Overview

ClearWaves Medical Laser Group is a physician-led medical spa specializing in laser tattoo removal, CoolSculpting, and acne treatments in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Founded in 1994 and located at 4515 Isleta Boulevard SW, the practice operates under Dr. Lauren Chavez, President/CEO and Medical Director, with nearly three decades of focused expertise in laser aesthetics and over 20 years of tattoo removal experience.

About the Clinic

Established on February 8, 1994, ClearWaves Medical Laser Group has been serving New Mexico for 31 years, making it one of the longest-operating specialized laser practices in the region. Dr. Lauren Chavez serves as President/CEO, Medical Director, and is always onsite during treatments, providing physician oversight that distinguishes ClearWaves from non-medical aesthetic providers. The practice holds BBB A+ rating and is licensed by the New Mexico Medical Board (license #98-29, valid through July 1, 2026). ClearWaves focuses on excellence in a few specialized services—tattoo removal, fat reduction (both surgical and non-surgical), and acne treatments—rather than offering dozens of procedures, a philosophy captured in their motto: “We choose to be great at a few things – rather than mediocre at many.” The experienced staff has performed thousands of laser tattoo treatments over the past 10+ years utilizing what they describe as “the best Q-switched laser available on the market.” Services encompass laser tattoo removal and permanent makeup removal, CoolSculpting (FDA-cleared non-invasive fat reduction), laser and medical acne treatments, laser skin rejuvenation, and spider vein treatments. The practice provides free consultations, ensuring clients receive tailored solutions for their specific needs without financial barriers to expert advice. ClearWaves accepts credit cards, operates by appointment, offers free Wi-Fi, provides private lot parking, and bike parking. The team emphasizes 24/7 availability for any treatment-related problems or concerns, providing exceptional accessibility that creates confidence among clients. Text communication is available, allowing clients to coordinate appointments and ask questions via their preferred method. The practice’s longevity (over three decades) demonstrates both business stability and community trust, with patients traveling from all over New Mexico—some driving three-hour round trips—to access ClearWaves’ superior technology and caring staff. Office Manager Iliana Larios assists with customer coordination alongside Dr. Chavez.

What Clients Are Saying

Clients describe being “absolutely delighted with ClearWaves,” with Dr. Chavez providing “very effective treatment” that progresses “even faster than I expected,” leading reviewers to state they “know that I’m in the best hands with Dr. Chavez.” Multiple clients emphasize feeling “lucky to have such cutting-edge technology in Albuquerque,” appreciating that everyone at the practice “is always willing to explain everything in great detail, and with lots of patience.” The office environment receives consistent praise as “very friendly,” with staff who “obviously love what they do” and “are great at it,” prompting clients to say they’ve “happily recommended ClearWaves to my friends and coworkers and will continue to recommend them as the very best.” First-time treatment clients report “the best experience anyone can have,” with staff making them “feel very comfortable” in an “office [that] is super clean very professional,” with some saying they “wouldn’t go anywhere else” and calling it “highly recommended so worth the money.” Remarkable results surprise many clients, with one reporting “first treatment took off 60% of my tattoo.” Clients appreciate the “professional, friendly and helpful” staff, seeing “drastic results” after just four sessions, with treatments described as “quick and painless” for smaller tattoos. The practice’s COVID-19 safety protocols earned specific recognition for “doing everything in their power to making sure their clients feel safe and secure while getting treatment at their facility.” Scheduling receives praise as “quick and easy,” with staff going “above and beyond to work with” clients’ schedules. One client who committed to a three-hour round trip for each appointment states it was “absolutely worth it,” recommending ClearWaves “for tattoo removal” enthusiastically, noting after the final treatment “it was hard to see where to point the laser because it is almost completely gone.” Dr. Chavez receives personal recognition as “warm and welcoming,” with text communication described as “amazing” for convenience. Clients with challenging tattoos—including coverup work with “layers and layers of ink”—report ClearWaves “were able to treat the area I wanted without affecting the surrounding tattoos,” seeing “incredible results after just one treatment” that “keeps progressing every time I go,” with results that “far surpassed my expectations.” Dr. Chavez’s email responsiveness earns appreciation, “always responds within a timely manner which makes me feel like they really care.” The practice’s commitment to greeting clients “with smiles, excitement and the attitude to get things done” while answering “all my questions and explaining them to the fullest” creates exceptional experiences that lead clients to state they’re “thrilled to death” with results and send friends to ClearWaves “over the years.”

Laser Type Used

Q-Switched Laser SystemQ-switched lasers represent the industry standard for professional tattoo removal, utilizing rapid, high-energy pulses to thermo-acoustically break down tattoo ink particles into minute fragments. These advanced laser systems emit ultra-short pulses of light (measured in nanoseconds) at specific wavelengths that target tattoo pigments while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue. The ‘Q-switched’ designation refers to the quality-switching technique that allows the laser to store energy and release it in extremely brief, powerful bursts that create photoacoustic effects to shatter ink particles. Common Q-switched laser types include Nd:YAG lasers (1064nm for darker inks, 532nm for lighter colors), Ruby lasers (694nm), and Alexandrite lasers (755nm), with wavelength selection depending on ink colors and skin type. Once fragmented by the laser energy, the microscopic ink particles are naturally absorbed and eliminated by the body’s lymphatic system over several weeks, with the process typically requiring multiple treatment sessions spaced 4-8 weeks apart for optimal clearance results.

Business Hours

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Unique Features

ClearWaves’ 31-year history since 1994 provides extraordinary depth of experience rarely found in aesthetic laser practices, with this longevity demonstrating consistent quality that has earned community trust across multiple decades and technology generations. The physician-led model with Dr. Lauren Chavez always onsite as President/CEO and Medical Director ensures medical expertise oversees every treatment, providing safety and clinical judgment that non-physician practices cannot match. The BBB A+ rating and active New Mexico Medical Board licensing (license #98-29) demonstrate commitment to ethical business practices and regulatory compliance. The focused service philosophy—choosing “to be great at a few things – rather than mediocre at many”—concentrates expertise specifically on tattoo removal, fat reduction, and acne rather than diluting staff knowledge across dozens of procedures, potentially improving outcomes in these specialties. The free consultation policy removes financial barriers to expert assessment, allowing prospective clients to receive professional guidance without commitment. The 24/7 availability for treatment-related problems or concerns provides exceptional accessibility, creating confidence that issues will be addressed promptly rather than requiring clients to wait for business hours. Text communication capability accommodates clients who prefer messaging over phone calls. The practice’s reputation draws patients from all over New Mexico, with some traveling three-hour round trips for each appointment—demonstrating that superior technology and care justify significant travel burden. The first-treatment results (one client reporting 60% removal in first session) suggest powerful laser systems and expert technique. Dr. Chavez’s email responsiveness creates personalized communication that makes clients feel genuinely cared for rather than processed through a clinic. The ability to treat complex coverup tattoos with “layers and layers of ink” while protecting surrounding tattoos demonstrates precision and expertise in selective treatment. The affordable pricing compared to other New Mexico providers makes quality treatment accessible to broader demographics. The clean, professional office environment with free Wi-Fi, private parking, and wheelchair accessibility creates welcoming, convenient experiences that respect clients’ comfort and diverse needs.