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44 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • July 2015 Ask the Expert Q: Can any tattoo be removed regardless of color and size? Today, most colors used in tattoos can be removed or sig- nificantly improved. We will have the new 532mm handpiece that is the most effective technology for removing red tattoos. Q: How long does the tattoo removal process take? What is the recovery period? With the new picoseconds lasers, tattoo removal may take up to five treatments. This is a marked improve- ment over the 10- 20 treatments it takes with the older technol- ogy. The recovery period is similar to that of getting the tattoo. The site is covered and kept moist with Vaseline or Aquaphor until the skin is healed. Q: Will the scarring from tattoo removal be noticeable? Everyone will heal differently. In the best cases, there is no remnant of the tattoo and the skin looks normal. Some people may heal with hypopigmentation (lighter skin) or hyperpigmentation (darker skin) at the tattoo site. Q: Is tattoo removal more painful than getting a tattoo? Never having gotten a tattoo, I have no first-hand experience. From the patients I have treated it seems that the pain is similar to getting a tattoo. We do use a topical numbing cream prior to removal. a sk t h e e x p e rt T ank tops, bathing ank tops, bathing suits, shorts, slip suits, shorts, slip dresses… We all tend dresses… We all tend to wear a little less in the to wear a little less in the summer. If you're not com- summer. If you're not com- fortable in your skin, s fortable in your skin, sum- mertime styles can cause mertime styles can cause anxiety. anxiety. If you've been considering tattoo removal, non-invasive fat removal, or are concerned about sun damage, The Dermatology Center is here to help! The Dermatology Center owns five state-of-the-art lasers to treat a wide range of medi- cal and cosmetic conditions. Their laser clinic addresses issues such as rosacea, acne and acne scarring, port wine stains, wrinkles, sun damage and laser hair removal. Board-certified dermatolo- gist Terri Morris, M.D., Ph.D, answered several questions we had concerning skin care and tattoo removal. Her practice includes medical, surgical and cosmetic der- matology. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and The American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery. INTERVIEWED BY BRENDA SAPANGHILA THE DERMATOLOGY CENTER INTERVIEWED BY