Laser Tattoo Removal vs Fading a Tattoo for a Cover Up

Laser Tattoo Removal Pinehurst NC

Tattoos can be a beautiful expression of art, creativity and emotion. According to recent studies, more people are getting tattoos than ever before and they are even more widely accepted in the workplace than they were in previous years. However, many people who decide to get tattoos earlier in life end up changing their minds later on and wish to have them removed or replaced with body art that better represents who they are now. Fortunately, Dr. Melley offers tattoo removal options for individuals who desire to have their ink removed with no downtime.

PicoSure is a safe and effective option for laser tattoo removal and typically requires fewer treatment sessions than more traditional removal methods. During the procedure, Dr. Melley uses PicoSure’s PressureWave technology to deliver short pulses of laser energy to the dermis, shattering the ink particles that make up the tattoo pigment while leaving the skin undamaged. Afterward, your body is then able to naturally process and remove the pigment.

You may be wondering how many treatments are necessary to completely remove a tattoo vs. fade a tattoo sufficiently enough to be covered up with a new tattoo. It is important to understand the many factors that play a role in determining how many treatment sessions are necessary to fully remove a tattoo. Factors such as overall skin health, the age of the tattoo and how faded it may be, even the color of pigments used play a role.

It used to go without saying that tattoos are a lifelong commitment. With the advances in laser tattoo removal, that statement has become less true over time. While many people simply regret their decision to get a tattoo, some may want to get rid of an old tattoo to make room for a new tattoo that will better represent their current ideals and aesthetic.

Fading a Tattoo vs Removing a Tattoo

Reasons to Completely Remove a Tattoo:

  • Regret decision to get a tattoo
  • Shift in interests or feelings
  • Dislike the overall art quality
  • Tattoo has faded and looks unsightly

Reasons to Fade a Tattoo Before Cover Up:

  • Fading allows for more color and style options
  • Brighter colors, less pigment required
  • Remove part of existing tattoo (such as a name)
  • Fewer sessions required

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Melley to determine how many treatment sessions will be necessary for your overall tattoo removal goals. Learn more about laser tattoo removal at pinehurstlaser.com/Tattoo-Removal or call 910-295-1130 today to schedule your consultation today!

Spring into Summer

Proper Exercise for Weightloss Laser Institute of Pinehurst

Spring is right around the corner and summer will be here in a flash. In addition to setting your clocks forward an hour, it’s important to think about all of the things that you can be doing to look and feel your best before the warmer months arrive. Winter has a way of making us all want to hibernate. Activity levels and motivation can drop, especially when the days are short and the temperatures are bitter.

Now is the perfect time to think about how you can achieve the weight you have always wanted with help from the caring staff at The Laser Institute of Pinehurst. Dr. Melley and her staff offer customized weight loss programs that are tailored to your personalized needs. Along the way, they will make the necessary adjustments to help you stay on track to success.

It is no secret that abs are made in the kitchen. Nutrition and fitness go hand in hand with weight loss and feeling healthy. Proper nutrition can help you maintain your ideal weight, fuel your body for work outs as well as reduce the risk of diseases such as certain cancers, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and osteoporosis. Introducing colorful fruits and vegetables into your diet can provide you with the nutrients needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Practicing good nutrition promotes healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

Vitamins and supplements will help assure that you are getting all of the essential nutrients that you may not be getting from your balanced diet. Additionally, certain medical conditions or genetic disorders can prevent the proper absorption of the nutrients from food and taking supplements can help bridge the gap.

Your health may not be the only thing on your mind as the warmer days approach. With warmer weather comes shorts and other more skin revealing clothing, it’s time to also think about that unwanted hair. Shaving can be a hassle. Razors dull quickly, leave behind razor burn and ingrown hairs and is only a temporary fix. Laser hair removal is a safe and effective way to permanently remove hair by destroying the hair follicle while leaving the surrounding skin unharmed. Treatments can be completed in under 30 minutes depending on the size of the area being treated.

