Dr. Tattoff? Los Angeles Tattoo Removal

Has anyone on these boards ever been to Dr. Tattoff? They advertise laser tattoo removal at a really reasonable rate...way less than I've seen before. I've been wanting to get a name removed from my neck for about three years now...I want to go into the military, and you can't have any visible tattoos any more. I've seen some people who had tattoos removed a few years ago and the results were terrible. But I don't know how they had them done. I have a self made tatt that I'll probably just get covered, but it would be nice to lighten it a little first. thanks for any advice.

I dont have any personal experiance, but have talked to an artist who did talk to him. It doesnt seem like he knows too much about tattooing and inks, sorry to say. Dunno who to recommend, though, its still pretty new and not in the hands of professional tattoo artists yet... A good coverup artist can do wonders for old tattoos, though... what were you thinking of covering it up with?

Dr Meyers is a recommended laser tattoo removal guy. His new place is in n scottsdale AZ. good luck!

Gabe, Thanks for the reply. I can't cover the one on my neck...it's gotta be GONE or else they won't let me into the military. I'm gonna check this Tattoff place out. AZ is too damn far. I live in Santa Monica, CA. Their website looks like they do pretty good work, but I guess it depends. I don't care if they know much about tattoos...I want them to know about LASERS. The question is gonna come down to whether it's a real doctor, or just some dude with a laser. As for the coverup. I'm not sure what I want yet...probably a bio-mech.

You do care wether they are knowledgeable about tattoos, thats what they are removing. A doctor with a laser wont do half the job that a doctor who knows all about tattoos and different inks. Knowing lasers is only half the battle, after all. Biomech coverup sounds great. Id go to Ethan Morgan or Tom Berg at So Cal Tattoos. Just talked to another laser guy in LA this morning, Ill post their info as soon as I get it. good luck

Hi, I was directed to this forum by Gabe. I work for Dr. Tattoff - we have an ugly tattoo contest every month and when I found his site badtattoos.com, I thought it would be a good place to exchange links with. Little did I know that our ears must have been burning from this recent discussion on his other website! Gabe asked me to post here, so here we go. neone, you really DO want to find a place that is knowledgeable. There are a lot of "spa" type clinics that use their lasers for anything and everything. Tattoo removal isn't brain surgery, but it does require in depth knowledge of dermatology and of the types of inks that are out there. Let me give you an example: "Cosmetic ink" is used to apply permanent make-up: eyebrows, lip liner, etc. It's a tattoo like any other, right? Wrong. Cosmetic ink reacts differently to the laser than standard tattoo ink, - the flesh tones/reds, peaches, browns, etc. have a nasty tendancy to turn black permenantly after being treated with a laser. NOT COOL. What does that mean for you? Well, some tattoo artists use cosmetic ink in normal tattoos. It's impossible to tell just by looking at the ink, but it sure is worth knowing about so that you can do a small test spot on suspicious colors before turning the red heart on your chest black forever. There are also a lot of different lasers out there. We see people all the time who come to us after they got treated with an IPL laser, and have serious scarring as a result. Even older lasers that were meant for tattoo removal should be given a wide berth. Lasers aren't cheap, so clearly, a lot of places aren't going to want to replace their technology at the drop of the hat. Older ruby and alexandrite lasers had "hot spots" where the laser beam was more intense. The result was a unique scar pattern that left a kind of "pebbled" skin surface. New lasers don't do that. Give me a call if you want to set up a consultation with one of our doctors (Dr.TATTOFF is a company name, not an actual doctor). Our consults are free. We see a lot of guys hoping to get into the military - so we understand your situation. Know that the process isn't a one-stop fix...it's going to take a few months. We do our best to stay up to date with trends in the body art world...we go to the conventions (most recently InkSlingers and the Pomona Expo), and several of our employees have ink. We're not your average doctor's office, and that's ok with us. For more information, check out our website www.drtattoff.com, or email me directly. Sorry for the long-winded post. Hope this helps. Noah

i go to dr. tattoff. they're wonderful! far less expensive than other places and VERY clean and professional. financing is an option (with very high interest, of course), but they also do packages.... the more sessions you buy at a time the more you save. USE THE NUMBING CREAM!

I have done a lot of shopping around and have concluded that the best place BY FAR is Tattoo MD. At Dr Tattoff's office there is not even a REAL doctor on site, let alone performing the laser treatments! Sure they look clean and professional but who would want some one who is not even a doctor coming near them with a laser?! NOT ME. Tattoo MD DOES have a REAL doctor performing the procedures! They are awesome, everyone at Tattoo MD is really friendly. Their prices were also the best that I found (less than Dr. Tattoff even). The doctor at Tattoo MD has a lot of experience doing tattoo removal, he knows a lot about tattoos and the inks used, so when I went in there, ALL of my questions were answered and I felt really comfortable with him. I have recommended several people to Tattoo MD. If you need to get a Tattoo removed, definitely call Tattoo MD (310) 312-1231

I had someone very good laser me and they were not doctors. Jack Morton from southern Illinois. Fantastic photos are on the way.

call tattoo shops,and ask them if they know any good places to go.chances are some of the tattooers had some laser work done.and check out www.langotattoo.com he does some nice cover-up work.

