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Are you considering tattoo removal but unsure where to start? With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right treatment. But when it comes to achieving the best results safely and comfortably, there’s one clear choice: the Pico Discovery Laser. All Pico tattoo removal lasers are not created equity and the second generation of pico laser are faster, safer and more effective.  At Colorado Skin and Vein, we’re proud to offer this cutting-edge technology to our patients. Here’s why it is  most effective treatment in tattoo removal.   Not All Pico Lasers Are Created Equal Pico lasers have revolutionized tattoo removal by using ultra-short pulses of energy to shatter ink particles into tiny fragments that the body can easily absorb and eliminate. However, not all pico lasers are equally effective.  The factors that determine the effectiveness of a tattoo removal laser are the wavelength, pulse structure, time it takes the laser to deliver the energy (pulse width) and power. In every single one of these attributes the Pico Discovery Laser significantly outperforms older lasers like the PicoSure and PicoWay.   Why the Pico Discovery Laser Is a Game-Changer What sets the Pico Discovery Laser apart? First, it features multiple wavelengths that can effectively target the full spectrum of ink colors, from stubborn blues and greens to resistant reds and yellows. The most frustrate colors to treat tend to be green and blue but the Pico Discovery has the best laser available packed into its’ arsenal.  595 nm Ruby lasers are by far the most effective lasers for removal of Blue and Green inks but unfortunately they are not offered on any other commercial laser platform.  Although some 755nm Alexandrite lasers can be somewhat effective they require extensive amounts of treatment and cost. That means if you have blue or green to remove, your only good choice for treatment is the 595 nm Rudy laser within the Pico Discovery platform. With the choice of three different laser wavelengths, this platform gives the fastest clearance available of even the most complex tattoos   For the pulse structure, the Pico Discovery Laser boasts the exclusive Optibeam II handpiece, which ensures uniform energy distribution across the treatment area. This minimizes skin damage and promotes even pigment shattering for optimal results.   Besides power, the most important aspect of a tattoo removal device is how quickly it can fire the pulse. Firing the pulse faster means being able to break down ink particles to smaller and smaller sizes so they can be removed by the skins immune system.   The first generation of pico lasers fired in pulse ranges that were about 500 pico seconds.   The Pico Discovery laser can fire in 6 pico seconds.  That is nearly 100 times faster than first generation of lasers and allows the Discovery to get rid of tattoos that other platforms simply can not remove.   Arguably the most important factor in a tattoo removal laser is the power.  With the highest peak power in the industry, the Pico Discovery Laser can shatter pigment particles more efficiently than any other pico laser. It also offers dual pico and Q-switched modes, allowing our expert providers to customize treatments based on your unique needs.   What does this mean for you? Faster tattoo removal with fewer treatments, less discomfort, and minimal downtime.   Real Patient, Real Results: A Tattoo Removal Story Still not convinced? Let one of our patient’s stories speak for itself. This patient had previously undergone 5 treatments with an older pico laser at another practice, with subpar results. Frustrated, the patient turned to Colorado Skin and Vein for help. After just one treatment with the Pico Discovery Laser, their tattoo was nearly completely cleared. The patient was amazed by how quick and comfortable the treatment was, and thrilled with the minimal downtime required. They couldn’t believe the difference the Pico Discovery Laser made. The results speak for themselves – clearer skin with fewer treatments.   Experience the Pico Discovery Difference at Colorado Skin and Vein At Colorado Skin and Vein, we’ve been at the forefront of laser medicine for over 20 years. Our expert providers, led by David Verebelyi, MD, RVT  and Christina Jordan, FNP, are dedicated to providing the most effective, comfortable treatments in a luxurious, patient-centered setting.   We’ll work with you to develop a personalized tattoo removal plan using the unrivaled power of the Pico Discovery Laser and nearly 20 years of tattoo removal experience. Say goodbye to tattoo regret and hello to clearer, ink-free skin.   Take the first step today by scheduling a consultation with our team. We’ll assess your unique needs and create a treatment plan to help you achieve your goals. With the Pico Discovery Laser, your best skin is closer than you think.

