Tattoo Removal in Fort Worth, TX
Tattoo Removal in Fort Worth, TX
Just because you loved your tattoo when it was done doesn't mean you still do. At Skin Deep Laser MD, Dr. Laura S. Riehm uses the PicoSure® laser to gently break down unwanted pigment in your skin, removing your tattoo in the safest way possible. If you're ready to remove an unwanted tattoo, call Skin Deep Laser MD or schedule an appointment online today.
What is Tattoo Removal?
Tattoos are meant to be permanent, but they can fade, stretch, or distort as you age, potentially affecting how you view them.
Even if your tattoo looks perfect, you might not like it anymore. Or maybe you just want that space for a different tattoo.
In the past, options for removing a tattoo didn’t usually give good results. One method involved excising (cutting out) the pigmented skin, which often resulted in scarring or areas of darker or lighter skin (discoloration).
A second option was the older-generations of lasers, which are limited in how small they can break up tattoo ink. The result was often just a fading of the tattoo, with maybe 20% of the ink still visible. The older lasers also frequently caused burns or “ghosting”, removing the patient’s own pigment along with the tattoo ink, leaving a paler patch of skin surrounding the faded tattoo.
Fortunately, lasers have advanced significantly and we now have an option that can safely and completely break down tattoo ink, will not remove your own skin’s pigment and will not burn the skin. The Gold Standard for tattoo removal is the PicoSure laser.
Dr. Riehm uses the PicoSure laser at Skin Deep Laser MD to remove tattoo ink without damaging your healthy skin.
How Tattoo Removal Works
Older tattoo removal lasers use heat (thermal energy) to break up tattoo ink. In many cases, this heat also damages (and can burn) the surrounding skin tissue. The PicoSure laser uses ultra-short, intense light pulses that generate a pressure wave. These waves shear (break) ink particles into tiny pieces, which your body can eliminate naturally. This makes the PicoSure laser a safer, faster, and more effective option for tattoo removal.
Over the days and weeks following treatment, most people notice their tattoo gradually fading as the lymphatic system—your body’s natural waste-removal system—removes the tiny ink particles. Rest assured, this process typically does not damage your skin or cause scarring, though individual results and fading rates may vary.
Benefits of Tattoo Removal
With the PicoSure laser, you’ll experience many advantages over other tattoo removal options, including:
Less pain
No scarring
Complete removal with fewer treatments
Removal of any color
PicoSure targets red, yellow, and black inks better than other lasers, delivering faster results.
How Many Tattoo Removal Treatments Will I Need?
Most tattoos require at least 6 laser removal treatments, scheduled 4-6 weeks apart, to fully remove the ink. The length of each session varies based on your skin color and type, as well as the details of the tattoo's design (such as size, color, and density).
Microblading & Eyebrow Tattoo Removal
Microblading is a popular cosmetic procedure that uses pigment to create fuller-looking eyebrows. While many people love their results initially, eyebrow tattoos can sometimes fade into unexpected colors, become uneven, or simply stop matching a person’s style over time.
Because microblading uses pigment placed in the skin similarly to a tattoo, it can often be safely treated with the same advanced laser technology used for tattoo removal.
At Skin Deep Laser MD, we regularly treat unwanted microbladed eyebrows using precision laser treatments that break down pigment so the body can gradually clear it away.
One advantage of microblading removal is that the pigment used is often lighter and more superficial than traditional tattoo ink. As a result, many patients see significant improvement in as few as 1–3 treatments, depending on the pigment and depth. Whether your brows faded to an unexpected shade, were shaped incorrectly, or simply no longer fit your look, laser treatment can help restore your natural appearance.
Tattoo Removal Frequently Asked Questions
-
Most laser treatments feel like a rubber band snapping against your skin, but should not be overwhelmingly painful. We take every step to keep you comfortable, including a compounded numbing cream, a Zimmer chilling device and personalized techniques to ease any discomfort.
-
Tattoo size and location play key roles in removal.
Size of the Tattoo: Large tattoos need more sessions because of the greater target surface area. Small tattoos are generally quicker to treat and may need fewer sessions to fade or remove.
Proximity to Blood Flow: Tattoos closer to areas with rich blood circulation and lymphatic flow, such as the face, neck, chest, back, and upper arms, tend to fade faster. This is because the body can more efficiently remove the ink particles broken down by the laser.
Extremities: Tattoos on areas like the hands, feet, or ankles may take longer to remove. These areas have reduced blood and lymphatic flow, slowing the natural ink-removal process.
Skin Thickness: Thicker skin, like on the back, handles stronger laser treatments and may need fewer sessions. Thinner, more sensitive areas, like the wrists and face, need gentler, shorter treatments, so removal might take longer.
Ink Depth and Density: Larger or darker tattoos need more sessions than smaller, lighter ones.
Cover-ups, very dark tribal-style tattoos and raised-tattoos can take more treatments as there are more layers of ink
Non-professional tattoos usually take fewer treatments and clear faster due to less ink, less depth and sometimes non-professional ink
-
Yes, specific skin types and tones can influence the effectiveness and complexity of laser tattoo removal.
People with darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick types IV-VI, a system used to classify skin by its reaction to sunlight) can be harder to treat. Their skin has more melanin (a natural pigment that gives skin its color), which absorbs more laser energy, potentially causing the skin to lighten or darken in some areas.
Lighter skin tones (Fitzpatrick skin types I-III) are usually easier to treat. The laser energy can more directly target the tattoo ink without being absorbed as much by the surrounding skin's pigment.
As darker skin contains more melanin, there’s a higher chance of temporary color change or sensitivity. Our experienced team uses careful adjustments and specialized care to help ensure safe, positive results for every skin type. Your comfort and safety are always our top priorities.
-
Laser removal can fade or erase most tattoos, though some ink colors are harder to remove.
Easier Colors to Remove: Black ink is the easiest to target and remove because it absorbs all laser wavelengths. Dark blue ink also responds well to laser therapies.
Green, light blue, and yellow inks are harder to remove. These colors reflect more laser energy, reducing the effectiveness of ink breakdown.
Difficult Colors: White and pastel inks can be hard to remove. White ink can turn darker when treated with a laser. Metallic or shiny inks are also hard to remove because they reflect the laser's light rather than absorbing it.
Why Choose Skin Deep Laser MD?
Dr. Laura S. Riehm, a Diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology, leads Skin Deep Laser MD. She and her staff offer FDA-cleared services with advanced equipment.
We deliver personalized, thorough care tailored to your needs. Our safe and effective treatments help you look and feel your best at a lower cost than most local providers.
Schedule a Tattoo Removal Consultation in Fort Worth
If you want to remove your tattoo with expert care and reassurance, contact us at Skin Deep Laser MD. Call (817) 263-7546 to arrange a consultation with Dr. Riehm today. We're here to support you every step of the way.