I'd like to respond to the above posting regarding the Medical Director of Dr. TATTOFF. I handle all of the compliance and administration for the doctors at Dr. TATTOFF-- all of whom practice Dermatology. They are on site either performing laser tattoo removal or -- like most other clinics-- supervising the RN. Our laser RN has been performing laser tattoo removal for 6 years- which in this industry is a very long time. In fact, she has trained hundreds of doctors how to perform the procedure and has treated literally thousands of tattoos. It is clear that the post above is some sort of twisted and frankly immature sales pitch for another clinic.. which in fact just opened 3 months ago. If anyone has any questions about the professionalism or track record of our clinic or doctors, they can call me directly on my office line: 310-276-1571. To clarify how we work: Patients who visit Dr. TATTOFF are able to receive a complimentary consultation with the doctor directly. All of the doctors in our practice have published research on and actually perform laser tattoo removal. No matter what tattoo removal doctor you choose, always make sure you are seeing doctors who practice dermatology attending physicians or internal medicine doctors who moonlight. As far as our relationships with people who know-- tattoo artists-- we work with many tattoo studios LA and Orange County-you've probably seen us at one or more of the recent tattoo trade shows. We're always happy to provide you with references (other tattoo artists we have treated) who can tell you more about the quality of our work. Call Camron at our office- he'll give you a list of reputable inkslingers who we have treated and who recommend their clients to us. Or stop in yourself. And finally, I have provided all of my contact info here and would ask that BettyBoop94 get in touch with me. I'm very interested in where you may have gotten misleading information about the medical staff of Dr. TATTOFF.

Too all those people who thank they know about Laser tattoo editing and removal, Theres more to this whole thing than just trying to remove a tattoo frist you have to understand skin and the way the skin well react to the treatment care for the skin is of the utmost. Most tattoo removal places don't even understand the laser theres alot to know about a q-yag like how to make it really do its job. I spent years getting ripoff from all these so called tattoo removal people they just keep milking you for everthing you got. So this is the 411 Tattooing is layering pigment into the skin lasering is a delayering of the pigment and just so eveyone understands this the laser does not remove the pigment the body does all of that the laser helps to speed up the rejection of pigment form your body thats why some do good and others are slower to see a reaction but you should see somthing happen from the frist treatment. Remember that the body has to reject the pigment.

www.skinlasercenter.com came across this site..Jesse James wen't to this guy..

I've had two sessions at Dr. Tattoff and the results so far have been great. I am african american so the chances of me scarring are greater than on white skin. So far I have had no scarring and the tatoo is significantly lighter. I can't wait to go back because at this rate the tattoo will be gone by the forth session.

I have been going to Dr. Popkow at http://www.skinlasercenter.com/ for 2 years now to remove a black tribal armband. I have gone 9 times now and the thing is only halfway gone I'd say. His prices are reasonable in comparison to Dr. Tattoff and other places in Los Angeles but his clinic is messy and not very clean. The problem is that now after about 5-6 sessions, the ink started "draining" down into my arm so it looks like I have a blue shadow or giant bruise all under the tattoo, plus with it being half gone and all spotty, it looks like a gang tattoo, its awful. The last 4 sessions NOTHING has happened, it has scabbed a little bit, but the laser produces tiny dots of light that will bleed and scab and the ink is supposed to come out that way. Instead, my ink is being broken up under my skin and draining down my arm inside my skin, my body is not absorbing the ink. Nobody knows why, Dr. Popkow doesn't know and the women I went to at Dr. Tattoff doesn't know. The people at Dr. Tattoff said they wouldn't treat it, they claim they have a bad tattoo removal contest? Well, my once beautiful, custom designed tattoo that I drove several hours to one of the best tattoo places in the world in the early 90's to get, is now a horrible mess and I look like trash and cannot wear tank tops and they wouldn't treat me. It is embarrassing and I have gone thru my entire savings account trying to get it removed. While I am at it--YES, it really hurts even with the numbling cream which you have to apply to the spot for at least an hour or so and wrap with saran wrap before the treatment. Tattoo removal only seems to work well with small and very light tattoos. Large areas of solid color are VERY hard to remove, like my tattoo, and who knows if they really come off. I have seen other people who are mid treatment and theirs were discolored and also looked awful too. 4-6 treatments is really an understatement, the other people I have spoken to who are mid treatment had gone about 12 times and still had a way to go. It really it an arduous process and probably only a good solution for names, light tattoos and small ones. My experience has been kinda bad and very, very expensive. The tattoo cost $200 to get put on, I have spent around $1000 so far getting it removed and its only half gone, if that.

I have a large color tattoo that Im getting lasered by Jack Morton. After 2 treatments all the black and grey is almost completely gone, and the color has lightened by half. 2 more and we should be good to go.

doesnt guy atchison do them as well now? i believe i read his interview in a mag a few months ago. i may be wrong on that though but im pretty sure it was him.

