TATTOO REMOVAl

TATTOO REMOVAL

There has always been a perception that generally tattoos are indelible marks on the body, destined to be there for life, Removing them meant going through a long drawn out painful process of skin grafts, invasive surgeries and use of infra-red rays. However, the development of equipment based on advanced Q-switched lasers has changed all that. Tattoo removal today may be undertaken without the associated risks of general anaesthesia or surgery.

How does Q-switched laser technology work?

Concentrated laser beams are targeted at the tattoo which enters the epidermis through the top layer of the skin. These laser wavelengths pulse at high speeds – in nanoseconds – breaking up the pigmented mass which is the tattoo ink into minute fragments. These particles are then absorbed by the body’s natural processes and disposed of. Different to older versions of IPL machines, the wavelengths of light from the Q-switched laser are very short, being highly attracted to and absorbed by the tattoo ink only. Tattoo removal machines can also remove permanent “make-up” tattoos such as eyebrows. The spot where an old tattoo once was can again be tattooed with a new image provided the skin is totally healed after removal of the old one.

How long between treatments?

Treatments are spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart. This gives the area adequate time to heal before the next treatment. The body’s immune system removes the ink once it has been treated by the laser.

What does the skin look like afterwards?

On the day of the treatment the skin will appear to have some whitening which is referred to as ‘frosting’. This indicates that the ink is reacting to the laser. It is common to see some redness and swelling around the treated area which subsides over the next few days. The treated area will be covered by a dressing. The day after the treatment, the area that was treated forms a scab. This is the normal healing process. On the fifth day after your treatment, the scab will begin to fall off revealing the new skin underneath.

No. treatments REQUIRED?

Many factors affect how many treatments you will require for tattoo removal. On average, 8 to 10 treatments are required to completely remove the tattoo. Darker skinned people need more treatments because the laser also targets melanin in the skin. Black tattoos are quicker to remove than lighter coloured ones which require more treatments. The denser the tattoo, the more treatments you will require. Tattoos on the head, neck and torso require less treatments. Tattoos on the extremities such as hands require more. If the tattoo has colours layered on top of one another, you will require more treatments. Large tattoos need to be done in stages, especially if the tattoo encircles a limb.

Who can’t be treated?

Anyone who:

• Is taking or who has ever taken ‘Gold Therapy’ for arthritis can’t be treated.
• You are pregnant, breast feeding or trying to fall pregnant.
• If you are taking medication that causes photosensitivity.
• If you are currently taking Roaccutane or have been taking it in the las 6 months.
• If you are currently taking isotretinoin or have been taking it within the last 6 months.
• If you have an infection.
• If you have type 1 diabetes