Laser Tattoo Removal
Are you bored with your tattoo?
Maybe you’re wishing you hadn’t made such a lasting mark on your body.
But how easy is it go get a tattoo removed, and how do you go about it?
Though it may sound simple, several factors come into play when considering removing a tattoo. Removal creams can fail to take off the whole tattoo, whilst other methods involving incisions or burning can cause pain or scarring. The colours used in the tattoo, as well as its size and density, can all affect the suitability of removal treatment, how long it will take, and how effective it will be. It is essential to discuss these elements with trained professionals, who can steer you in the right direction to ensure the removal of your tattoo in the safest, most effective way for you.
Laser Treatments For Tattoo Removal
Laser tattoo removal is simple, safe, and produces fantastic results. The advanced technology works by allowing the light produced by the laser to pass through the skin and break up the tattoo ink into tiny particles. The body then disposes of these fragments via its immune system. It usually takes several treatment sessions to ensure success, with regular intervals between sessions. The procedure can cause a stinging sensation, which can be eased by applying a local anaesthetic cream. Some people also experience a lightening or darkening of the affected skin, though in most cases this returns to normal after six months. Redness in the area is common after the procedure, but subsides quickly. The professionals performing the treatment will advise using a high factor sun block while the skin is still sensitive, along with other tips on achieving the best results. It makes sense to take your tattoo to the experts!
Laser Tattoo FAQs
Only very rarely; some amateur tattoos may disappear after only a small number of treatments; professional tattoos usually take a higher number. We are currently assessing the new R20 method which, in some cases has removed the tattoo in as little as one session.
There is no such thing as an average tattoo; every tattoo is different and every individual responds differently. As a guide, amateur tattoos can take anywhere from 1-6 treatments; professional tattoos from 8-12, although they may take more than this. Without seeing the tattoo, it is impossible to be more accurate and even then, we will only be able to give an estimate.
The cost of a single treatment will depend solely on the size of the tattoo. The bigger the area, the more time it will take to treat and the higher the charge. Again, until we can see the tattoo, we cannot measure the area or price the treatment.
Unfortunately not; most pigments, especially blacks and blues, do respond very well to the Q switch laser with reds being more difficult. Green and yellow pigment can be quite resistant to treatment.
This depends on the size of the tattoo; a small tattoo might take 5 minutes, where a large, or multiple tattoos could take an hour or more of treatment. Again, the assessment will provide this information.
The amount of pain felt will depend on the type of tattoo, the amount of treatment required and your own pain threshold. Some clients would describe it as no more than uncomfortable, where others will describe it as an elastic band flicked against the skin. The truth is that you won’t know how painful you find it until you try it! We can offer advice on pain relief which will be given during your assessment.
Although there is a risk of scarring with any laser, in most cases, scarring is not a significant risk for tattoo removal with the Q switch laser. Tattoo removal has become associated with scarring because the first lasers used for tattoo removal were very aggressive and carried a very high risk of scarring. The ruby laser does not heat the surrounding skin significantly and the risk of scarring is much reduced. The risk of scarring is mainly associated with a genetic pre-disposition to forming scar tissue and the presence of resistant, green pigment. To reduce the risk, we carry out an extensive evaluation to identify high-risk clients.
After each treatment, the area may blister; this is quite normal and usually resolves in a few days. Once any blisters or crusts have subsided, the skin around the tattoo will look shiny for a number of weeks. Treatment cannot be repeated until your skin has returned to normal; this will usually take from 4 to 5 weeks. The highest-risk side effect is skin de-pigmentation (loss of natural skin colour). Because the laser targets dark pigments, the energy is also absorbed by the melanin in the skin. The most frequent side effect is for the natural colour in the skin to ‘bleach’ after a number of treatments. While normal skin pigment will usually recover, it can take months, or even years to do so. As a general guideline, the darker the skin or the more treatments required, the more risk there is of long term de-pigmentation. Because of the risk of damage to skin pigment, we will not treat tanned skin and will postpone treatment until any sun-tan has faded.
Prices depend on the size of the tattoo, therefore we can only quote at your consultation. Please click the button below for a guide to our prices.
Laser Tattoo Removal Prices
Prices depend on the size of the tattoo, therefore we can only quote at your consultation. Prices below are to be used as a guide, however, after your initial consultation a full price breakdown can be given.
ANAESTHETIC CREAM – £5.50 per individual treatment.
