How to Qualify for Tattoo Removal Program
  1. Individuals must be referred/sponsored (i.e. by another self-help community group/organization, a counselor, a parole officer, a teacher, an employer, etc.) Self referrals or referrals from family members do not qualify. Sponsors will be responsible for ensuring that participants maintain the criteria stated in the contract (see #11 below).
  2. Potential participants for this program must be enrolled in school and/or currently employed. Participation is a self help program is recommended.
  3. A requirement of 25 hours community service must be completed prior to acceptance into this program. A signed letter of completion must be presented at the time of the interview. An additional 10 hours of community service will be required prior to each subsequent treatment session.
  4. Tattoos must be gang related, and it is at the discretion of the volunteer physicians and laser clinic staff as to which tattoos will be removed. Typically, only those tattoos that are visible when normal clothing is worn (i.e. pants/skirt and short sleeved shirt) will be removed in this program.
  5. Individuals must reside in Colorado.
  6. Individuals must be on the outside, not locked up (i.e. boot camp or jail).
  7. Individuals may be dropped from the program if they are late for, or miss appointments twice. Responsibility will be on the participant to verify appointment times with the laser clinic.
  8. The focus of this program will be juveniles.
  9. To arrange an interview session, please contact either GRASP at 303-777-3117, or Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives at 303-893-GANG. The interview determines eligibility into this program.
  10. Successful applicants can expect a phone call from the laser clinic within a few months of interview to begin treatment sessions.
  11. A completed tracking form (distributed by the laser clinic) must be presented at the beginning of each treatment session. This is to ensure that terms of the contract are being maintained and community service requirements are being met.



    12. The Process

Candela PLTL TATULAZR Fact sheet

Applications

Candela PLTL TATULAZRtm is designed to remove tattoos, both professional and amateur. The Tattoos most easily treated by the TATULAZR are blue-black tattoos. Patients with previously treated tattoos may be candidates for the TATULAZR. Tattoos that have not been effectively removed by other treatments may respond well to TATULAZR therapy, unless prior treatment caused excessive scarring or skin damage.

How it works

The TATULAZR is a laser that produces an intense bust of laser light that is optimized to treat tattoos while minimally affecting the surrounding healthy tissue. The system creates a thermal effect on tattoo pigment in the skin which breaks the pigment granules into much smaller particles which are then cleared by natural body processes. The TATULAZR delivers brief pulses of energy rather than a continuous wave, so the tissue has time to cool off. As a result, heat is not absorbed by adjacent cells, so skin is not damaged.

Advantages

Unlike other methods of tattoo removal treatments, the Candela TATULAZR greatly reduces the potential for scarring or changes in skin texture.

Treatment Length

As with any medical procedure, treatment time depends on a variety of factors. In general, treatment of tattoos depends on age, location and depth of the tattoo, as well as on the composition of the pigments used. In general, treatments of most tattoos requires four to six treatments over a 12-18 month period. Patients will experience some temporary discoloration or reddening of the skin at or around the treatment site. Some patients may also experience a temporary lightening of the skin for a few months following treatment. This will typically heal to normal color. It is important to follow the recommendations given for post-treatment skin care.

What it feels like

Treatment cosists of placing a laser wand against the surface of the skin and activating the laser one pulse at a time. As many patients have described it, each pulse feels like the snapping of a rubber band against the skin.

How does the Candela TATULAZR work?

The Candela TATULAZR produces an intense but gentle burst of light that selectively fragments and removes the tattoo pigment without damaging the surrounding tissue. After laser treatment the surrounding tissue is left intact and normal pigmentation occurs.

Are there other ways to remove my tattoo?

Some patients have tried to have their tattoos removed by surgery, dermabrasion, salabrasion or chemical peels. Other lasers such as the Ruby Laser, Argon Laser, Nd Yag Laser, and CO2 Laser have also been used to remove tattoos. These procedures often result in scarring of leave an unsatisfactory result.

Previous skin damage caused by other treatment methods will still be present after treatment with the Candela TATULAZR.

Are there any reasons that would not make me a candidate for TATULAZR therapy?

  1. If you have a photosensitivity to light in the 755 nm wavelength region.
  2. If there is a personal or family history of skin cancer such as melanoma.
  3. If you have had seizure disorders that are triggered by light.
  4. If you are taking an medication for which infrared light is a contraindication.


What should I expect from this laser treatment?

Treatment with the TATULAZR consists of multiple treatments. These treatments occur on a average of every six to eight weeks and can take a period of 1-2 years.

The type of tattoo you have will determine the number of treatments you will need. For example, an amateur tattoo may only require 1-4 treatments, where as a professional tattoo may require as many as 6-8 treatments.

Depending on the age, type, and color of the tattoo complete clearing may not be possible.

Are there any adverse effects?

With any laser therapy there is a chance for adverse effects. The following are adverse effects that may occur with the Candela TATULAZR:

  1. The area treated may hypopigment, or appear lighter. Normal skin color usually returns within 6 months after laser therapy.
  2. Scarring is a risk with the use of any laser. The Candela TATULAZR has no reported incidence of scarring to date. Post treatment skin care instructions, if not followed correctly, can increase the chance of scarring.


Will the laser treatment hurt?

The laser will produce some discomfort. The feeling of a laser pulse has been described as being snapped by a rubber band, a mosquito bite or a slight stinging sensation. Most patients have tolerated the laser procedure without any need for anesthesia. If you require some anesthesia, the doctor will discuss types of anesthesia that can be used.

How long will the treatment last?

The duration of your laser treatment depends on many factors. The size of your tattoo will determine if the entire tattoo can be treated in one session, or the tattoo has to be divided into sections for treatment. The physician may schedule specific time allotments for laser therapy (i.e. 15-30 minute sessions). Finally, how you tolerate the laser treatment will determine the length of time the treatment will occur.

Documentation of your laser treatment.

The size, location and color of the tattoo is recorded in your chart.

The physician will take photographs before and after laser treatments. These photographs will help you see the progress that is being made to clear your tattoo. If these photographs are to be used for education purposes you will be asked to sign a form to allow the physician to utilize your photographs for that purpose.

Safety required during laser treatments

The laser produces a very bright beam of light. Everyone in the treatment room must wear protective eyewear during the treatment.

You may wear the protective goggles or glasses that will permit you to watch the procedure if you wish. A gauze sponge placed over your eyes and secured with tape or the patient protective goggles that look like the "sunnies" used in tanning booths may also be used to protect your eyes.

When the laser is used to treat around areas containing hair, the hair may be shaved or moistened with water, to prevent the hair from being singed. The singed hair will re-grow.

Please print this form and mail this to:

Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives
1615 California Suite 712
Denver, Colorado 80202