FAQ

One of the first things we do when you show up for your first tattoo removal experience at The UnTattoo Parlor is photograph your tattoo. This photograph is used to document and compare changes between treatment sessions, and to help advise us on our treatment plan. Once photographed and compared with any previous documentations, we numb the area of skin with a lidocaine injection before applying the tattoo removal laser.

Lidocaine numbs the skin, allowing your tattoo removal experience to be pain free. This local anesthetic is optional, and choosing to forgo is perfectly fine but may result in some discomfort. The laser is then applied by hand, making sure that the entire tattoo area is covered with precision. Once the treatment is finished, we apply an antibiotic ointment and cover the area with a protective dressing.

Many people feel well enough to resume their regular activities immediately after treatment. After treatment your body will slowly rid itself of the tattoo ink and you should see significant fading of your unwanted ink. We recommend between 1-3 treatments for lightening and 3-6 treatments for complete removal.

Tattoo removal is a process. You should experience some significant fading, but don’t expect a complete tattoo removal after one session. We usually recommend between 1-3 treatments for lightening and 3-6 treatments for complete removal with the Canedela Picoway.

No, most self tattoo removal methods work by repeatedly destroying or removing the whole area of tattooed skin. These processes can lead to fading or tattoo removal over time, but are rarely effective in the complete removal of a tattoo and often leave scarring behind as a result.

PicoSecond laser tattoo removal is simply laser tattoo removal treatment that is completed using a PicoSecond laser. These lasers provide a faster and less damaging tattoo removal experience because they operate at a faster speed than traditional Q-Switch lasers. (Picoseconds – one trillionth of a second, vs nanoseconds – one billionth of a second).

This allows them to remove tattoos more quickly and completely than older-style Q-Switch lasers, and do a better job of fading and removing green and blue inks.

At The UnTattoo Parlor we offer a 10% discount to all active and former military personnel.

Currently, there is no research that indicates that laser tattoo removal poses a risk to your baby’s health, but that isn’t a 100% guarantee. The biggest risk posed during laser tattoo removal is an increased chance of scarring, hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.

This is due to an increase in the photosensitivity of your skin that happens while you are pregnant, potentially causing your skin to become more sensitive to the laser used for treatment. Because of this risk, if you are currently pregnant, we advise you to consider whether tattoo removal is right for you.

Yes! Once treated, the previously tattooed skill will need some time to completely heal and for internal inflammation to settle. We recommend waiting around 6 weeks after your last tattoo removal session before getting a new tattoo in the same area.

Although commonly regarded as the most difficult colored inks to remove, we’ve found that green and blue ink tattoo removal is effective and fast when treated with our Candela Picoway.

While the chance of scarring after treatment is unlikely, there are some temporary side effects that you may expect from your skin after laser tattoo removal. After treatment, most patients notice that their skin turns white and puffy in the treated area. This is a sign of healing and will most likely subside in a few hours. Following that, patients may also experience: Redness, Tenderness, Swelling, Blistering, Scabs, Bruising, Hyperpigmentation, and Hypopigmentation.

These side effects are all temporary, however, and should subside completely in a few weeks. After that, your skin should return to it’s normal tone and texture, with a reduced appearance of the unwanted tattoo.

While tattoo removal is traditionally regarded as more painful than actually getting a tattoo, the Untattoo Parlor offers a local anesthetic to instantly numb the treatment area. If so desired, we can administer a shot of lidocaine before proceeding with the laser treatment. Once anesthetized, the laser tattoo removal treatment is pain-free.

We also offer self-administered Nitrous Oxide (NO), commonly known as 'laughing gas' to relieve anxiety and reduce pain.

The UnTattoo Parlor is staffed with trained, licensed and registered nurses and a Board Certified Surgeon, allowing us to provide nothing but the best and least painful tattoo removal treatment in Portland, OR.

The laser tattoo removal treatment itself can be anywhere from 2-30 minutes depending on the size and density of the tattoo. For example, a small, black ink tattoo might take just a few minutes while a large tattoo with lots of lines and colors might take around half an hour. If you have a very large tattoo, treatments might be spread out over a period of days in order to minimize your time under the laser.

Even though the Untattoo Parlor uses the most advanced tattoo removal lasers available, removing a tattoo is still a process that takes commitment, time, and patience. The number of treatments will vary depending on the color, density, and age of the tattoo as well as your skin type. Some tattoos may clear faster than others, while those that have lots of color might take a bit longer. Although most tattoos can be removed entirely, in some cases total clearance may not be possible. If this happens, usually only faint ghost lines will remain.

The Untattoo Parlor is committed to treating your tattoo until as much of the ink has been removed as possible. With the Candela Picoway, you can expect anywhere from 1-3 treatments for lightening and 6-9 treatments for complete removal. If you are still curious to know how many tattoo removal treatments it will take to completely remove your tattoo, we recommend calling us for a free consultation.

The chance of scarring is unlikely but possible. The Untattoo Parlor uses the Candela PIcoway laser which condenses and directly targets energy only to the ink pigment leaving the surrounding skin untouched and unharmed. Scarring is often the result of older Q-Switched lasers and/or untrained technicians using excessive heat and energy. If scarring begins to occur during your treatment process we will suspend any further treatments until we have consulted with you and worked out a treatment plan.

The Untattoo Parlor staff includes trained, licensed registered nurses and a Board Certified Surgeon to treat tattoos.

Right away. You can resume all your regular activities (except sunbathing) immediately after treatment. It is important to be mindful to wear comfortable clothing that will not rub against or otherwise irritate the treatment area.