Please welcome our newest dermatologists, Dr. Cory Pettit and Dr. Dan Flood, who joined COSC this year!

LASERS

Central Ohio Skin & Cancer is home to the premier laser center in the Columbus area, the Central Ohio Skin Laser Center.

Central Ohio Skin Laser Center was founded by Dr. Richard Smialek in 1990 and has been at the forefront of laser treatments for the past 3 decades.

We offer a variety of lasers for:

  • Tattoo removal
  • Hair removal
  • Photofacials
  • Sun damage and age spots such as seborrheic keratosis, freckles, lentigines
  • Rosacea
  • Blood vessels such as angiomas, port wine stains, telangectasias
  • Skin tightening
  • Skin Resurfacing
  • Cellulite treatment

To make an appointment or schedule a consultation, please call
614-538-1043 for Dr. Richard Smialek or
614.898.7546 to schedule with our other physicians

The laser treatments we offer include:

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The PicoClear laser is the most advanced tattoo removal laser on the market today and the only one of its kind in Columbus. It provides 4 wavelengths (most other lasers provide 2) and 2 to 15mm spot sizes. In addition to tattoos, the PicoClear can also remove brown spots.

  • The PicoClear generally will remove or significantly diminish a tattoo in half the number of treatments of a standard tattoo removal laser
  • Largest spot size (up to 15 mm) for improved speed and depth of removal
    Nanosecond and picosecond settings
  • 4 wavelengths: 532 nm KTP and 1064 nm Nd:Yag plus the additional 585 nm and 650 nm wavelengths to treat the most stubborn colors of royal and light blues and dark and light greens, yellows, and pinks.
  • Can improve the removal of tattoo colors that other pico and non-pico lasers have had trouble removing
  • 1064 wavelength is safe for all skin types (dark and light skin)
  • High powered Q switch laser—up to twice other systems

All laser treatments are performed at our WESTERVILLE OFFICE located in the Westerville Ohio Health Building, 300 Polaris Parkway, Ste. 3300, Westerville, OH 43082.

TATTOO REMOVAL: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHICH TATTOO REMOVAL LASER IS THE BEST?

The PicoClear laser offers the best technology on the market. It offers 2 nanosecond and 2 picosecond pulse width settings to treat various tattoo particle sizes as well as 4 wavelengths to target the largest array of tattoo colors.

HOW DOES LASER TATTOO REMOVAL WORK?

Every tattoo is different. Black and dark blue tattoos respond best to treatment, especially if it is an amateur, traumatic, or radiation tattoo (color is not as dense and is not placed as deep as professional tattoos). Light or royal blue, green, orange, yellow, purple, pink, and white are the most difficult colors to treat. Typically mores sessions are needed for these. Glittery or shimmering tattoos can not be treated. A tattoo on distal extremities like the hands and feet takes more sessions to remove than the same tattoo on the trunk. Older tattoos are easier to remove than newer tattoos since your body has already removed some of the pigment in older tattoos. The PicoClear laser will remove a tattoo generally in half the number of treatments of a standard tattoo removal laser. Removal can take between 3 and 12 treatments on average.

HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL IT TAKE?

Every tattoo is different. Black and dark blue tattoos respond best to treatment, especially if it is an amateur, traumatic, or radiation tattoo (color is not as dense and is not placed as deep as professional tattoos). Light or royal blue, green, orange, yellow, purple, pink, and white are the most difficult colors to treat. Typically mores sessions are needed for these. Glittery or shimmering tattoos can not be treated. A tattoo on distal extremities like the hands and feet takes more sessions to remove than the same tattoo on the trunk. Older tattoos are easier to remove than newer tattoos since your body has already removed some of the pigment in older tattoos. The PicoClear laser will remove a tattoo generally in half the number of treatments of a standard tattoo removal laser. Removal can take between 3 and 12 treatments on average.

HOW OFTEN ARE TREATMENTS PERFORMED?

Every 4 or more weeks.

DOES TATTOO REMOVAL HURT?

It is uncomfortable, but bearable. Some say it hurts more and some say less than getting the original tattoo. During the treatment, we use the Zimmer, which blows very cold air on the treatment area to decrease pain. Numbing creams can be prescribed and need to be applied in a thick layer and covered with saran wrap or Tegaderm one half hour before your appointment. Ice packs are used after the treatment.

WHAT CARE IS NEEDED AFTER THE TREATMENT?

The treated area is covered with petroleum jelly and Telfa gauze until completely healed. The treated area must be protected from the sun with a bandage or with a zinc containing sunscreen.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF LASER TATTOO REMOVAL?

