How does Laser treatment work on tattoos?

Our laser produces a very high power in quick pulses. The light energy produced tends to pass through normally pigmented skin and is absorbed by the tattoo particles which are     evacuated from the body through normal immune response. As the ink particles are removed, the tattoo begins to fade.

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Is the tattoo removal laser dangerous?

Tattoo removal lasers are very safe for use when used by a trained laser operator with proper safety equipment (goggles to protect the eyes).

The radiation emitted by a tattoo removal laser is non-ionizing and carries no risk of cancer or other abnormal cell growth. The procedure is non-surgical, and non-invasive.

Does it hurt?

Laser will cause some discomfort and it is usual to experience a small amount of pain in the area afterwards. The laser pulses have been likened to having your skin ‘pinged’ with an elastic band. This is usually tolerated by most people without any anaesthetic.

However, some areas are more sensitive than others, especially around the ankles or the shoulder blade.

Fortunately, the discomfort does decrease as treatment progresses and the tattoo ink fades. Most people will be able to tolerate the treatment but local anaesthetic cream can be used if required.

Will the Laser Treatment leave a scar?

Not normally, It is very unusual to develop any scarring but possible, especially with poor aftercare (there is a reported 5% chance of scarring following tattoo removal treatments) The low pulse width of our laser reduces the risk of scarring.

How long does the treatment take?

Usually between 5 to 30 minuets, longer sessions could cause too much skin trauma so are not recommended. Larger      tattoos need to be treated in several separate sittings.       Depending on the tattoo and the result required (removal or cover up) up to 12 or more sessions may be required.       Treatment sessions are minimum of 6 to 8 weeks apart.

What happens immediately after treatment?

Straight after treatment the area will feel hot and the skin will form small white ‘blisters’. These are water vapour spots created by the intense hear under the skin, and might be flat or slightly raised. This is a good sign that the treatment is working. These white spots start to fade quickly and the remaining ink will start to show through.

What are the other possible side effects?

Most side effects of laser procedures are temporary. Generally few are to be expected.

Normally symptoms will subside within a week and may    include:  

Localised Swelling and Redness— The most common side effects, could feel similar to sunburn for a day or two.

Blistering— Don’t worry when blistering occurs, this is part of the normal healing process and the skin will heal nicely afterwards as long as you do not pick and scratch the scab.

Infection— There is always a risk of infection to the area after treatment. A good level of hygiene is important.

Scabbing— If you do experience blistering and/or bleeding. When the scab forms it is very important not to pick or scratch as this could cause scarring and impair further      treatments.

Hypopigmentation— Loss of skin colour may occur, but, normal skin tone should return within 6—12 months, very occasionally the Hypopigmentation effect can be permanent or pigment will return in patches. Increased risk after multiple treatments and on darker skin types.

Hyperpigmentation— An abundance of colour in the skin at the treatment area. More common in darker skin types and clients with fresh tans. Usually a temporary effect that responds to topical bleaching therapy and resolves over time.

Sunburn— A risk that follows treatment. It is important that you keep the area covered in a minimum factor 25 sun cream at all times then the area is not covered by clothing or a sterile bandage.

Lack of complete pigment removal— Some colours cannot be treated, traces (or ghosting) of pigment may remain.

Slight pin-prick bleeding or weeping— This is normal and nothing to worry about.

Allergic Reaction— A possible development  and allergic reaction to the tattoo dye as it is released in your system.

Detailed written aftercare instructions will be provided at your consultation— PLEASE follow them to the letter and do not listen to friends who inevitably will have well intentioned advice. The care routine is different to having a tattoo— please follow the provided aftercare instructions.

Am I suitable for treatment?

Certain medical conditions and medications would make exposure to the laser treatment dangerous to you.

Patients that should not be treated:

Pregnancy, or a client trying to become pregnant.

Breast feeding.

Chemotherapy within the last 6 months.

Users of Accutane or Tretinoin –Retin A in the last 6 months.

Type 1 Diabetes.

Bleeding Disorders.

Anyone with an immune system disorder.

Active infections or inflammatory skin conditions at the treatment site.

Tanned or sunburned skin in area of tattoo

Thrombocytopenia

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Anaemia

Rheumatoid Arthritis/Juvenille Rheumatoid Arthritis

Chronic Disease (Crohn’s Disease, IBD, etc.)

