As a good place for medical advice (j/k), has anyone had a tattoo removed lately? We have a local facility that advertises a PiQo4 tattoo removal laser. Laser has evolved so fast, does anyone have experience with the treatment of such a device. My company does urological lasers, so I know how fast the technology advances. My tattoo is 37 years old, the ink is quite different than what they use now.

I recently had a 45 year old tattoo removed with this laser technology. It took about 2 years with treatments every 3 months or so. No more tattoo, no scaring, no one is the wiser. The main tattoo disappeared quickly, but the green color was the stubborn color to remove. With that said, last year the shop got a new laser with a different frequency and that got the green going quickly.

Cost of removal?

The cost is determined by size....Mine was medium sized and I paid about $1K

Fun timing.

I just had my second laser treatment today. It wasn't done by the specific machine you listed, but was done by a pretty new machine (less than 6 months old).

After first treatment, you could see a significant amount of lightening to the ink. I need to heal up before I can see the change after this last hit.

Hurts like a b**** to have it removed.

I've gotten my treatments at a school that teaches students how to use the machine. Very careful supervision, so no real worries on them screwing up, and the cost is $0.00. Something you may want to look into if you are wanting one removed.

I've heard that the lighter colors are harder to remove.

My brother had a large solid colored shoulder blade piece laser removed. It’s taken 3 years and almost all of it is gone. He figures another year and there will be no “shadow” left. I have no idea how much it’s cost. Since he’s in Portola Valley area I’m sure it was not cheap

I have no tats, but I am still cringing over the phrase "urological lasers." OUCH!

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
I have no tats, but I am still cringing over the phrase "urological lasers." OUCH!

Reminds me of a certain James Bond movie (can't remember the title)!

Goldfinger

My last tattoo covered my ribs on my left side of my body. My tattoo artist said the pain would be 10/10. He has tatts on his skull. He said that pain was only 5 out of 10. Anyway he wasn’t kidding. By hr three I had tears rolling down my face. Eight hrs from the start, he was done.
Totally worth it though. (Saint George & the Dragon). I’m thinking of getting my other side done

Just think, in 37 years, you can tell people how much it hurt to have it removed

I have a consultation Sunday. Our urological lasers are for kidney stones. If I had a stone, I would want lithotripsey, not laser! I've had to be present for both procedures over the years. Even tho your asleep, I don't want that thing stuck up my pee pee!

Heard on a program the other day that the tatoo craze is starting to peak. With that in mind I wondered how many people are going to want them removed. Sad how ridiculous some people are going to look in their old age with a bunch of sagging tats.