Tattoo Removal

The number of treatments needed will depend on the professionalism of the tattoo, colour, size and depth of pigment. This can take anything from 6 -20 sessions although we find on average it is 12 sessions. These will be spaced around 10-12 weeks apart. Treatment can be relatively painful, although it is quite a quick treatment. Numbing cream can be applied prior to treatment.

Avoid sun exposure for a few days before the treatment starts.

Laser tattoo removal can be painful.

Before treatment starts, we can numb the area with a local anaesthetic cream to make the treatment more comfortable.

Before any treatment a patch test is done 24 hours before a treatment.

A photograph is taken before treatment to monitor progress.

During the treatment, you will feel a stinging sensation, like the flicking of an elastic band against the skin.

Treatments can take 5 minutes to 1 hour depending upon the size of the tattoo.

Antibacterial ointment is applied to the treated area after the procedure.

For 1-2 weeks after treatment:

• Wash and dry the treated area gently.
• Avoid UV exposure.
• Protect the skin with SPF50.
• Avoid strenuous exercise.
• Do not drink alcohol.

• Irritated skin – this may last for up to 1 week depending upon the amount and depth of the pigment removed.
• Hyper-pigmentation – the skin may appear darker (especially if you are a darker skin type) in the treated area. These darker patches may eventually disappear.
• Hypo-pigmentation – the skin may appear paler (especially if you are a darker skin type) in the treated area. This is because the natural skin pigment (melanin) is also targeted by the laser. These lighter patches may or may not eventually disappear.
• Scarring – this is less likely to happen since the laser does not affect the surrounding skin tissue. Silicon scar reduction gel may be helpful.

There are no other treatments effective at treating Tattoos. Non Q-switched lasers such as an IPL do not deliver intense focused light at an effective wavelength meaning they are ineffective at removing tattoos and may damage the skin.