Tattoo Removal

If you now regret having a tattoo and would like to remove it, then help is at hand. Tattoo removal is a safe and effective treatment that makes tattoos of all sizes and colours simply fade away. Once your tattoo has been assessed, in the majority of cases, tattoo removal will be recommended.

How Tattoo Removal Works

The ink in your tattoo can be broken down with a high energy burst of light. The length of time the light is pulsed for, gives a very accurate way of delivering an exact amount of energy. The high energy light breaks up the ink particles into very tiny fragments which are taken up by the macrophage scavenger cells in the skin, and carried away by the body's waste removal systems. As the pigment is carried away, there is a gradual disappearance of the tattoo. Simple tattoos may dissolve after two treatments, but usually six to ten treatments are required. This can be more for large and complex tattoos. Some tattoos will not dissolve completely, and a little 'ghosting' of pigment remains. The reason for this resistance to treatment is due to certain colours and shades which are more transparent to the light and do not absorb the energy as effectively. Whilst the Indian ink and red areas in a tattoo normally disappear after 6-10 treatments, the other colours may need considerably more laser tattoo removal treatments. The green pigment in the tattoo may need treating up to 20 times.

Does Tattoo Removal Hurt?

Most patients find treatment of tattoos not too uncomfortable and experience a pricking sensation in the skin. If this becomes too severe, either a local anaesthetic cream (EMLA or Ametop) or a local anaesthetic injected into the area may be used. If a local anaesthetic cream is used, it is applied under an occlusive dressing, 1-2 hours before tattoo removal treatment.

After Treatment

In some cases the skin reacts by producing increased pigment. the increased pigmentation is relatively short lived and will fade completely after three to four months. This happens more frequently in people who tan easily. It is rare for the treated area to become infected because the surface of the skin is not usually broken following treatment of your tattoo. After treatment, strong direct sunlight should be avoided and a minimum of SPF30 is recommended.