It seems like every few years a new permanent makeup trend pops up that everyone is trying. The possibilities are endless, from permanent eyeliner to microblade eyebrows or even the most recent — tattooed lip color. But with these rapidly changing trends coming and going over time, many are left with outdated and faded makeup, leaving many with serious “buyer’s remorse.”  But is permanent makeup correction possible? And if so, at what cost?  Options for Permanent Makeup Removal  1. Be Patient The easiest option; wait it out. Faded microbladed eyebrows happen over time, and in some cases, many see changes and discoloration in their permanent tattoo over the course of 6-24 months due to the delicate nature of facial skin. Unfortunately, complete fading to the point where your makeup tattoo is no longer noticeable is not likely as tattoos often never fade, no matter how long you wait. 2. Tattoo Removal Creams Many have claimed that a tattoo removal cream is a great option as they have seen gradual fading in their permanent tattoos over time. However, no clinical studies have shown this to be true. It is more than likely that over time the tattoo will fade but never entirely. Because these creams only affect the upper layer of the skin (to incite peeling) there is never a complete reversal. The tattoo has permanently penetrated the deeper levels of the skin that the cream will not reach.  If you decide to go this route, here are some options that many claim to help with removal: – DIY “made from home” scrub of Salt & Lemon – Rosehip Seed Oil massaged into the skin 3 times daily  – Topical over-the-counter “fade” creams 3. Salt and Saline Treatments Many have sworn by the Salt and Saline treatment as they have claimed to see a difference in the appearance of their permanent makeup— especially for old faded microblading. The Salt and Saline treatment should only be performed by a skilled technician and not be confused with the vastly different “at-home scrub” methods. During your session, the technician will combine a salt and saline solution and insert it into the skin like an exfoliator. One session is equal to that of 2 months of exfoliation. The salt works to bind the permanent ink, bring it to the surface, and once scabbed, will remove the ink. Some call this method “Controlled Stabbing” and consider it an alternative to laser removal.  However, this method has its risks. The constant repetitive stabbing and the acids within the salt can remove hair in the area affected (think eyebrows!) and can irritate the skin. With this method, there is also a risk of blistering, permanent scarring, and hyperpigmentation in the skin over time. 4. Laser Removal Considered the most effective method of permanent makeup removal, laser removal uses pulses of laser light to break up the ink under the skill then the cells absorb the molecules. Depending on the laser type (and your skin type), the results vary but consistently have been shown to be effective.  However, for delicate areas like permanent makeup correction around the face, you will need to be more cautious due to the higher risk for damage.  Some other things to keep in mind when using a laser for permanent makeup removal are the pigments used in makeup tattoos that differ and can affect the removal process.  For example, lip pigments contain titanium oxide making the tattoo stand out more, meaning laser removal may turn the tattoo gray rather than removing it completely.  This means you will need more treatments to completely remove the tattoo.  Remember, results from any permanent makeup removal option will vary depending on a number of factors such as skin type, the healing process, original pigment quality, and proper aftercare.  Therefore seeking advice from someone who is an expert in skincare and permanent makeup removal is important.  Colorado Skin & Vein is a leader for the past 16 years offering not only Permanent Makeup Removal but Full Body, Face, Vein Treatments, Aesthetic Services, and Laser Medicine services. If you are in the in the Denver area request a consultation with one of our providers today.

Remember when you were considering getting that tattoo and everyone told you that you better make sure you really think about it before committing because tattoos are forever? Well, that’s no longer technically true. There have been advances in tattoo removal systems. Some of the earlier options included dermabrasion; which removes layers of the dermis and epidermis to remove your ink, skin excision; which is the surgical removal of the tattooed skin, and tattoo removal creams; which promise the removal of your tattoo with a lotion-like cream. Those methods were not only painful, but they also left visible damage to the skin or simply weren’t truly effective at removing tattoos. Thanks to advances in laser technology, if you want to remove a tattoo, you can do so much more effectively and without damaging your skin. If you have a tattoo that you want to get removed – for any reason at all – you’ve got much better options today for how to do so. The two most common types of lasers are the Q-switch lasers and the PicoSure laser for tattoo removal. Below, we will go over how laser tattoo removal works, the main differences between the two lasers, general tattoo removal costs, and whom to turn to when you find yourself searching for ‘tattoo removal near me’. How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work? The process of getting a tattoo involves ink injection into the skin through a needle. The needle can be a singular needle poked by hand, which is often referred to as a ‘stick n poke’ tattoo, or by a tattoo gun, which is a machine that pricks the skin thousands of times per minute. The ink goes into the dermis, the layer of skin below the epidermis. When you get a tattoo removed with a laser, the laser is applied to the area of skin where the tattoo is. The heat from the laser shatters the ink particles in your dermis, starting with the topmost or most shallow layer of ink. The particles of shattered ink are then flushed out through your lymphatic system. It takes multiple sessions of laser tattoo removal to remove your tattoo completely. The number of sessions and the tattoo removal cost will depend on a few factors such as how old the tattoo is (older tattoos are easier to remove because your body’s immune and lymphatic system have already started wearing down some of the ink), what colors are in the tattoo (black and grey are easier to remove than colors), the type of laser used, and how your body responds to treatment. Every body is different so what works best for someone else might not work best for you. What is a Q Switch Laser? A Q switch laser is a type of laser tattoo removal that’s non-invasive and effectively removes tattoos without damaging the skin. The first commercially available type of laser specifically made for tattoo removal was a Q-switched laser in 1983. The phrase ‘Q switch’ refers to the type of pulse that’s created by the laser. Instead of a continuous laser beam, like traditional lasers, the Q switch creates a photo-thermal pulse beam that lasts about one billionth of a second. The pulses are strong enough yet brief enough to shatter the ink without damaging any skin. They were originally considered to be the gold standard of tattoo removal, but with advances in laser technology, they’re quickly being outpaced by Pico lasers for tattoo removal. What is a Pico Laser? A Pico laser is like the Q switch, but it’s faster and more effective. Pico lasers for tattoo removal were given FDA approval for use in 2012. They use photomechanical technology lasers to deliver rapid pules – which are one trillionth of a second – to the tattoo to shatter the ink. Patients who use the Pico lasers for tattoo removal typically receive fewer treatments overall, which reduces the overall tattoo removal cost and reports a faster recovery time after each session. Pico lasers are also better at targeting colored ink than their predecessors are. When it comes to tattoo removal, any laser option is going to be better for your skin than the older and more abrasive methods of removal. At Colorado Skin and Vein, we use the PiQo4 Pico laser for tattoo removal, which is the newest and fastest version of the Pico laser and our patients are more than satisfied with the removal process.But don’t just take our word for it; scroll through these incredible tattoo removal before and after shots to see the laser in action. To learn more about laser tattoo removal or to schedule an appointment with our team, contact us today!