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Laser Tattoo Removal
Laser Tattoo Removal Treatment at London Body Centre Clear Skin
Laser tattoo removal works by firing laser light into the tattoo which breaks the ink into tiny pieces, these little pieces are easy for the body to absorb. This allows the ink to be removed from the body itself. Laser tattoo removal avoids damaging the skin while removing the tattoo, unlike other tattoo removal methods.
Laser Tattoo Removal
Unwanted tattoos can be removed gradually over a series of sessions using a laser.
Your tattoo will require multiple sessions before it’s fully removed. The amount of sessions or treatments depends on how large your tattoo is, what sort of ink has been used and the length of time between your sessions. As a rough guide a ‘professional’ tattoo will need between 8 and 12 sessions whereas an ‘amateur’ tattoo might only require between 3 and 6.
We will be able to give you a more accurate idea of the number of sessions required at your initial consultation.
How Does It Work?
You will need to attend for an initial consultation. We will assess your skin type and tattoo so we can give you a more accurate price and estimate number of treatments. laser is not suitable for patients with skin type V or VI.
If you have hair on the area of skin to be treated, you’d need to shave before your treatment appointment. During the treatment you will wear specially designed goggles to protect your eyes.
We use a hand piece to direct the laser. The feeling of each short pulse is usually described as feeling like the ‘snap’ of a rubber band on the skin. In the vast majority of cases, having a tattoo removed using the laser is less painful or at worst – only the same – as having the tattoo done.
The sessions usually take about 10-30 minutes, depending on the size of the tattoo.
The tattoo should become progressively lighter with each treatment, but it's a long, slow process.
Before the Laser Tattoo Removal Treatment
Follow these guidelines unless your laser technician directs otherwise.
We ask that you are freshly showered or bathed with completely clean skin, without lotions, oils, creams or fragrances of any kind before coming in. If there is excessive hair in the treatment area, we recommend shaving the area prior to treatment.
Avoid sun exposure to the treatment area, and do not use UV tanning beds at all for four weeks before treatment. The use of self-tanning skin care products must be discontinued 4 weeks prior to treatment, and any residual self-tanner must be removed in order to perform the treatment.
Numbing agents may not be used in the treatment area as it can interfere with the efficacy of treatment.
Do not use any topical products that cause photosensitivity (e.g. hydroxy acids, salicylic acid, retinols, and benzoyl peroxide) in the treatment areas for three weeks before treatment.
If you have received any Aesthetic services in the treatment area, such as Botox®, dermal fillers, laser or spa services, please contact our office to ensure that treatment may still be performed.
During the Laser Tattoo Removal Treatment
Following the consultation, if we determine you are a good candidate, we will proceed with treatment. Your laser technician will begin by asking a few pertinent questions about your recent health history to ensure there are no contraindications for treatment. The technician will discuss your treatment desires and at that time you can specifically let us know what tattoos you would like to treat. The treatment area will be cleansed and prepared for treatment. Your technician will talk you through the treatment to ensure you won’t experience any surprises.
While receiving laser tattoo removal, you will be required to wear protective eye wear. You may still be able to see a flash of light, but your eyes will be completely covered. The laser technicians wear protective eye wear, as well. During the treatment, all areas of the body that will not be lasered will be covered with clothing. Only the areas to receive laser treatment will be exposed. We are always mindful of your comfort and your peace of mind; we will let you know ahead of time what to expect.
The treatment can be performed in as little as 15 minutes, depending on the size of your tattoo and type of ink that was used. Most patients compare the treatment discomfort as comparable to when they got the tattoo. Following treatment you may feel a little discomfort, but generally people experience redness, mild swelling and/or tenderness in treatment area that will resolve in a quick manner. The post treatment area response will vary from patient to patient depending on the extent of treatment.
During a laser tattoo removal procedure, the practitioner guides a laser over the area of the tattoo. Unlike a laser pointer that produces a continuous beam of light, tattoo removal lasers produce pulses of light energy
Each pulse of energy penetrates the skin and is absorbed by the tattoo ink. As the tattoo ink particles absorb the energy, they then shatter into tiny fragments. Then, over the weeks following treatment, the body’s immune system flushes the tattoo ink particles away from the location, lightening the appearance of the tattoo. Each laser treatment breaks down more and more of the tattoo ink until none remains
After the Laser Tattoo Removal Treatment
Erythema (redness), edema (swelling), scabbing, flaking, irritation or blistering in the treatment area will most likely occur. This may persist for several days. A white-gray discoloration of the treatment area may appear immediately following treatment and last for a few minutes to a few days.
Your tattoo may darken, lighten, fade or even appear to have no change immediately post-treatment. On average, it takes 6-12 weeks for your body to process the pigment of the tattoo. Tattoo removal works by eliminating pigment in the tattoo through the body’s lymphatic system, therefore, treatment results will not be visibly evident for 8-12 weeks.
Discomfort may be relieved by using ice packs in 20-30 minute intervals. This must not ever be directly on the skin.
Avoid sun exposure to the treatment area throughout the course of your laser treatments. From patch test through to min 6 week spost last session. Do not use UV tanning beds at all for four weeks after treatment.
Once per day use a gentle water to cleanse treatment area and pat dry. To keep the treatment area moist, apply Post Laser advised Fade the Itch ointment twice per day and cover with a non-adherent bandage for 7-10 days post treatment, or until the treatment area is healed.
If scabbing occurs, it is very important not to pick, shave, rub, scratch or aggressively wash the area to prevent possible scarring. If blistering occurs, do not drain blisters. Allow them to dry and heal on their own. Care should be taken to prevent trauma to the treated area for the first 10-14 days following treatment.
Physical exercise (aerobics, sport activities) should be discontinued for 3 days. Rough physical activities (playing football) should be discontinued for 10 days post treatment.
Do not immerse the treatment area in water for the first three weeks post procedure, or until the skin completely heals. This includes bathtubs, Jacuzzis, swimming pools, lakes, the ocean, etc.
If the tattoo is on a lower extremity, keep the leg elevated to increase blood circulation which encourages the healing process.
Return in 8-12 weeks for assessment.
Facts You Need to Know
Getting a tattoo might seem like a life-long commitment, but the good news is that it doesn’t have to be. Laser tattoo removal is the preferred option for those who want to be rid of their body art – and with good reason. It is a relatively quick and safe procedure that will leave your skin tattoo-free.
We’ve put together a list of facts about laser tattoo removal you might not have been aware of, and that might encourage you to give it a go yourself.
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