Frequently Asked Questions

Tattoos are made by injecting ink particles into the dermis, the deepest layer of skin. Upon tattoo application, your immune system detects the ink particles as unwelcome foreign material and starts the process of breaking down the tattoo ink. This is why tattoos naturally fade over time. Throughout this natural process of your tattoo ink breaking down, your body sends bacteria-eating cells called macrophages to remove the ink. Due to the intricate placement and size of the ink particles, the macrophages can only chip away tiny fragments at a time, so the ink remains trapped in the dermis cells, also known as fibroblasts. Over a lifetime, the macrophages continuously work away at the trapped ink, which is constantly absorbed by newer fibroblasts. This explains why tattoos gradually fade and lose color but are also permanently etched into your skin.

Our lasers speed up the natural fading process by emitting ultra-short pulses of light energy into the dermis to be absorbed by the tattoo ink particles. The absorption of light energy causes the ink particles to heat up and shatter into tiny fragments that the macrophages can more easily digest and remove. After a series of treatments, you will see your tattoo gradually fade and lighten until no ink is visible. Each laser treatment shatters the shallowest layer of ink and works its way down until your desired skin goal is achieved.

The rate at which your tattoo fades depends on several factors including the type of ink applied, if it was professionally done, and which part of the body that tattoo was placed on. In addition to the factors previously stated, the speed of removal also relies on your immune system. The laser simply assists by breaking up the ink particles, but your body does all the hard work of removing the shattered ink particles from your skin. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and improving the well-being of your immune system will quicken the speed at which your tattoo fades. For the best results, we recommend drinking lots of water, exercising, and massaging around the treatment area.

Laser tattoo removal is the only procedure that can safely and effectively penetrate the dermis without harming any surrounding tissue. At Bonsai Tattoo Removal, we can remove your tattoo completely or fade it for a cover-up tattoo. Call us today to schedule your free consultation!

Micro-bladed Brow Removal

When eyebrows are micro-bladed, the aesthetic practitioner creates delicate hair-like strokes with tattoo ink in a superficial layer of the skin. This pigment is deposited with each stroke, mimicking natural eyebrow hairs.

Our advanced laser removal technology is a safe and effective solution to bid farewell to dark micro-bladed or tattooed eyebrows. Unlike other methods of tattoo removal, our laser tattoo removal process is gentle on the skin. It precisely targets and shatters the brow ink particles, which are then naturally eliminated by the body’s immune system, leaving the surrounding tissue unaffected. Our lasers deliver controlled energy to break down ink layers, ensuring the best results for significant fading or complete removal. The Astanza Trinity features three powerful wavelengths, 1064 nm, 694 nm and 532 nm, with ultra-short pulses that effectively remove dark and stubborn eyebrow ink. The three wavelengths target a broad spectrum of ink colors, effectively removing dark pigments like black and brown and lighter colors like red and orange, which can be found in the deeper layers of tattooed eyebrows.

How many treatments will I need?

Since every tattoo is different and everyone heals at different rates, there is no set number of treatments for laser tattoo removal. The number of treatments needed varies client-to-client based on their tattoo. On average, tattoo patients need between 5 to 10 treatments for complete removal and 3 to 4 treatments for significant fading. Eyebrow treatments only need about 3 on average. Bonsai Tattoo Removal can provide a better quote after assessing your tattoo during your free consultation. We use a variety of factors to determine how many treatments you will need, including:

 Age of tattoo

 Size of tattoo

 Location of tattoo

 Tattoo ink colors

 Depth of ink

 Ink density

 Pre-existing scarring

 Individual health

What is discussed during my consultation?

Every client must receive a consultation before proceeding with treatment. During your free consultation, we will discuss your treatment goals – whether you want to completely remove your tattoo, fade it for cover-up, or selectively remove a specific part of your tattoo. The laser technician will review the procedure and explain how our technology works to remove the ink in your skin. Aftercare instructions will be discussed to ensure you understand how to care for your skin for the best results.

Which laser do you use?

We’ve found that there is no one size fits all when it comes to tattoos. That’s why Bonsai Tattoo Removal uses several different lasers, and types of industry leading technology. Most places only have one laser/ type of technology. We use them all, so that we’re being sure to give every tattoo an individual approach.

• Candela Picoway (Pico technology)

• Astanza Trinity (Ruby & Q-switched technology)

• Astanza Duality (Q-switched technology)

• Astanza Eternity (Ruby technology)

Is the laser painful? How long do treatments last?

The level of pain you will experience from the laser depends entirely on your personal pain threshold. However, if you can get a tattoo applied, you can definitely tolerate having one removed. Most clients have compared the feeling of the laser to a rubber band snapping against the skin. Fortunately, treatment sessions only take a few minutes! Treatments can last anywhere from 1 to 20 minutes depending on the size of your tattoo. Bonsai Tattoo Removal uses the Zimmer Cryo cooling machine to numb your skin before, DURING, and after treatment, mitigating any pain associated with the laser and also protecting your skin from unwanted thermal injury.

How long will it take to remove my tattoo completely?

Multiple treatments are required to achieve complete tattoo removal. Laser tattoo removal is a process that takes both time and commitment. Fewer treatments are needed for clients interested in fading or lightening their tattoo.

A minimum of 6 to 8 weeks is scheduled between each treatment session to give your skin time to heal before the next treatment. Some clients may achieve complete removal within a few months while others may take a year – it all depends on various factors of your tattoo and how quickly your immune system heals. Boosting your immune system will increase the rate at which your tattoo fades.

How does laser tattoo removal help prepare me for a cover-up?

Cover-up tattoos are a great option for dealing with an unwanted tattoo. Cover-ups are exactly what they sound like – tattoos that cover or hide an existing tattoo. Cover-up tattoos are difficult to create if the existing tattoo is very dark and heavily pigmented. Tattoo artists must use double the amount of ink to hide the existing artwork completely. Laser tattoo removal fades an existing tattoo to create a cleaner canvas for your artist to work on.

Are there any side effects?

Laser tattoo removal is the safest solution for getting rid of an unwanted tattoo. With that being said, the most common side effects patients experience are temporary redness, scabbing, blistering, and swelling. Clients with darker skin tones may experience some discoloration of the surrounding skin, however, this will resolve naturally over time.

Bonsai Tattoo Removal provides detailed aftercare instructions to ensure you provide proper care for your skin outside our practice.