Conveniently Located
off Hwy 15 in Sartell, MN
50 14th Ave E, Sartell, MN 56377
(320) 423-5137
Tattoo Removal
Erase or Lighten – Make Room for a New Story
You don't have to live with that unwanted tattoo any longer. Lotus Laser has cutting edge technology to help you lighten it up for a cover-up or remove it altogether. Call, text, email, fill out a contact form, or book online today!
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Tattoo Ink Placement in Skin Layers-Where it is Matters...
Where the ink is placed within the skin ensures the longevity and vibrancy of the design. Understanding where the ink is helps understand how tattoo removal works.
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Here's an overview of where the ink is placed:
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Epidermis: This is the outermost layer of the skin. While the tattoo needle may penetrate this layer during the tattooing process, ink is not deposited here for permanent tattoos. The epidermis is constantly shedding and regenerating, which means any ink placed here would quickly fade.
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Dermis: This is the layer just beneath the epidermis. The dermis is the primary site for tattoo ink placement. It is more stable than the epidermis and does not renew itself as often, which helps in maintaining the tattoo's appearance over time. The dermis contains connective tissues, blood vessels, and nerves, making it an ideal layer for ink retention.
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Hypodermis: This is the bottom layer of skin. Once the ink is burst, it penetrates into the into the hypodermis and is eliminated through the lymphatic system.
Tattoo Removal
Laser tattoo removal works by using high-intensity light beams to break down the ink particles in a tattoo.
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Here's how it works step-by-step:
Laser Selection-
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Our Technician choses the laser wavelength that is the best choice for your skin type and the color of ink. Different colors absorb different wavelengths.​​​
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Breakdown of
Ink Particles-​
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The laser is pointed at the tattoo. It's energy is absorbed by the color of the ink. The energy causes the ink particles to heat up and shatter into smaller fragments.
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Immune System takes over-
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When the ink is broken into small enough particles, it is able to penetrate through the hypodermis. Once through to the hypodermis, it is seen by the body as a foreign object. Macrophages, large cells that remove foreign bodies, encapsulate the ink and it is eliminated from the body by the lymphatic system.​​​
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Noteworthy Points
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Multiple Sessions Required: Tattoo removal is not instant. The laser's energy is precise and can only remove small amounts of ink with each session. Depending on the size, color, age, depth of the tattoo, and most importantly ink type, multiple sessions are needed (usually between 6 to 15). Six sessions is typically a best case-scenario, while an average is 12-15 sessions. No one can tell you an exact number of sessions it will take. Sessions are typically spaced 6-10 weeks apart, depending on the location on the body, to allow the body time to flush out the broken-down ink. Ink closer to the core of your body comes out quicker than ink on your extremities due to circulation.
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Black vs. Color: Black comes out the easiest because it attracts the laser the best. Light, bright colors are the trickiest colors to break due to the limited pigment in bright colors. Sky blue and yellow is the trickiest.
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Pain and Healing: The process can be uncomfortable. Some describe it as feeling like a continuous snap of a rubber band, others describe it as a splash of hot grease. The consolations for many is that it is a fast process. Imagine how long it would take to go over it with a highlighter. Typically a one color "credit-card size" tattoo can be fully treated within about 15 seconds. Cooling techniques and/or numbing creams are often used to reduce discomfort. Healing time is minimal, but after each session, the skin may be red, swollen, or blistered (blistering is not a very common response) for a few days. ​​​
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Pre-care and Post-care for Tattoo Removal
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Hair Cycles and Dormant FolliclesAs discussed, hair grows in cycles (anagen, catagen, telogen), and laser hair removal is most effective when the hair is in the anagen (growth) phase. Not all hair is in this phase at the same time, so multiple treatments are required to target hairs in different stages of growth. Dormant hair follicles (those in the catagen or telogen phase) may not be targeted during initial treatments. Over time, some dormant follicles may become active again, leading to new hair growth. Maintenance treatments can address these newly active follicles.
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HormonesHormones play a significant role in hair growth. Hormonal fluctuations, such as those experienced during pregnancy, menopause, or certain medical conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can stimulate the growth of new hair or cause previously treated follicles to become active again.
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Individuals Can Respond Differently to TreatmentNot everyone responds the same way to laser hair removal. Some people may have more resilient hair follicles that don’t respond as strongly to the laser, leading to some regrowth. Additionally, people with lighter hair or darker skin may need more frequent maintenance treatments, as these factors can affect the laser's ability to effectively target and disable hair follicles.
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Age and GeneticsAs people age, the body's hair growth patterns can change, and new hair growth can sometimes appear in areas previously treated. Genetic factors can also affect how well hair follicles respond to laser treatments.
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Environmental and Lifestyle FactorsIn some cases, environmental factors or lifestyle habits may trigger new hair growth. Stress, diet, or even changes in medication can influence hair growth patterns.
OUR PRICELIST FOR TATTOO REMOVAL
Size | Tattoo Size | Per Session | 6Pack | 12Pack | Unlimited Sessions |
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X-Small | 1x1 sq in | 50 | 270 | 510 | 650 |
Small | 2x2 sq in or approximately 4 sq inches | 100 | 540 | 1020 | 1300 |
Medium | 3x3 sq in or approximately 9 sq inches | 150 | 810 | 1530 | 1900 |
Large | 4x4 sq in or approximately 16 sq inches | 200 | 1080 | 2040 | 2500 |
X-Large | 5x5 sq in or approximately 25 sq inches | 250 | 1350 | 2550 | 3250 |