Story and photos by Hannah Dillon

Getting a tattoo is a lifelong investment, but sometimes things don’t work out.

That’s where Zogg Dermatology comes in.

Zogg Dermatology, at 2718 Ekko Ave., offers a handful of dermatological services, and one of those services is tattoo removal. The business has offered this service since 2008.

Deanne Zogg, registered nurse and office manager at Zogg Dermatology, said there are a few things to consider when removing a tattoo.

The color, age and type of the tattoo can factor into whether a tattoo can be removed, Zogg said.

Some colors are affected by the laser better than others, and some colors aren’t affected at all. This is important so Zogg can tell whether she will be able to remove the tattoo.

The age of the tattoo matters as well, because older tattoos are usually easier to remove, Zogg said. Tattoo technology has advanced over the years and the newer inks are harder to remove, but she said the lasers are progressing to keep up as well.

Finally, the type of tattoo can change whether a tattoo can be removed. A homemade tattoo will be much easier to remove than a professional one, Zogg said, because homemade tattoos don’t have the sophisticated ink that professionals use.

The combination of these elements factor into how many treatments it will take to remove the tattoo. If Zogg determines she can’t remove a tattoo completely, she won’t do any treatments.

Zogg said 10 to 20 treatments isn’t uncommon, and treatments can only be done once a month to allow the skin to heal and the lymphatic system to carry away the ink.

The SkinClear TA-2 laser works by exposing the ink to energy. The ink absorbs the energy and is blasted into small particles, which is then carried away by the lymphatic system.

Zogg Dermatology only has one laser, but is looking at buying another one. A new laser would mean better technology that can remove more tattoos faster, which is what patients want, she said.

During tattoo removal, Zogg said the skin is not really affected and there are not a lot of scars or blisters left from the treatment. However, the laser can cause skin pigmentation loss to people with a higher Fitzpatrick skin type — which is usually people with dark skin.

Using a scar cream after treatments can help speed the process up, Zogg said, and sunscreen is a must for at least eight days after the treatment.

As for the level of pain, she said she’s never needed to have a tattoo removed herself as she doesn’t have any, but most patients say the pain isn’t any worse than getting the tattoo in the first place.

Zogg said tattoo artists who have come to get their tattoos wrecked — partially removed by the laser to make coverup work easier — say that the initial laser pulses sting more in the beginning and get better the longer they go, whereas getting a tattoo hurts worse the longer it takes.

In special cases, cutting out the tattoo can remove smaller tattoos or just parts of tattoos quicker than laser removal.

Zogg said to make sure the person removing the tattoo is a health care professional with a regulated laser. She cautioned against getting tattoos removed in a tattoo parlor or by using over the counter creams.

Mostly, Zogg said to think about getting the tattoo before it’s done. She said many of the tattoos she removes have sentimental value to her patients that becomes painful — for example, the name of a significant other the patient isn’t with anymore.

The cost of tattoo removal varies based on tattoo age, color, type and size, so Zogg recommends getting a free consultation by calling 507-373-2270. During the consultation, Zogg will determine if she can remove the tattoo.