Laser Tattoo Removal

LASER TATTOO REMOVAL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• What is laser tattoo removal with Lumenis®?

  Lumenis® laser tattoo removal uses a Q-switched laser, which means that light energy is delivered in short pulse durations which ‘cracks’ the dark tattoo pigment particles in your skin. As the particles crack, they break down, dissolve and are absorbed by your body. Tattoo removal is very selective to the ink and will not affect your surrounding skin. You will need a course of treatments for the best results.

• How soon should I see results?

  You will notice a change in the colour intensity of your tattoo immediately after each tattoo removal session. The number of treatments you need overall will depend on where the tattoo is on your body, your skin tone and colour, and the size, design and colours used in the tattoo itself. Some people only need two to three treatments, while others need up to ten to experience the best results.

  Laser tattoo removal sessions are usually carried out six to ten weeks apart to give time for the results of each treatment to be fully visible and settled.

  Tattoo removal is ideal for black and dark blue tattoos, but other colours may not respond as quickly or as well to treatment; green, in particular, resists treatment.

• Is laser tattoo removal safe?

  Lumenis® laser tattoo removal technology is approved by the FDA for the removal of black and dark tattoos and is trusted by leading aesthetics professionals around the world. All energy-based treatments have some risk of side effects (see ‘What are the side effects of tattoo removal?’ below) and it is important that you choose an experienced and approved practitioner to minimise the chance of complications.

• Is there any downtime?

  Generally speaking, you won’t need to take any downtime for laser tattoo removal treatment. You may find that the treatment area is a bit sore and tender for up to a week, and we may recommend that you keep it covered with a dressing. If you work in dirty or unhygienic conditions, extra care must be taken to keep the treatment area clean.

• Do I need to do anything in particular as part of my aftercare routine?

  Before you have laser tattoo removal at Emma J Aesthetics, we’ll talk to you in detail about the pros and cons, potential side effects, and anything you should know about your aftercare. It is important that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about what’s right for you.

  For the best results:

  • Avoid picking at any scabs or crusting that appears on the treatment area to minimise the risks of scarring
  • Redress the treatment area as advised
  • Resist scrubbing the treatment area when showering or bathing
  • Wear a high factor sunscreen for at least four weeks post-treatment to protect the skin from sun damage and hyperpigmentation
  • Avoid public swimming pools until the treatment area has healed
  • Contact us immediately if you notice any signs of infection

  When aftercare advice is followed properly, the risk of infection is incredible low. If infection does occur, it can usually be treated with a topical antibiotic cream. Once any scabs and blisters are dry, the area is safe from infection.

• What happens during a laser tattoo removal treatment?

  We will apply a local anaesthetic to your skin to make the treatment as comfortable as possible approximately 20 minutes before your appointment, and will ask you to wear goggles to protect your eyes from the laser light.

  We then use a special Lumenis® hand piece to direct short bursts of light into the pigment of the tattoo that we wish to remove. This causes what’s known as a photo-acoustic affect where you may actually hear popping sounds caused by the ink particles bursting and breaking up within your skin. Your skin may also feel quite hot and people describe the sensation of the laser as being like a rubber band snapping against the skin or a plaster being pulled off.

  Laser tattoo removal typically takes between 15 and 45 minutes, depending on the size of the tattoo.

• How long do the results of this treatment last?

  Once the pigment in a tattoo has been broken down and absorbed by your body, it will be gone forever. It’s important to realise that the results will vary from one tattoo to another, and it isn’t always possible to completely remove a tattoo. However, you should still find that your treated tattoo is far less visible than it was before laser tattoo removal.

• Am I a suitable candidate for treatment?

  As we have seen, Lumenis® laser tattoo removal works best on black or dark blue tattoos; it can be used to treat coloured tattoo pigment, but may not be as effective. To find out what you can realistically expect in terms of your own tattoo removal, it’s important to come into our Inverness aesthetic clinic for a consultation.

• What are the side effects of laser tattoo removal?

  After your tattoo removal treatment, you may experience some mild bleeding, redness, swelling or even blistering in the treated area. Your skin may also feel tender to the touch. These issues should self-resolve within a few days.

  Once any scabs or blisters have healed, it’s common for the skin to look shiny for a number of weeks. You should avoid picking at the skin or popping any blisters to minimise the risk of infection.

  It can take between four to six weeks for your skin to return to normal, after which the next treatment can be performed.

  Known post-treatment side effects include:

  • Hyperpigmentation (patches of darkened skin), which usually self-resolve
  • Hypopigmentation (patches of lightened skin), which can take months or years to resolve and sometimes never fully resolve
  • Scarring – The risks of scarring associated with Lumenis® tattoo removal are very low. In rare cases where scarring has occurred, it is usually because the patient had a history of scarring or because they picked at the scabs.

• Can anyone offer this treatment?

  Tattoo removal should only ever be carried out by an appropriately qualified and approved medical practitioner.

  Your treatment will be carried out by Dr John Elder himself or a highly experienced nurse practitioner.