Laser Tattoo Removal

Q-Switched lasers generate a very powerful beam of laser light, in a very short pulse which is absorbed by the tattoo ink particles, which effectively breaks them into smaller pieces. This enables your natural immune system to safely dispose of the ink as a waste product. The laser itself does not physically remove the tattoo – it simply breaks it down for your body to remove. The tattoo is expected to fade after each treatment. The laser only targets the tattoo, it will have no effect on surrounding skin.

Although the treatment is far from being considered “painless”, it is, at worst, mildly uncomfortable but completely manageable and tolerable. It is often described as a rubber band snapping against your skin, or splatters of oil on skin when cooking bacon. The treatment itself is over very quickly (quicker than you probably think). The laser does not harm the skin, it only passes through the skin without damaging the soft tissues.

There are many claims on the internet that laser tattoo removal will always leave a scar, however, this is a very rare occurrence, especially if the treatment has been performed well and proper aftercare has been followed. However, it is essential to note that getting the actual tattoo itself can sometimes lead to scarring due to the nature of how the tattoo is implemented into the skin. Getting the tattoo removed will not remove the scar, and so scar tissue can remain and become more visible, as it will no longer be effectively camouflaged by the tattoo itself.

Immediately post-treatment, it is common to see minor pinpoint bleeding, as well as overall reddening of the area, swelling, and even bruising. After your session, you should treat the tattoo as a healing wound, and keep to proper aftercare advice for optimal healing. Scars are formed if the healing process is interfered with, by piercing blisters, picking at scabs or by not cleaning the area. Blistering can also happen after laser tattoo removal, and should not be a cause for concern. It is a normal reaction, and simply means that the tattoo is healing well. The blisters usually heal within a couple of weeks, but by no means should they be pierced! Ensure that they reabsorb on their own. If all proper protocols are adhered to during treatment and all aftercare is adhered to, then all of the side-effects listed above are temporary.

There is no solid answer, as removal depends on a variety of different factors, such as the colour of ink, the layering (if the tattoo is a cover-up), whether it is an amateur or professional tattoo, and even the location of the tattoo on your body (the closer it is to your heart, the faster it fades due to better blood circulation). As practitioners, we can assess the tattoo and provide guidance on how easily it should remove, rather than precisely how many treatments your tattoo requires. Some tattoos can take anywhere from 2 to 4 treatments, others can take 12-15. We have found that on average, most clients require around 4-8 treatments. It is worth noting that keeping your treatments consecutive and regular aids in the dispersal of the ink, but in order to allow your body to do this, each treatment is spaced around 8-12 weeks for ample time to heal and recover, and in order to allow your lymphatic system to disperse the ink particles. There are ways to effectively speed up the tattoo removal process – by drinking lots of water, keeping healthy and exercising regularly. Stacking the treatments too close together will not remove the tattoo quicker. This can cause damage to the skin, and will not allow the body enough time to remove the ink that was shattered at the last session. The body focuses on healing for the first few weeks post-session, as that is it’s priority – only once this is done, will it work on removing the ink, and so sufficient time between sessions is important for best results. There is no quick fix – setting these expectations clearly allows you to be fully aware of the timescale and commitment. It may seem like a long time, but the time will pass anyway, and so if you wish to remove a dreaded or unsightly tattoo, it is best to start earlier rather than later.

Yes, selective removal of a tattoo is possible. We get many clients who request names of ex-partners being removed from their tattoo! We also have clients ask for selective removal if their tattoo artist botched a specific area or if the tattoo extended further than they wished, or if they would like some parts “cleaned up”. Our laser is precise, and can treat only the areas that you wish to remove, whilst keeping the rest of the tattoo untouched.

Yes, you can have your tattoo faded to make it easier to have a new design drawn in its place. This usually requires less sessions than complete removal, and often around 3 laser removal sessions are adequate to fade the tattoo to a point where an artist can have a better canvas to work on.