Spring and summer fashion is a great way to show off your fitness progress, smooth legs and even the artwork on your skin. Tattoos can be a beautiful way to express yourself, however, over time they can fade and look less than appealing. Many people regret the tattoos they received when they were younger and are self-conscious about showing tattooed skin. Depending on the size and age of the tattoo, laser tattoo removal can safely reduce or fade old tattoos while keeping the unaffected skin safe.

These are just a few things that you can do to get ready for summer. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Melley to determine if there are additional treatments such as skin rejuvenation and body sculpting that you can combine with your existing efforts. The experts at The Laser Institute of Pinehurst can tailor a skin rejuvenation program that suits your needs and goals. Learn more about how which laser treatments can benefit you and help you achieve younger looking skin at pinehurstlaser.com/Lasers or call 910-295-1130 today to schedule your consultation!

5 Ways to Freshen Up Your 2019 Look

Proper Skincare Laser Institute of Pinehurst NC

With a new year comes the sense of a new you and a clean slate. Resolutions can help you stay on track with fitness, skin care, and wellness as well as give you goals to strive towards in 2019. Here are five great ways to refresh yourself this year:

  1. Proper skin care
  2. Skin revitalization with PicoSure
  3. Our 30 day wellness challenge
  4. Tattoo removal or tattoo fading
  5. Laser hair removal to avoid the hassle of shaving
1. Proper Skin Care

Proper skin care is one of the most important parts of maintaining great looking skin. At the Laser Institute of Pinehurst, Dr. Melley suggests these “must-haves” for maintaining healthy skin:

  • A gentle cleanser for your skin type
  • Topical Vitamin A
  • Alpha-Hydroxy acids
  • Antioxidants
  • Sunscreen (one that protects against UVA and UVB waves)

Depending on your skin type, you may want to rinse your face with warm water or use a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt and bacteria. Topical vitamin A, or retinoids, can help combat the damaging effects of the sun’s harmful rays and photoaging.  Alpha-Hydroxy Acids, or AHAs as they are more commonly referred to, can firm and brighten skin and improve overall tone by working to reconstruct collagen and elastin. In addition, they help exfoliate dead skin cells. Antioxidants, which you can get from fruits, vegetables and some grains, can protect against sunburns as well as help fight the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free radicals, which may contribute to certain diseases if the body cannot mitigate them.

Don’t Forget Sunscreen!

The sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays are linked to wrinkles, premature aging and skin cancers. Therefore, it’s important to make sure you apply sunscreen before spending time outside and reapply throughout the day if you plan to be out in the sun for an extended period of time. In addition, you can help protect the delicate skin of your eyes with sunglasses and hats, which help block the sun.

2. Skin Revitalization with PicoSure

In addition to proper skin care, maintaining a healthy glow and smooth skin can boost your confidence in 2019. PicoSure is a state of the art laser skin rejuvenation treatment that can remove unwanted age spots, acne scars and reduce wrinkles with minimal downtime. PicoSure is a safe, non-invasive procedure.

3. Take Our 30 Day Wellness Challenge!

Proper hydration promotes healthy skin and aides in digestion. For 30 days, challenge yourself to drink an adequate amount of water daily. To find out how many ounces of water you should be intaking weigh yourself in pounds and divide that number by 2. This will give you the number of ounces of water you should be drinking a day. Remember that exercise and other factors will impact your water intake needs. For 30 days, take a multi-vitamin and monitor how the combination of water and supplements has positively impacted your wellness and skin.

4. Tattoo Removal

Over time, tattoos can settle and fade, making the pigments appear dull and blurry. Many people regret tattoos they had done many years ago and may choose to have them removed. Fortunately, PicoSure is the leading choice for unwanted tattoo removal. This device uses energy delivered in trillionths of a second to break up tattoo pigments which keeps the skin safe from damage and the patient more comfortable.

