Three Wavelengths for Multicolor Ink in Miami Beach
Fade Unwanted Tattoos With Cutera enlighten Laser Tattoo Removal
A tattoo that once felt right can stop fitting your life, and a laser can help you fade it. Laser tattoo removal at the Miami Center for Plastic Surgery uses Cutera enlighten, a system that combines three laser wavelengths, each suited to different ink colors. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)(opens in a new tab) reports that lasers have largely replaced other tattoo removal methods and that today's lasers can treat ink colors that were once hard to remove.
At our Miami Beach med spa, Roxanne Tevel, PA-C (Physician Assistant, Certified) delivers every laser treatment, and she works in a practice led by a double board-certified plastic surgeon. Your first visit starts with a close look at your tattoo, your skin, and your health history, so your plan matches your ink and your goals.
Ready to talk through your options? Book your laser tattoo removal appointment online(opens in a new tab), and our team will help you plan your treatment.
A Clear Plan From Consultation to Final Session
How Cutera enlighten Laser Tattoo Removal Works
Cutera enlighten removes tattoo ink by sending very short pulses of laser light into the skin, where the ink absorbs the energy and breaks into tiny particles that your body clears away over time. According to Cutera's enlighten product information(opens in a new tab), the system combines three wavelengths (532, 1064, and 670 nanometers, or nm, a measure of light color) with pulse lengths measured in nanoseconds (billionths of a second) and picoseconds (trillionths of a second). Tattoos contain many colors, and Cutera explains that multiple colors call for multiple wavelengths. The AAD(opens in a new tab) makes a similar point: a single laser can't remove every ink color.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Laser Tattoo Removal
Most people can safely have laser tattoo removal, with a few exceptions your provider will review before you begin. The AAD says you need a healthy immune system for the treatment to work and that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not be treated. Cutera also lists current skin cancer treatment as a reason to hold off.
At your consultation, your provider will look at how long you've had the tattoo, how deeply the ink sits, which colors it contains, and where it is on your body. They'll also ask about your health and the medicines you take, plus any history of raised scarring, including keloids (thick scars that grow beyond the original wound). Some lighter inks, such as green, blue, red, and yellow, respond differently depending on skin tone, so your provider will check how your ink and skin match before choosing settings.
What Happens During Treatment
Laser tattoo removal happens in stages, and your provider will walk you through each one.
- Consultation: Your provider reviews your tattoo, skin, and medical history, explains what to expect, and estimates how many sessions to plan for.
- Treatment Session: Cutera enlighten sends short pulses of laser light through the skin. The ink absorbs the energy and shatters into tiny particles.
- Healing Between Sessions: Your body, not the laser, flushes the ink particles away, and your skin needs time to heal, so sessions are spaced weeks apart.
- Follow-Up Sessions: Tattoo artists layer ink, and a laser can't safely break down every layer at once, according to the AAD. Each treatment should lighten the tattoo further.
The AAD notes that laser tattoo removal can feel uncomfortable, so ask your provider about comfort options at your consultation.
Recovery and Aftercare Between Sessions
After a session, you may see redness, swelling, and a little blistering while your skin heals. Some people develop lighter or darker spots in the treated area, and the AAD says these tend to fade within 6 to 12 months. Your provider will go over care instructions for your skin. The AAD also recommends keeping every appointment and protecting the treated area from the sun for three months, ideally with clothing that blocks light completely.
You may come across tattoo removal creams and do-it-yourself kits online. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns against them, according to the AAD, because there's no evidence they remove tattoos and some contain strong acids that can burn the skin or leave permanent scars.
What Sets Our Tattoo Removal Care Apart
You'll have your treatment in a medical practice, with a provider who already delivers every laser treatment we offer. Our team reviews your skin type before recommending any treatment, and we explain your pricing at your consultation before anything begins.
The Miami Center for Plastic Surgery was founded by Dr. Gabriel Salloum, who holds double board certification from the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He designed our 3,300-square-foot Miami Beach facility around his belief that patients deserve an exceptional experience as well as exceptional outcomes. Cutera enlighten joins our menu of laser treatments at our Miami Beach med spa, alongside our surgical and dermatology services under one roof.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cutera enlighten remove colored tattoos?
Yes, Cutera enlighten is designed to treat multicolor tattoos, though results depend on the colors in your ink and your skin tone. According to Cutera's published indications, the 1064 nm wavelength treats dark inks, while the 670 and 532 nm wavelengths treat lighter inks such as green, blue, red, and yellow. Cutera lists narrower skin tone ranges for some of those lighter colors, so your provider will tell you what to expect for your tattoo before you begin.
How many laser tattoo removal sessions will I need?
Most tattoos need more than one session, and your provider can estimate the number once she sees your tattoo in person. The AAD explains that ink sits in layers a laser can't safely break down all at once, and your skin needs weeks between treatments to heal while your body clears the ink. Size, colors, and how deep the ink sits all affect the total.
What are the side effects of laser tattoo removal?
You may notice redness, swelling, and a little blistering after a session, and some people develop lighter or darker patches of skin that usually fade within 6 to 12 months, according to the AAD. Other possible effects listed in Cutera's safety information include scabbing, infection, texture changes, scarring, ink darkening, and incomplete removal. No laser can guarantee that a tattoo will disappear completely, so your provider will go over the risks with you before your first session.
How much does laser tattoo removal cost in Miami Beach?
Your cost depends on your tattoo's size, colors, and ink depth, which set how many sessions you'll need, so we quote your price at your consultation before any treatment begins. We also offer flexible payment plans through Cherry, and you can read about Cherry financing options on our financing page.
How do I schedule laser tattoo removal near me in Miami?
Scheduling is easy! You can book your laser tattoo removal appointment online with Roxanne Tevel, PA-C at the Miami Center for Plastic Surgery in Miami Beach, or call our team at (305) 405-6910. We look forward to seeing you!