Malignancy

Multiple Sclerosis

Epilepsy (because repeated flasher may induce a fit)

Collagen Vascular Diseases

Users of St John’s Wort in the past 3 months

Waxing, plucking, sugaring or threading depilation treatment of the area in the previous 4-6 weeks

Surgical metal pins or plates under tissue to be treated

Wearing a pacemaker.

Taking any topical medication (e.g. Hydrocortisone) or is wearing perfumes, deodorants, sun block, oils etc

Clients to exercise extra precautions or care with:

Allergic reaction to ink, primarily red tattoo ink, may lead to increased chance of anaphylaxis.

Skin types IV or above

History of keloid scarring

History of hyper or Hypopigmentation

Antibiotic use may cause an increased sensitivity to light.

Other Conditions to Consider:

Chronic disease because of delay in healing. These clients may need longer between treatments to heal.

Older clients may also take longer to heal.

We are not registered to treat clients under 18 years of age.

We will not treat recently suntanned skin

Can you remove all colours?

No, - Laser tattoo removal works best on tattoos of black ink that was sparsely applied to fair skin.

Black ink is also able to absorb the full spectrum of light.

A wide range of other colours can usually be removed     successfully or lightened to a large degree:

Brown, Red* (IMPORTANT)! Some people can have an      allergic reaction to red ink particles absorbing into the body), Orange, Darker Green, Blue, Purple.

The most difficult colours to remove are pastel colours such as:

Light green, Bale Blue, Teal, Turquoise, Pink*

These colours may be lightened, but it is difficult to remove them completely. If you are going to cover-up your tattoo with a new design these pastel colours are usually easy to cover.

Usually untreatable Colours:

White*, Yellow, Light Green, Skin tones, Florescent or       Ultra-Violet*

White and yellow in does  fade over time and become less noticeable, be cautious of anyone who guarantees to remove all traces of green ink.

*Colours with potential problems

Occasionally the tattoo may go darker where the ingredients in certain colours carbonise. This irreversible darkening is sometimes seen with the following colours:

White, Pink, Flesh tone colours, Fluorescent or Ultra-Violet, Light Brown, Red

Although these complications are rare, it is one of the reasons we insist on a patch test for each colour in the tattoo so that potentially rare complications can be predicted before undergoing laser treatment.

Can I have just part of my tattoo removed?

Yes. Our lasers are very accurate. We can take the face off your pin-up girl to have it redone. We can take just the name off pieces or remove misspelt letters.

Can I have a tattoo over the treated area?

Yes. Once the treatment site has fully healed you can have a tattoo on the same area. We recommend a minimum of 6 months after your last treatment.

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Will my tattoo be completely removed?

Possibly, modern lasers can give fantastic results, but there are no guarantees. Sometimes the total elimination of the tattoo is not possible despite the use of the most advanced tattoo removal equipment. There are many factors that can affect treatment results such as:

Age of tattoo

Application method

Type of ink used

Depth of ink

Depth of colour

Area of tattoo

Your healing ability

Skin type

Tattoos that are carried out by professionals are usually more difficult to remove as they contain more pigment  colour and there is usually much more detail in the design.

Often with a professional tattoo, the pigment colours are applied more deeply in to the skin, and because of this may take more treatments sessions.

This is not to say that amateur tattoos are not applied as deep as professional ones, sometimes amateur tattooists create pockets of ink that are too deep and extremely difficult to eradicate     completely.

You may be surprised but there is no recognised international standard for manufacture of tattoo ink, sometimes inks can be mixed with other unknown compounds.

If your tattoo contains iron pigment for example, this could    result in immediate pigment darkening, with the laser treated area   turning black.

This is one of the reasons why we insist that a test patch is     always carried out on your tattoo before any course of laser treatments can be gin. So that potentially rare complications of laser        treatment like this, or any other, can be predicted.

Tattoo lightening may continue for several months after the last treatment session.

How much does it cost?

Prices are from £30 to £100 a session depending on the type of tattoo, size and colour used.

We will give you a full quote during your consultation.

A consultation takes approx 40 minuets and if free.

A deposit for treatment is required, if treatment is to go ahead.

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