5. Laser Hair Removal

Shaving can be a hassle. Unsightly razor bumps and ingrown hairs are always a risk if you shave often. Laser hair removal can thin, reduce and even completely remove unwanted body hair. The expert staff at The Laser Institute of Pinehurst are trained to use a variety of machines for laser hair removal.

Even Better Tattoo Removal Treatment Now Available

Tattoo Removal Pinehurst

You can now safely, confidently get rid of unwanted tattoos in an easier, more effective way than ever before thanks to the variety of PicoSure hand pieces and advanced technology that we have available here at our office . PicoSure, the device known for providing safe and effective tattoo removal, becomes an even more powerful and useful tool with its advanced additional features:

  • The PicoSure 755nm, the handpiece that comes with the base model of the device, provides optimal treatment for clients looking to treat tattoos. Some offices only offer this wavelength, but our office offers additional options for better results.
  • The 532nm and 1064nm wavelength adapters will treat the harder-to-target colors like red, purple, yellow and orange tattoo inks.
  • The PicoSure FOCUS Lens Array extends even beyond tattoo removal to handle skin rejuvenationand scar treatments.

To sum it up, The Laser Institute of Pinehurst is now able to treat an even wider variety of tattoo colors on a larger variety of skin types thanks to the capabilities of these handpieces. If you’ve got an unwanted tattoo that you are ready to do something about, now may be the perfect time.

Are you interested in learning more about tattoo removal? Contact us anytime! 910-295-1130

The Leading Solution for Tattoo Removal and Skin Revitilization

Introducing Tattoo Tuesdays & Tattoo Thursdays

Take 25% off any package of 5 Tattoo Removals when purchasing the package in advance. No other discounts apply. Treatments must be performed on Tuesdays or Thursdays.

Do any of these descriptions sound like you?

  • You regret getting your tattoo.
  • You would love to remove your tattoo, but some dark colors have been hard to target with treatments.
  • You have frustrating age spots you wish you could remove.
  • You wish your skin could look younger and healthier again.

If so, you’re not alone. As many as one in five people regret their tattoos, believe it or not! Many other patients have the exact same frustrations you do—whether it’s about old tattoos they no longer want or the effects of aging they wish they could change. That’s why we’re pleased to offer PicoSure™ treatments. PicoSure™ is the only picosecond aesthetic laser on the market, used for both skin revitalization and tattoo removal.

Highlights of PicoSure for Tattoo Removal

  • PicoSure is the most advanced laser treatment available for removing unwanted tattoos and pigmentation.
  • It’s a quick, in-office treatment that targets unwanted ink or age spots.
  • Its unique picosecond technology means faster results, improved recovery time and fewer treatments for your tattoo removal.

How PicoSure Works

In PicoSure treatments, ultra-short pulses of lasers hit the target area with powerful pressure that disrupts the ink or pigmentation. Your tattoo or age spot breaks up into tiny, dust-like particles—so tiny, in fact, that they’re easily reabsorbed into the body and eliminated through normal elimination channels. As a result, your skin’s appearance changes, gradually returning to its normal look over time.

To learn more about PicoSure treatments and how they could work for you, contact us today!

A look back at 2014

A loot back at 2014

2014 was another great year.  We thank all of our valued patients for their continuing support of our practice.

Here’s a quick recap of some of the year’s highlights:

