blues and greens used to be the hardest colors, and newer picosecond lasers have made them easier to treat.
Who laser tattoo removal suits
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Laser tattoo removal suits you if:
- You want a tattoo gone, or faded enough for a clean cover-up
- The tattoo is mostly black or dark ink
- You can space sessions weeks apart and keep the area out of the sun between them
- You're ready for a gradual process
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The number of sessions depends on the tattoo itself:
- How old it is
- How big it is, and where it sits on your body
- How many colors it has, and which ones
- How deep the ink sits, and whether it was done by a professional or an amateur
- Your skin tone
Your laser tattoo removal appointment, step by step
Consultation
Janeeh looks at the tattoo's size, colors, age and depth, and your skin tone, and gives you a realistic session estimate. If you're fading for a cover-up, bring your tattoo artist's plan.
Treatment
Most people don't need anesthesia. For smaller tattoos, a topical numbing cream makes the laser more comfortable. Each pulse is a quick, sharp snap.
Aftercare
The area will be red and swollen. Apply antibiotic ointment and a bandage, use an ice pack for comfort, and clean the area daily with soap and water. Blistering and crusting can happen. Don't pick. Cover the area with high-SPF sunscreen when you're outside.
Your next session
Sessions are spaced weeks apart so your skin heals and your body clears the ink. The AAD advises protecting treated skin from the sun for 3 months.
Pricing
How tattoo removal pricing works
The cost of tattoo removal depends mainly on the size of the tattoo, and larger tattoos cost more. The number of sessions you need, which depends on the ink colors, age and depth, sets the total.
Memberships
VIP members pay $149 a month and get it back as $149 of treatment credit, plus 15% off laser and energy treatments. Unused credit rolls over while the membership stays active, which suits sessions spaced weeks apart.
Compare membershipsLaser tattoo removal questions
How many sessions does laser tattoo removal take?
Laser tattoo removal takes several sessions, spaced weeks apart, and the exact number depends on the tattoo. Size matters most, along with the tattoo's age, ink colors, depth, location and whether a professional or an amateur did it. Janeeh gives you a realistic session estimate at your consultation, before you commit.
Does laser tattoo removal hurt?
Laser tattoo removal is uncomfortable, and most patients get through it without anesthesia. Each pulse feels like a quick, sharp snap. For smaller tattoos, a topical numbing cream makes treatment more comfortable. Bony or thin-skinned areas, like the ankle, wrist and ribs, tend to feel it more than the upper arm or back.
Can laser tattoo removal remove every color?
Laser tattoo removal works best on black ink, which absorbs every laser wavelength. Blue and green inks have become easier to treat with picosecond lasers, but no single laser removes every color completely. Some colors can leave a faint shadow. Janeeh tells you what to expect for your tattoo's colors at the consultation.
What is recovery like after laser tattoo removal?
Recovery after laser tattoo removal means a few days of redness and swelling, and sometimes blistering or crusting. Keep the area clean with soap and water, apply antibiotic ointment and a bandage, and use an ice pack for comfort. Protect the area with high-SPF sunscreen whenever you're outdoors.
Pairs well with laser tattoo removal
Keep exploring
Related treatments
- CO2 laser resurfacing
- Erbium laser resurfacing
- IPL photofacial
- LaseMD Ultra laser treatment
- Laser hair removal
- Laser spider vein removal
- Mini laser peel
Performed at the studio in Benicia, for clients across Benicia, Martinez and Vallejo.
Find out how many sessions your tattoo needs
Book a consultation. Janeeh will look at the ink, tell you honestly how far it's likely to fade, and give you a session estimate and a total before you start.