FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions we hear most. Don't see yours? Contact us anytime.
Does laser tattoo removal hurt? How is Inked Away™ different?
Tattoo removal's painful reputation comes mostly from older laser technology and clinics that offer little more than an ice pack. It doesn't have to be that way. Inked Away was built by physicians around one goal: comfort. Our PicoWay picosecond laser works in trillionths of a second, so far less heat reaches your skin than with older lasers. On top of that, we layer the comfort tools only a medical practice can offer: -30°C cryo air to numb the skin throughout your session, prescription-strength topical numbing, and local anesthetics for the most sensitive areas. Most of our patients describe the experience as comfortable, and many tell us it was easier than getting the tattoo in the first place. Actual laser time is often just a few minutes, and you can ask us to pause at any time.
Is Inked Away a medical clinic?
Yes. Inked Away is a physician-owned medical practice solely focused on tattoo removal services. It was founded and is led by two physicians, Wesley R. Prickett, M.D., and Matthew J. Stottle, M.D., both board-certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine. Their entire careers are built on keeping people comfortable and safe through procedures, and our goal is to bring a more comfortable approach to tattoo removal. Your treatment happens in a medical suite. We use cutting-edge, medical-grade lasers and greatly increase comfort with cryoanesthesia. All procedures follow written clinical protocols authored and signed by our physicians. We are not a spa, a studio, or a storefront that added a laser.
Who actually performs my treatment?
Every treatment is performed by a licensed medical provider: our advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) or one of our physicians. No aestheticians, no medical assistants, no laser technicians. Real nurses and doctors.
How does laser tattoo removal actually work?
Tattoo ink sits in the dermis, the layer of skin beneath the surface, which is exactly why tattoos are permanent (the skin cannot shed it). Our laser delivers pulses measured in picoseconds (trillionths of a second) at wavelengths that ink absorbs strongly and surrounding tissue does not. The pulse is so brief that it fractures ink particles mechanically, which is what makes picosecond technology so gentle on the skin compared to older, outdated laser technology still widely used. Your own immune system does the rest, clearing the fragments over the following weeks. That process continues long after you leave, which is why your tattoo keeps fading between appointments.
How many sessions will I need and how often do I have to come?
Most tattoos fall in the range of [6–12] sessions; dense blackwork and previously treated tattoos can take more. We give you an honest estimate at your consultation and revise it as we watch how your skin responds. One thing we would rather tell you now than have you discover at session three: we treat the deepest layer of ink first. That produces a better final result and slower-looking early progress. If your first two or three sessions feel underwhelming, that is the plan working, not failing. It depends on many factors, such as tattoo size, ink density, colors present, age of tattoo, location, skin type, general health, and other factors.