Published: February 01, 2008 10:55 am            

NOTHINGS PERMANENT: Lockport laser center removes tattoos, reduces wrinkles

By Anne Calos — When Karen Trinkwalder got a tattoo on the back of her neck six years ago, she thought it was a great idea. However, now the tattoo doesn’t quite fit her lifestyle.

The once brightly colored sun is now just a shadow of its former self, thanks to laser therapy.

Dr. Christopher Beney, a Lockport internist/pediatrician, opened the Cosmetic Laser Center of Western New York three years ago to help people like Trinkwalder, as well as those suffering from other conditions such as acne, unwanted hair and unsightly veins.

“I started the practice because I wanted people to feel better about themselves, and I really saw a need for this type of service,” Beney said. “There is little or no ‘down time’ with a laser, and the procedures are very safe and pain-free. Technology has advanced so much over the past five or six years.”

Beney does almost all the procedures himself, with his wife, Amy, helping out with hair removal.

“I think it’s important that a physician do the procedures, because there is really no licensing or certification requirements,” Beney said.

When a patient goes to the center, which is located in Beney’s medical office at 77 Elizabeth Drive, they can consult with him about their problem and look at a variety of “before” and “after” pictures. The consultation is free, and if Beney feels the laser won’t be effective, he tells the patient up front.

“The laser is really great for acne and acne scarring. People can see a difference after the first treatment. Vein removal is also great, because people can literally see their veins disappear right before their eyes,” Beney said.

Some veins that can’t be removed with laser are those that are raised up above the skin.

While many procedures are virtually pain-free and can be completed with a treatment or two, tattoos are a little different. They can take several treatments, depending on the colors used and how dark the tattoo is. Tattoo removal might sting a bit, too.

“It feels like a rubber band snap, but it doesn’t really hurt,” Trinkwalder said while undergoing her fifth laser treatment.

Beney said he thinks Trinkwalder will only require one more treatment before her tattoo is virtually non-existent.

“The number of treatments depends on the coloring of the tattoo. Colors like yellow and green are more difficult because they are closer to the skin pigment so the laser doesn’t recognize them,” Beney said.

Laser treatments are also offered for rosecea, to eliminate age spots, sun spots and freckles, to remove fine facial wrinkles and to reduce pore size.The office is open for appointments Monday through Saturday and can be reached by calling 478-0225.

Contact Anne Calos at 439-9222, ext. 6239.

        

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