Eyelash extensions are a cosmetic technique used to lengthen eyelashes one lash fiber at a time.  Like hair extensions, this technique has gained much popularity in recent years.  In the past, it was more common to use a lash “strip” that would be applied over the end of the eyelid, above the natural lashes.  This would be criticized as looking “fake” and could also be easily removed.

Modern eyelash extensions are a far-cry from the “fake lashes” of the past.  The technique involves bonding a single synthetic fiber to each eyelash, one lash at a time.  The bonding process produces a durable, longer eyelash that you can sleep and shower with.  Excessive use of oil-based products can break down the adhesive, however.  Due to the labor-intensive nature of the service, the cost is higher than strip-lashes, but the difference is evident at once - natural-looking long lashes versus a garrish look that is anything but natural.

At TMD Medi-Spa, our licensed esthetician provides this and many other services.  In the month of November, we are promoting eyelash extensions for only $125 for a full set (50% off our regular prices)!

We have many patients that come to us for removal of cosmetic tattoos.  The most common are eyebrow tattoos but we also get requests for lip liner and eye liner tattoos.  They may have been placed at a medical office or by an esthetic tattooist, or they may have been created by a primarily artistic tattooist.  The most straight-forward for laser removal are eyebrow tattoos.  One issue that has to be addressed is whether iron oxide pigments were used in the tattoo.  If so, laser treatment could cause the tattoo to change color from a rust/brown to a black or gray.  Although the tattoo may still be removable, it takes more laser treatments than otherwise and may be an unacceptable color during the laser process.  Usually, the patient does not know and is unable to find out whether the ink contained iron oxide.  For this reason, we perform a tiny test spot at the first treatment to make sure that the tattoo doesn’t change color unacceptably.
Eye liner tattoos are difficult to deal with since lasering over the unprotected eyeball is dangerous.  Therefore, we don’t perform eye-liner tattoo removal as it requires intra-ocular protection and is much more uncomfortable.  Our approach to lip-liner tattoos is similar to that of eyebrow tattoos.

Otherwise, cosmetic tattoo removal is similar to removal of artistic tattoos.  Treatment intervals and aftercare are essentially the same.  Pricing is set based on the location of the tattoo, rather than by the square inch.  It is best to come in for a free consultation to have the tattoo evaluated and discuss the pros and cons of cosmetic tattoo removal.

Our standard recommendation is for people to wait at least six weeks, and preferably four, between their tattoo removal treatments.  This is not because of time needed for healing - usually there is no burn or blistering, so very little “healing” needs to occur.  The 4-6 week figure comes from the theory that tattoo removal doesn’t just happen because the ink gets blasted away by the laser, rather it relies on an active process in the skin that involves the immune system.  It is thought that ink particles are taken up by immune cells and moved away from the tattooed area through lymphatics.  Any such complex process takes time, and it correlates with our observation that the longer people wait between laser tattoo removal treatments, the more fading there is.  There is a point of diminishing returns, though.  With each passing week there is less and less additional fading, so if time is of the essence, then getting a treatment every 4-6 weeks is best, but you may in the end get more treatments in total than if you waited, say, at least 6 weeks.

If the tattoo is very dark to begin with or is a cover-up, there may not be any noticeable difference after the first treatment or two.  Even if ink is actively being taken out of the tattoo after a laser treatment, the tattoo may stilll contain so much pigment that it may not look lighter.  So don’t despair if your tattoo falls in this category - it may simply require more treatments than a lighter tattoo.

Due to popular demand, we will now be taking appointments for laser tattoo removal, laser hair removal and Botox for Mondays twice a month.  This will be in addition to our regular Tuesday-Saturday schedule.  We understand that certain professions, such as hair stylists or shopkeepers (even tattoo artists) may be off on those days, so we wanted to accommodate.  Michelle, a nurse practitioner who has worked with us in the past, will be performing treatments on those days.  We plan to start offering Monday treatments after Thanksgiving.  Call and schedule your free consultation today!

At Tattoo MD, we often get patient inquiries regarding treatment during pregnancy or breast-feeding.  Patients want to know if they can get a tattoo removed during pregnancy or get Botox while breast-feeding, etc.  The answer to this is often “no,” but not for obvious reasons.  Laser tattoo removal, for instance, is avoided during both breast-feeding pregnancy.  Research has generally not been done to prove that any such procedures are not safe or vice-versa.  We generally follow the principle that if any chemicals could be produced or added that are not normally present in the body, then we avoid the procedure during this time.

