Tattoo Removal

Tattoo removal of the past was very painful. Thanks to recent innovations in laser technology, tattoo removal is improved now more than ever. Physician Skin Institute is excited to exclusively offer the latest tattoo removal technology: the Palmoar Q-YAG 5 Q-switched Laser System. Treating tattoos twice as fast and twice as comfortably as previous generation technology, this equipment takes tattoo removal to a whole new experience.

Commonly asked questions

How does it work?

Our short-pulsed lasers emit a focused beam of light over the tattoo, causing the tattoo ink to absorb the lights. Once this has occurred, the pigment colors of the tattoo begin to vaporize allowing the tattoo to gradually disappear.

Why is this technology better?

Physician Skin Institute patients are thrilled with our advanced laser tattoo removal technology because we can remove tattoos faster and with less pain. Previous generation technology broke the top layer of the skin, which resulted in slow-to-heal, painful scarring and open wounds. Palmoar’s Q-YAG 5 Q-switched Laser System targets the ink directly instead and explodes the cell, stimulating the ink to fade away, and avoiding the need for scarring, wounds, pain, and downtime.

In addition, previous generation equipment treated only a limited amount of colors. our clients prefer our technology because it uses multiple wavelengths, allowing us to treat more colors and remove more kinds of tattoos. [Read more]

Are they any side effects?

Side effects are generally minimal, but may include hypopigmentation (a lack of skin color), hyperpigmentation (too much color in the skin), an infection of the tattoo site, or failure to completely remove the tattoo. There is also a very small chance that permanent scarring will occur at the tattoo site.

How long will it take to remove my tattoo? How Many Treatments?

Depending on the size and the colors of the area to be treated, it will take anywhere from 3 to 8 (6 is average) treatments in most cases. For more extensive tattoos it may take more treatments. Expect to come in every six weeks for your treatments.

What is unique about this Tattoo Equipment you use?

The Q-YAG 5 is an Amazing New one of a kind technology. The Q-YAG 5 stands above all its competitors for the simple reason that it is far more gentle on the skin. Almost all the other equipment in the marketplace aggressively tears through the top layer of your skin in order to make the tattoo disappear. The question you need to ask yourself is how important is the comfort level of the procedure to you? This new technology targets the pigment and gradually fades it away versus literally all other equipment which tears through the skin to achieve similar results. The Q-YAG 5 is one of the only technologies in the marketplace that does not require you to apply after care products and bandaging. Come do your treatment and you are good to go!

Is laser tattoo removal painful?

With our new technology maybe of our clients tell us it simply feels like a rubber band lightly snapping on ones skin. However if needed we can apply a topical anesthetic 30 minutes prior to treatment for your ultimate comfort. Healing for each treatment takes approximately two weeks. There is much less discomfort involved with laser removal than with older methods of tattoo removal, such as dermabrasion, where the skin is sanded; cryosurgery, which freezes skin prior to surgery; or surgical excision.

Why is Physicians Skin Institute the preferred medical spa for laser tattoo removal?

Physicians Skin Institute (PSI) offers results-oriented skincare in a luxurious spa setting. Services include IPL Photo Facials, Botox, Laser Vein Removal, Chemical Peels, Laser Hair Removal, and more. PSI offers several hard-to-find treatments such as Microdermabrasion without crystals (Vibraderm), a highly effective form of acne therapy and the only tattoo removal in Arizona advanced enough to treat twice as fast and twice as comfortably as previous generation technology.

Featuring a diverse Medical Advisory board and an expert team of aestheticians, certified laser technicians, and nurses, consider yourself in excellent hands at PSI. The leaders of PSI operate National Laser Institute National Laser Institute (NLI) a Laser and IPL school training technicians throughout the country. NLI’s mission is to cultivate Laser and IPL safety industry-wide, and their safety advocacy carries over to PSI, where treatments are handled with the ultimate care.

Shelley Cook, a California native is now a resident of Cave Creek Arizona, and has lived in the valley for 14 years. Shelley has a passion for helping people achieve their goals of removing their unwanted tattoos, "its such a great feeling to see my customers so happy when their tattoo is a thing of the past, it makes my day when they are done with their treatments and showing off their new improved self to their friends!"

In addition to bearing the credentials of Laser Tattoo Specialist and Certified Laser Technician, Shelley is one of the only tattoo removal specialist in the valley that is also a Clinical Laser instructor at the nationally recognized National Laser Institute. On a monthly basis she teaches doctors, nurses, aestheticians and others how to perform safe and effective laser treatments. Shelley continues to teach as she has a passion for education, helping others and staying at the forefront of the industry. Shelley's customers feel like they are in great hands knowing their tattoo removal technician is also a current instructor of laser procedures.

Shelley was recently awarded the honor of being asked to be a Lead Laser Tattoo instructor for the National Rollout of "Just Tattoo Removal" a franchised tattoo removal operation positioned to open hundreds of locations nationwide. Shelley will be part of the team whom will teach all future franchises how to safely and effectively operate tattoo lasers.

Far more important then having the best technology used in your treatment (which Shelley has) is the individual whom is performing your treatments. With Tattoo by Shelley, you are in great hands!

Shelley is truly a people person and has a natural knack for making all her customers feel right at home. Shelley is a breast cancer survivor and had the passion and drive to write the book "Breast Cancer , are you kidding us we're not even 40!". Her book will be available at Amazon.com in the upcoming months.

"When I made the decision to have my tattoo removed, I wanted it to be done by a professional and well known establishment. On my first visit I was nervous, but Shelley was so bubbly and kind that all my fears were alleviated. I just finished my third laser session and my husband is amazed at how faded it is already. It will be wonderful to wear sleeveless shirts to work, especially living in Arizona, and not have to worry about anyone looking at me differently." -Kathy J

To sign up for a free consultation simply fill out your name and phone number on below form and we will contact you to schedule an appointment. After you speak to our expert in person you will have the option to either start your treatments that day immediately following your consultation or book an appointment for a different day if you so choose.