Phil is a nice enough guy, but DO NOT USE THIS TATTOO REMOVAL service. No medical professional would recommend this tattoo removal technique, and the damaging side effects are understated by Phil. The skin damage is much more severe than traditional laser. I have a mix of deep and superficial second degree burns, and I am waiting to see how badly I will be permanently scarred from this. Hopefully I won't. The only other review I found on these services (via ramstein underground) said the same. While there is a risk with any tattoo removal service, here is what you should know if you are still considering IPL at Phil-Cosmetics.
1. IPL is inappropriate for tattoo removal. It does not work faster, or more aggressively than a Q-Switch laser. I wish I knew this before the appointment. A simple google search will show you a number of expert opinions on IPL for tattoo removal:
"IPL for tattoo removal doesn't work because the the tattoo will absorb some of the light by the tattoo, but your skin is absorbing light wavelengths that causes burns, blisters, and scarring is common. The IPL doesn't focus on one wavelength (like q-switched tattoo removal) therefor your skin will damage from other wavelengths.
There may be some slight fading of a tattoo. However, the risks usually do not outweigh the benefits (if any) of IPL for tattoo removal."
http://www.dermbids.com/ipl-tattoo-removal-why-it-doesnt-work/
Plenty of physician opinions on Real Self corroborate with the above quote.
Basically, the tattoo fading is a side effect of the severe IPL burn. The IPL is NOT targeting the tattoo. You would be better of surgically removing a tattoo if you can. The scarring would actually look better.
2. Phil has no progress pictures of previous clients, which should be a red flag. He was gracious enough to allow me to meet another one of his clients, but the progress on her tattoo removal did not look good and the skin around it appeared to be severely traumatized. She informed me that she did not realize this was not the standard tattoo removal technique. She wasn't even aware that IPL is not a form of laser removal. I think Phil has an obligation to make the difference clear to clients seeking removal.
3. The damaging effects of IPL were seriously underemphasized. If you choose this method, understand that the skin damage you are left with will most likely be less desirable than the tattoo itself. While your skin color does play a role in how the light works and how the skin heals (as Phil emphasizes quite a bit), IPL tattoo removal is damaging to ALL skin types because the tool/method isn't meant for this procedure.
Basically, proceed at your own risk. read more