For instance, laser tattoo removal breaks tattoo pigments into smaller components and mobilizes them to distant sites away from where the tattoo is.  Although it is not known whether these pigments could cross the placenta or enter breast-milk, we assume that it’s possible.  Laser hair removal by itself does not introduce any foreign chemicals but topical anesthetic cream is used, so it is avoided for that reason.  Botox injections are avoided also, although the chance of causing a problem with a fetus or nursing child is extremely low, since it has never been tested in that setting, and probably never will be.  Injectable fillers, such as Juvederm and Radiesse are composed of natural ingredients, hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite.  However, lidocaine is injected or applied topically, so these are also not used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

So what services can we offer during this period?  Actually, quite a few.  Microdermabrasion is completely safe.  It does not introduce anything and works on the surface of the skin.  Sclerotherapy of spider veins is also safe, since it uses natural salt water in minute amounts that are only active locally at the site of injection.  Most of the other estheticiain services, such as waxing, facials and eyelash extensions are safe, but Vi Peels are not done.

To the pregnant or nursing mothers out there - just hang in there!

Arnica is a plant that has gotten a lot of attention and advocacy in its use for promotion of wound healing and prevention of bruising.  Although we do not offer arnica as after-care for laser tattoo removal or for injectable treatments, arnica is often advocated by plastic surgeons to minimize post-operative bruising.  But is it safe and effective?  Since arnica is not a synthetic chemical or drug, it contains multiple different active compounds with their own various effects.  It is not regulated by the FDA.  Most sources advise against oral ingestion of arnica or application over open wounds due to the risk of toxic effects.

We had an arnica side effect during Botox injection that is worth sharing with others.  A patient that had previously not had any problems with Botox developed severe bruising after injection with the tiny insulin syringe.  It was so dramatic that the procedure had to be aborted.  The patient had no prior such problems and admitted to being only on oral arnica supplements which she had obtained on her own initiative.  After researching arnica side effects, we found that it contains coumarin, a chemical that prolongs blood clotting time, which would cause - guess what?  Increased bruising!  We naturally advised the patient stop using the arnica and to see her doctor.  However, it makes you wonder how many other such “natural” but not well-tested remedies exist out there that may not just be unhelpful but actually cause problems?

In appreciation of our country’s law enforcement officers, Tattoo MD offers a 15% discount off all our laser services, including laser tattoo removal and hair removal, and esthetician services.  At Tattoo MD, we welcome relationships with local law enforcement officers.  We know that these brave men and women put themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis and would like to express a small thank you in return.

At Tattoo MD, we appreciate the service to our country that our brave soldiers provide.  Although soldiers may treasure some of the tattoos they get during service, they may have some that they are not so fond of.  Tattoo MD is there for these servicemen and women.  We have been contacted both by soldiers at home and serving abroad about getting tattoos removed.  Whether you are in the Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, or other branches of the military, we offer a 25% discount off our regular tattoo removal prices.
As always, consultations are free, so call 877-822-6352 to make an appointment!

Intensive Repair is a skin care product that Dr. Kaplan and Tattoo MD developed specifically for relief after laser tattoo removal.  Although there may not be any pain after a laser session, there is always the possibility of blistering or aching after the treatment.  When Tattoo MD first opened, we tried neosporin ointment and homeopathic remedies, but were dissatisfied with the results.  We therefore enlisted the assistance of pharmacists who helped us develop an aftercare lotion.

What we came up with is a combination of a gel base and multiple healing ingredients, such as aloe vera, callendula, and arnica.  Having experienced laser tattoo removal himself, Dr. Kaplan attested to the immediate soothing properties of Intensive Repair.  We recommend using Intensive Repair after you laser tattoo removal treatments with us.  It may even be useful for other conditions, such as minor burns or wounds (so don’t get rid of it when your tattoo is gone!).

When I was 16, I decided to tattoo my family coat of arms, which is very old and has a ton of history behind it, on my ankle.  Of course my parents where upset.  I had definitely gone behind their backs. But I thought that it really meant something to me.  In any event by the time I was 25, I wanted it off.  It would bother me when I would dressed up.   My mom and I where driving down to Los Angeles a couple of days ago, and I told her that I was having it removed and had an appointment later in the afternoon.  (Obviously my mom and I are much closer now, than back when I was a teenager.)   Anyways, all of a sudden she pulls out her 18K gold ring which is engraved with our family coat of arms.  It is an exact replica of my tattoo.   She wore the ring for 30 years with out taking it off.   And she says here “This is yours know.”   I almost started crying.

- by a patient of Tattoo MD