DO YOU REGRET HAVING THAT TATTOO?

Do You Regret Having That Tattoo?

We all have our regrets, past experiences we want to forget. Unfortunately, some leave permanent marks we cannot easily erase. This includes tattoo regret for some 20% to 30% of individuals with body ink.

The most popular reason: Falling out of love. They want the name of an ex erased. Other reasons are 1) Botched eyebrow tattoo job, and 2) A shot at a terrific job that is not compatible with having a tattoo of a fire-breathing dragon. With the increasing number of people having tattoos, the demand for tattoo removal is likewise growing significantly.

Before, there is no recourse but to go for invasive options such as acid removal or surgical excision.  The high-risk procedures can produce scars that are more unsightly than the tattoo itself.

Today, advanced aesthetic lasers have made it possible for safer and more effective removal of unwanted tattoos. They target the ink’s pigment with a high intensity laser beam causing it to break up into smaller molecules.  The natural bodily processes then absorb the ink, fading the tattoo until it is no longer visible.

The gold standard for tattoo removal is Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, with hand pieces delivering laser beam at 1064 nm for dark ink, and 532 nm for colored ink. They also have micro-adjustments for spot size and depth. Treatment may take between 3 to 6 sessions, depending on the depth of the tattoo and the inks used. Treatment interval is 3 to 6 weeks.

If you are one of those now saying, “I should have listened to Mom,” you know the good news. Start by having your free consultation at SkinStation for your MedLight Laser Tattoo Removal treatment.
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This column was published in the Manila Bulletin Lifestyle Section on October 14, 2014 . The author is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. Skin Smart aims to clarify facts and myths on skin care. Send your questions and comments to info@skinstation.ph. 

Laser Hair Removal 101 (Part 2)

Laser Hair Removal 101 (Part 2)

What was once thought as impossible, virtually painless diode laser hair removal is now available. To avoid the pain associated with conventional lasers, the breakthrough technology called Super Hair Removal (SHR) uses low energy and rapid pulsing diode laser. Single pulsed lasers use high energy to be effective, and would require the use of numbing creams to ease the pain. The use of numbing creams can be harmful if applied over large areas. 

Epidermal cooling is also used to reduce pain and prevent skin damage. Cool gel is applied on area to be treated, and the chilled tip mechanism of the laser ensures the surface of skin stays cool and comfortable throughout the treatment. 

The number of sessions needed depends on the area of the body being treated. Notably, the face requires around 8 to 10 sessions to achieve desired results compared to 5 to 6 sessions for the legs. After that, 1 to 2 touch-up treatments every year maybe needed. Other factors to be considered are skin color, coarseness of hair, and gender. Coarse dark hair on light skin is easiest to treat. 

Hair grows in several phases: anagen, telogen, and catagen. Laser treatment works only on the currently active growing hair follicles, called the anagen phase. The hair population has only between 10 and 20% in anagen stage. Hence, several sessions are needed for effective long term result. Treatment sessions should be timed when inactive follicles are just starting to grow again.

Treatment intervals can be from 4 to 8 weeks depending on the area being treated. The face usually requires more frequent treatments at 4 weeks apart, whereas arms and legs require around 6 to 8 weeks. 

Painless diode laser hair removal on legs

The hairs may appear to grow faster after the treatment, but most of the treated hairs will shed in about 2 weeks or so. If you pull the treated hairs with tweezers, there will be no more resistance which means the follicles have been damaged. Subsequent sessions will have longer treatment intervals as hair becomes thinner and regrowth slows down. 

Once you have decided to have your laser hair removal, you should not pluck or wax at least one month prior to the treatment. That's because the laser targets the hairs' roots, which are temporarily removed by waxing or plucking. You should also avoid unnecessary sun exposure on areas to be treated for one month before and after treatment. Sun exposure increases the risk of complications during and after treatment. 

SkinStation offers the best value in laser hair removal with the painless SHR available in all its branches. Compared with a lifetime of shaving, waxing or plucking, SkinStation can save you both time and money. Check out the very affordable packages being offered.

______________________________________________________________________________________This was published in the June 19, 2012 issue of Manila Bulletin Lifestyle Section. The author is the CEO of SkinStation. He received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulations Commission for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. He can be reached at fred.reyes@skinstation.ph.