The most common side effects are redness, swelling, tenderness, bruising, blistering, scab formation, lightening or darkening of the skin. If this occurs, continue treatment with petroleum jelly or Aquaphor and a bandage until completely healed. Never pick a scab as this may lead to scarring. Pre-existing scarring may have occurred from tattoo application which is then more easily seen after the tattoo is removed. The removal process could also leave a scar, but this uncommon with proper laser removal.

CAN I HAVE ONLY PART OF MY TATTOO REMOVED?

Yes, we can remove the parts of a tattoo that you do not want. We can partially remove a tattoo in preparation for a touch-up or re-do.

HOW MUCH DOES LASER TATTOO REMOVAL COST?

Your doctor can give you an exact cost. We charge $200 for the first square inch and $50 for each additional square inch each treatment.

WHO PERFORMS TATTOO LASER REMOVAL AT CENTRAL OHIO SKIN AND CANCER?

All of our physicians are trained in tattoo removal. Our laser division is headed by Dr. Richard Smialek, board- certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Smialek has been with COSC since 2010, and has been a sub-specialist in laser surgery for over twenty years.

  • You can schedule directly with Dr. Smialek at 614-538-1043.
  • To schedule with Dr. Jennifer Nash call 614-898-7546 ext. 747. Her nurse will return your call.
  • To schedule with any of our other physicians, please call 614-898-7546 for a consultation appointment.

Before and After Photographs

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Alma PicoClear ClearLift Fractional HP

The PicoClear ClearLift Fractional HP is a 1064 nm non-ablative laser treatment that helps to tighten the skin. The ClearLift helps to improve fine lines, wrinkles and skin laxity. There is very little to no downtime. Areas such as the face, neck, chest, knees, and arms can be treated. Several treatments are needed, spaced 3-4 weeks apart. This laser may also be used to improve melasma.

Alma PicoClear Pigmented Lesion Removal

The PicoClear 532 nm and 1064 nm can also be used to remove or lighten dark spots such as lentigines and seborrheic keratoses (wisdom and age spots).

Alma Harmony LHR (Laser Hair Reduction)

The LHR intense pulsed light (IPL) is used for laser hair reduction. A wavelength range of 780-950 nm and Speed AFT technology with a cooling tip is used to reduce hair. This new handpiece is much more comfortable than the previous handpieces. Common areas treated include face, axilla, bikini, legs, back, and chest. Dark hair is the best target for any hair removal laser. Lasers will not remove gray or blonde hair. Several treatments are needed, spaced every 4 weeks.

Alma Harmony SVL/dyeVL

The SVL/dye-VL is an intense pulse light (IPL) treatment with wavelengths of 500-600 nm, Speed AFT technology, and a cooling tip that targets red and brown pigment. It is used to treat rosacea, blood vessels, angiomas, sun spots (lentigines), port wine stains, vascular birth marks, melasma, post-inflammatory discoloration of traumatic scars and acne scars, and discoloration from sun damage. As a photofacial, it is also used for skin rejuvenation and can build collagen.

Alma Harmony Pixel

The Pixel laser is a fractionated ablative 2940 nm Erbium:Yag laser used to resurface the skin to help with fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars and pore size. Pigmentation can be improved. There is down-time that can typically range from a few days to over a week. Aquaphor and sunscreen are used post treatment during the healing phase.

Alma Harmony LP Nd:Yag (Long Pulsed Nd:Yag)

The long pulsed 1064 nm Nd:Yag is very effective at treating long ropey blood vessels on the face, angiomas (small, red, hereditary bumps), enlarged oil glands, and leg spider veins.

Alma Harmony Q-switched Nd:Yag

The Q-switched Nd:Yag is used to remove lentigines and seborrheic keratoses (sun, liver, wisdom spots) and tattoos.

Alma Harmony 540 nm

The Alma 540 IPL (intense pulsed light) primarily targets red pigment and is therefore used to treat rosacea, dilated blood vessels, discolored acne scars, and discoloration from sun damage. As a photofacial, it is also used for skin rejuvenation and can build collagen.

Alma Harmony 570 nm

The Alma 570 IPL (intense pulsed light) primarily targets brown pigment and is therefore used to treat sun/ liver spots (lentigines), melasma, and discoloration from sun damage. As a photofacial, it is also used for skin rejuvenation and can build collagen.

Viora Reaction

Reaction is a bi-polar multi-RF (radiofrequency) device that features vacuum therapy to improve the appearance of cellulite. A full face treatment can help to tighten the skin.