Demand Grows for Laser Tattoo Removal Procedures

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Becky

laser tattoo removal procedure More people who regret their tattoos are taking action and getting them removed with laser tattoo removal procedures, reports ModernMedicine.

The tattoo industry has grown in recent years, which in turn has increased the demand for tattoo removal.

Tattoo removal revenue has risen about 21 percent over the past five years, market analysis firm IBISWorld reports. Analysts believe that the tattoo removal business will continue to grow over the next five years, although at a slower rate.

As tattoos have gained more social acceptability, more people have gotten them, resulting in more potential consumers who may later want to have their tattoo removed.

There are a number of reasons for tattoo regret, which the Chicago Tribune recently highlighted, such as a tattoo that commemorates a former flame. Others hope that getting rid of a tattoo will increase the chances of getting hired.

For instance, 23-year-old Mollie Linn received a tattoo-removal session for her birthday from her parents. She has a peace sign tattooed on her wrist, and they worried about what kind of first impression it makes on prospective employers.

Laser Tattoo Removal Procedure Basics

The easiest tattoos to remove are those that are:

  • Fresh or very faded
  • Done by amateur tattoo artists (the ink does not penetrate as deeply)
  • Done in black and dark blue ink

Tattoos with multiple pigments or ink colors are harder to remove and may require different laser treatments to address each color.

The appropriate laser for removal depends on the ink color. Here are some possible lasers that may be used for various ink colors:

  • Black and dark blue ink – q-switched Alexandrite or Nd:Yag lasers
  • Red, orange, pink, yellow and green (which are more difficult to remove and may require more treatments) – q-switched Ruby or Nd: Yag lasers
  • CO2 lasers may also be used for tattoo removal

Contact Visage Surgical Institute to find out more about our laser procedures.

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Study Examines Swelling After Dermal Fillers

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Becky

dermal filler side effect Hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane, are popular non-surgical injectables. They are among the safest, most effective anti-aging treatments for the face; however, there are some possible side effects.

A new study examined the incidence of edema, a potential side effect of dermal fillers, after hyaluronic acid injections. Published in the American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery, the study looked at cases of swelling for injections done to the under eye area. According to the authors, there has been an increase in the use of hyaluronic acid fillers for under eye rejuvenation during the past decade.

The study reviewed medical records of 51 patients who had received hyaluronic acid gel under the eyes between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2011. Edema was defined as a clinically significant degree of swelling that lasted a month or more following the injection.

The study found that 12 patients (24%) had prolonged periorbital edema following the procedure. The average duration of the swelling was about 6 months, and Juvederm was the injectable used for the majority of patients (45 of the 51).

According to the authors, there were no signs prior to the injection that “consistently identified patients susceptible to the edema.”

The authors concluded that prolonged swelling occurred in a significant minority of patients. Because it is difficult to identify which patients might be most susceptible to periorbital edema, the authors stressed the importance of doctors discussing this potential complication with patients who are considering getting hyaluronic acid injections under the eyes.

The doctor’s injection technique also plays a role, so it is very important to find a physician who is very experienced with the dermal filler.

In addition to filling under eye depressions, hyaluronic acid dermal fillers can also correct nasolabial folds, marionette lines, upper lip wrinkles (i.e., “smoker’s lines”), and deep frown lines. They may also be used for lip augmentation and acne scar correction.

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Study Examines Teens’ Sunscreen & Tanning Habits

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Becky

A new study shows troubling data about teens’ sunscreen habits. While more than half reported having suffered a sunburn, only a quarter were using sunscreen regularly at age 14.

The study, published in Pediatrics, tracked 360 U.S. kids’ sunscreen and tanning behaviors for three years. The participants were first surveyed in 2004 as fifth graders, and they were surveyed again in 2007 as eighth graders.

Researchers found the following about kids’ sunburn and tanning experiences:

  • More than half (53 percent) had suffered at least one sunburn by the age of 11.
  • Half used sunscreen at the beginning of the study, but only 25 percent still did three years later.
  • The proportion of kids who admitted to “liking a tan and spending time outside to get a tan significantly increased” as they got older.
  • Two out of 10 went outside just to tan when they were in fifth grade; 4 out of 10 did by eighth grade.

According to the authors, the years of “periadolescence” (ages 11 to 14) seem to be “a crucial period” when kids and teens “increase or decrease their use of sun protection, obtain sunburns, or change their tan-promoting attitudes.”

“I think especially at this age, and in general, there are a lot of forces that promote tanning,” said lead researcher Dr. Stephen Dusza, of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

Dr. Sophie Balk, a pediatrician, said the study highlights that many kids aren’t protecting their skin.

“The problem is if you sunburn in childhood, you raise your risk of developing skin cancer later on,” said Balk.

According to Dusza, the next step is to figure out how to effectively promote sun protection in pediatric offices and community settings, like beaches and sporting events.

In addition to wearing sunscreen, Balk recommends protecting your skin with sun-protective clothing, hats and sunglasses.

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