Laser Tattoo Removal in Asheville, NC

If you are living with unwanted ink, laser tattoo removal is the most convenient and safe option for returning your skin to a clean slate. At Mountain Radiance, an Asheville medical spa, we offer advanced laser tattoo removal performed by our qualified laser specialists under the guidance of a board-certified physician. We are proud to offer tattoo removal to our clients in a welcoming and clean medical spa environment, located just south of Biltmore Village.

How does laser tattoo removal work?

The laser system we use for tattoo removal passes through the top layers of skin to target unwanted tattoo pigment below the surface. The laser breaks apart the pigment into tiny particles, which are then absorbed by the body’s lymphatic system and carried away as waste in the weeks following treatment.

Laser removal is minimally-invasive and less painful than other methods like cryosurgery, surgical excision, and dermabrasion. In the hands of an experienced laser technician, laser tattoo removal is quite safe with few risks.

Our state-of-the-art laser device

We use the Quanta Discovery Pico Plus picosecond Nd:YAG laser for tattoo reduction. This device uses KTP 532nm, Ruby 694nm and Nd:YAG 1064nm, to target and remove hard-to-treat tattoo pigments across all skin types. Quanta is a well-known manufacturer of lasers for cosmetic rejuvenation of the face and body, and the Discovery Pico system is also used for other cosmetic treatments, like minimizing pigmentation, treating acne scars, or reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

What makes this laser system superior to other devices is that it features both the classic gold standard Q-switched laser, which is ideal for certain inks and depths, as well as the Pico-switched laser which helps clear unwanted tattoos quicker and more completely.

Pico-switched laser

The Discovery Pico system’s pico-switched laser is the newest, most advanced technology for tattoo removal. It creates a photoacoustic effect to break down inks and pigmentations while leaving the surrounding skin tissues unharmed. This picosecond laser (1064nm & 532nm) uses higher power at shorter pulse durations to pulverize even the deepest pigments. Unlike some tattoo removal systems, this laser can effectively target both black as well as color tattoo ink. Please note that lighter pigments, such as yellow and white, may not be removable, but we can treat all other colors!

Q-switched laser

The Discovery system also features a Q-switched laser (1064 nm, 649nm, & 532 nm) which uses very short laser pulses of high peak power. It involves temporarily storing energy within the laser and then releasing it to generate a powerful burst of light, which then penetrates the skin and heating the tattoo ink so it breaks down. Q-switched lasers are widely considered to be the gold standard for laser tattoo removal, as they have shown to provide effective results as well as offering a solid safety profile.

We choose the safest, most efficient laser setting(s) based on your unique tattoo.

What to expect from laser tattoo removal

Most patients require a series of about 6-8+ treatments, each spaced at least 8 weeks apart, to see a satisfactory reduction in the appearance of their tattoo. This means that laser tattoo removal will take time—often a year or longer—so patience is needed as results gradually develop between treatments.

What is laser tattoo removal treatment like?

When you arrive at Mountain Radiance for your first laser tattoo removal treatment, we will examine your tattoo’s age, size, location, and colors. We will discuss what kind of results you can expect from treatment, since certain tattoos are easier to remove than others.

We provide a topical numbing cream for you to apply 30 minutes before your appointment so it has plenty of time to take effect for the most comfortable treatment possible. You will wear a pair of goggles to protect your eyes from the laser light, and we will pass the laser device over your skin. The length of your session depends on the size of your tattoo.

Is laser tattoo removal painful?

The laser sensation stings mildly, like a rubber band snapping against your skin. Most patients find the discomfort to be manageable with topical numbing. While “laser” may sound painful, similar lasers are commonly used for cosmetic skin rejuvenation and are well-tolerated by our clients.

How to care for your skin between treatments

You will need to apply an antibiotic ointment (such as Aquaphor) and a bandage to the treatment area and avoid submerging it in water for several days after each appointment. Carefully protect your skin from sun exposure, which could darken the area as well as damage your vulnerable skin. We advise you to wait 8 weeks between treatment sessions to allow full results to develop from your previous session.

“From the welcoming, relaxed environment to the friendly staff, Mountain Radiance is an outstanding place to practice self care and boost your confidence.”
– Courtney M., Google Review

What are the side effects of laser tattoo removal?

Redness, swelling, and mild blistering are possible in the treatment area, as well as a temporary lightening of the skin. More serious risks may include scarring, hyperpigmentation, allergic reaction to the tattoo ink, or infection. These side effects are very rare in the hands of a highly qualified laser specialist, so do not settle for laser tattoo removal performed at the mall or in an environment that is not led by a physician and staffed by experienced laser professionals.

Lasers are highly specialized devices that require a knowledgeable provider to customize the settings to be both safe and effective on your skin; choose a qualified laser technician to avoid side effects that result from improper use of the device. If you have a dark skin tone, in particular, you should look for a provider who is knowledgeable in calibrating their laser settings to prevent the laser from targeting melanin in your skin.

How can I speed up laser tattoo removal?

Laser tattoo removal requires a good bit of waiting for the ink to fade between treatments, but you can support your body’s “cleanup” of the lasered tattoo ink in a number of ways:

• Strictly avoid nicotine. Vaping, smoking cigarettes, or using any other nicotine products dramatically reduces the success and effectiveness of laser tattoo removal—by 70%, according to one study. Nicotine is well-known to hinder wound healing and constrict blood vessels, and it may also slow down the immune system’s ability to “clean up” treated tattoo ink particles.
• Protect your skin from sun exposure. UV radiation from sunlight darkens your skin by producing melanin, and the more melanin in your skin, the more difficult it is for the laser to target the tattoo ink. Wear a broad-spectrum SPF on exposed areas, and cover up as much as possible when in indirect or direct sunlight.
• Exercise, sleep, drink water, and eat right. All of these good healthy habits promote the health of your lymph system, which is responsible for carrying away and eliminating the tattoo pigment as bodily waste.
• Keep up your laser appointments at 8-week intervals. Stick with your laser tattoo removal, and you will see results—this treatment is the gold standard for eliminating unwanted ink.

Can you completely remove a tattoo with a laser?

Yes, laser tattoo removal can remove a tattoo completely in some cases. However, a set number of sessions of laser tattoo removal may not remove 100% of tattoo ink traces, depending on the color, age, location, and state of the ink; it’s important to continue to treat the area every 8 weeks until you see your desired results.

How much does laser tattoo removal cost in Asheville?

The smallest, simplest tattoo removal session begins around $150 per treatment and goes up from there based on the size of the tattoo. The total cost of laser tattoo removal depends on how many sessions are needed to reach a level of tattoo reduction you are happy with, so this varies from patient to patient (usually between 6 and 8). 

During your free consultation, one of our experienced laser technicians will examine your skin to determine whether you are a good candidate for laser treatment, as well as go over our treatment recommendations and provide a quote for services before beginning your first session.

Schedule your laser tattoo removal consultation with Mountain Radiance

Located just south of Biltmore Village, the Mountain Radiance medical spa team strives to cultivate a warm, friendly environment for laser tattoo removal and other medical aesthetic services. Our laser specialists use only the best, safest technology for our treatments and procedures, all of which are carefully vetted by our physician-owner, Dr. Mark Chandler. To learn more about Asheville laser tattoo removal or to schedule your consultation, call  (828) 627-2711 or reach out to us online today.

Area Served:

• Asheville