  • We now offer tattoo removal with the PicoSure Laser. PicoSure delivers ultra-short pulses of energy to shatter tattoo ink resulting in greater clearance faster, in fewer treatments with improved recovery.
  • TRUE Mineral Makeup is no longer, but True Isaac Mizrahi makeup is now here. Many colors have carried over and we know you will love the new look.
  • The facial to the “stars”; the HydraFacial, has been added to our services. It’s a resurfacing procedure that thoroughly cares for your skin, providing cleansing, exfoliation, extractions and hydration.
  • Baby Foot Exfoliating Foot Peel has been flying off the shelves. It removes unwanted dead skin cells from your feet and is so simple to use.
  • Voluma XC, the first dermal filler to be approved by the FDA to restore volume to the mid-cheek area is now being offered.
  • The Clarisonic Smart Profile and Pedi Clarisonic have been added to the skin cleansing collection.
  • SkinPen treatments are now being offered. SkinPen is a skin rejuvenation treatment that improves fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, stretch marks and more.
  • Laura was working part time, and now is full time as the Director of Human Resources.
  • Our hours of operation have grown
    • Gina, our permanent makeup artist and laser technician, has added another day to her work schedule to meet the growing demand for her services.
    • Amber added Mondays to her esthetician schedule and is accommodating everyone’s busy needs.
    • Our hours have expanded to 7 p.m. on Thursdays.

We look forward to bringing you more services and products in 2015.

Celebrate the Tattoos you Love and Clear the Ones you Regret with PicoSure

For those who harbor tattoo regret stemming from outdated art, a messy job, or a symbolic gesture that has lost its significance, you now have your chance to start fresh with a clean canvas. Whether the goal is to clean up the lines of an existing tattoo or totally remove it, the first FDA-cleared picosecond aesthetic laser, PicoSure, is offering breakthrough technology. Recognized as the first significant improvement in the treatment of tattoo removal in over 20 years, PicoSure can effectively erase tattoos with fewer treatments and better results.

“Just like a relationship, tattoo trends can easily come and go, leaving one wondering years later what the reason, or lack thereof, of getting the tattoo was in the first place,” states Dr. Ofelia Melley, President and founder of The Laser Institute of Pinehurst.  “Some people ask to remove all traces of ink, while others choose to cover it up with another tattoo. They can then come in for laser treatments to clean up what can’t be covered. “

An unparalleled breakthrough in tattoo removal technology, PicoSure’s PressureWave gently delivers ultra-short pulses of energy to the tattoo ink in trillionths of a second without injury to the surrounding skin.  This shatters the ink into tiny particles that are easily eliminated by the body.  Based on physician studies PicoSure has proven efficacy on difficult ink colors, as well as previously-treated tattoos, for better clearance with fewer laser treatments and improved recovery time.

Surveys results vary but it is estimated that 1 in 5 Americans have at least one tattoo,  According to The America Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), more Americans received tattoo removal treatment in 2013 than in past years.  Up by 11% in 2013, tattoo removal has also seen a boost from different age groups as more American adults marked their middle age by trading out their old tattoos.  PicoSure has made tattoo removal faster so if you are looking to clear your existing tattoo in efforts to celebrate a new one, you can have a clear canvas.

 

 

Serving your Country & Tattoos

Thought that gesture of having the date you were married or your loved ones’ name tattooed on your wedding ring finger was romantic?  Well, the Army isn’t so inclined.  If you have tattoos on your head, face, neck, wrists, hands or fingers, you cannot request commissioning or appointment, according to Army Regulation 670-1 which became official in March 2014.
With the issuance of these stricter tattoo guidelines in the Army and our proximity to Fort Bragg, we have been receiving quite a few phone calls from our military personnel who are requesting information about laser tattoo removal with the new PicoSure Laser by Cynosure.
A little history here; several years ago we offered laser tattoo removal; however, we stopped offering  the treatments as the results were unacceptable to our practice.  While you may not have the tattoo anymore, the results that took its’ place were not always appealing, and many patients experienced too much discomfort.
What makes PicoSure different?  Ultra-short pulses create a photomechanical impact, shattering the ink or pigment into tiny dust-like particles.  The particles are very small and easily absorbed and eliminated through the body’s natural processes.  With each treatment, the tattoo will lighten and clear faster than ever before.   Treatments (recommended every 6 weeks) are quick, less treatments are required and we, along with our patients are thrilled.
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re-Treatment, Immediately After, 4 Days Later
Courtesy of:  The Laser Institute of Pinehurst