Until the evolution of laser tattoo removal, getting rid of tattoos was incredibly painful and largely ineffective. Laser tattoo removal works by using powerful light energy to break down the size of the particles in the pigment in tattoos and offers us a far more effective and less brutal solution to unwanted tattoos.
Our tattoo removal is done with a Q-switched ND/YAG Laser, which is part of the Lumenis M22 multi-platform solution – the gold standard in treatments, trusted and used by physicians all over the world. The Q-Switched laser uses a process called the “photoacoustic effect” – the laser energy is absorbed by the tattoo pigment and as a result, an extremely high temperature is generated. Since this temperature is not sustainable, it collapses and produces an acoustic wave which forms around the pigments. The result of this wave shatters the particles of ink into smaller fragments which is naturally removed by the body. The remaining ink particles are removed by the same “shattering” effect until they all disappear.
The biggest benefit of using the Q-Switched laser is that it helps to avoid scarring and lasting tissue damage, causing tattoos to gradually disappear over time.
Tattoos usually lie in your dermis, which is under your epidermis. The laser is able to fragment (break up) the colour so that it passes through the hypodermis, causing white blood cells to attack and eliminate it naturally. The degree of fading and the amount of treatments needed are dependent on your body chemistry.
During treatment the skin will “frost” as the tattoo is treated. Treatment times are relatively fast, depending on the size of the tattoo. The laser only targets the pigment in the tattoo, leaving your surrounding skin unharmed however, as with all laser treatments, it is important for you to have a through consultation with us before we undertake treatment.