I swear I posted this already............Gabe,does your guy charge by the hour or area to be treated? Also,how long should you wait after getting a tattoo to lighten up some areas?

Hey, I dont think guy actually is lasering, but working with Jack (the fellah coming to Off the Map). He might laser, though. Jack charges by the session, usually between $100 and $400 a whack. dunno how long after something is tattooed but I imagine if the skin is healed and healthy its ok. Im very happy with what I got lasered, very excited to have him coming! I have quite a few tattoos that need fixing.

Guy does not laser he is a tattoo artist but we both work hand in hand to help this biz move forward Guy has and is a very big help in the laser editing and removal porcess. I know and understand pigments. I have the inside scoop on pigments. There are only 2 types of pigment that take time to remove anything other I will take out np.

ah word thanks for the correction on guy! like i said it had been awhile since i read that zine.

WE have heard nothing but GREAT stuff about Jack and Rethink Your Ink....good prices and much more importantly ...He knows his stuff!!!

Dr Tattoff in Irvine is treating me and I've had pretty good results after 6 sessions. The only thing is that I still probably have a ways to go. I would say I'm 1/2 way there... my tattoo had only black and blue ink. I hope it goes away fully.

Im actually a patient at Dr. Tattoff and I've done abou 15 treatments. my tattoo isen't large at all. It's just faded, but nothing seems to be disappearing. Im not very happy with the results and money i've spend. They've been telling me "couple more to go", but it seems that I keep on buying more packages. After I am done with my packages, I will NOT return to Dr. Tattoff, I will keep on researching to find a better Laser removal place!

Would like to see it so I can help you please send photo's so I can see ([email removed]). Carson Hill had 7 treatments by Dr Tattoff just to do a cover up It look like he had maybe one treatment done was not good. I lasered a Guy from Chi-town we changed his sleeve a whole sleeve in 8 treatments it's on my myspace.I want ppl to understand something I got into tattoo removal to give back to the world of tattooing it has been good to me and I wanted to do something good for the biz and help ppl who need to make a change in there life most of us dont have the kind of money these ppl want from us to or time to give.

Who would believe anything one company says about another? This whole topic looks like BS. I would advise to schedule a free consultation and make the decision for yourself [...and to run away screaming from the advice here]

I would check out Jack from rethinkyourink.com he has treated me and I have had *awesome* results. I saw Carsons arm and it was lame until Jack went after it. Jack will be coming to New England at least twice this year, I would book time with him. I am, in fact.

"neone, you really DO want to find a place that is knowledgeable. There are a lot of "spa" type clinics that use their lasers for anything and everything. Tattoo removal isn't brain surgery, but it does require in depth knowledge of dermatology and of the types of inks that are out there. Let me give you an example: "Cosmetic ink" is used to apply permanent make-up: eyebrows, lip liner, etc. It's a tattoo like any other, right? Wrong. Cosmetic ink reacts differently to the laser than standard tattoo ink, - the flesh tones/reds, peaches, browns, etc. have a nasty tendancy to turn black permenantly after being treated with a laser. NOT COOL. " The reality is any color pigment (not ink) cut with titanium oxide which is the color white. Very common and any experienced laser technician will know what lasers work with what colors. Wrong laser + wrong color can turn black. Ex. Any pink has white in it. Any peach, Any flesh tone, Any sky blue etc. Most eyebrow colors do not have white in them. Yellow yes. http://www.janeadler.com

I don't know about any of the other places listed in this thread, but I went to Dr. Tattoff for laser tattoo removal and had great results. I had a lot of questions before I went in so I called up and then they told me to go to there website which is really informative - maybe a little simple, but really informative anyway. I just needed old ink lightened for a coverup, so I didn't have to get it completely gone. It was light enough after four treatments, which took place about every month and a half over six months. I actually went into one of those Spa places first because I was going to have them lighten my tattoo, but then the artist that's doing my new tattoo said to go to Dr. Tattoff instead. He said that he used to send people all over because he didn't know a good place but that now he only sends people to Dr. Tattoff. So take that for what it's worth.

Yay, I've always wanted a tattoo removed by Will Curby of the "Big Brother" reality show. Dr. Tattoff can kiss my ass.

I'm going to Dr. Tattoff now. I've had 2 laser tattoo removal treatments and its looking pretty good. I like them because they're not trying to sell me on other crap I don't need. Also, they didn't try to trick me to come in first to see how much it was going to cost. They just sent me to this page on their website: www.drtattoff.com/prices That tells exactly what each treatment costs depending on the size of your tattoo. It also costs less if you buy a few treatments at one time. I bought 7 so I could save money, but you can just pay for one at a time too.

This is a huge passion of mine. As a cosmetic tattoo artist now for 16 years and a vast knowledge of traditional tattooing, I am growing too. I have added laser tattoo removal to my skill set. Knowing tattoo colors, skin and lasers is so important. I hope to grow and learn all I can about removal working p/t at a laser center. Currently using; Gentlelase Plus and Palomar YAG. http://www.janeadler.com