Advanced treatments for tattoo removal
At Skin Southwest, we have the most advanced Q-Switch lasers for tattoo removal. This is the only type of laser that is safe and effective for successful removal and can fade tattoos of various sizes and colour. Your tattoo will be assessed and, in the majority of cases, the laser will be recommended.
Most tattoos require between four and twelve treatment sessions to completely disappear. The number of treatment sessions depends on a few factors:
Active Q-Switch Lasers generate a high powered beam of laser light in an extremely short pulse, and are the most suitable lasers for permanent tattoo removal treatment. The light is absorbed by the tattoo ink particles, breaking them down into smaller pieces, enabling your natural immune defences to absorb and disperse the ink. A gradual fading of the tattoo occurs over a series of treatments.
The skin will be cleaned and the laser applicator is passed over the tattoo releasing quick pulses of light. An audible clicking noise is often heard as the ink particles shatter. After treatment, a soothing lotion is applied.
Very rarely the skin may become lighter or darker, or a small blister may form. Change to skin texture and risk of scarring is possible, though very uncommon, and is more likely if grazes are not allowed to heal naturally. There may be loss of natural tanning ability in the area treated which usually improves with time.
Most people say that laser tattoo removal feels like a rubber band snapping against the skin. The laser will make an audible clicking or snapping sound as it disperses the tattoo pigment. If you could withstand the pain of getting a tattoo, you should have no problem bearing the minor discomfort of tattoo removal.
This will depend on the size of the tattoo and the range of colours within the tattoo, we will always discuss this at your initial consultation. Prices start at £50 per session for a 1 inch tattoo that only has black ink.
Laser tattoo removal treatment can be used for a complete removal or to lighten your ink in preparation for a cover-up tattoo. It is easier to remove certain ink types and certain ink colours (such as black inks).
The same rules apply for tattoo removal as they do for a tattoo. Please wear comfortable clothes and ensure that you do not come on an empty stomach. Ensure the area of skin that we are going to laser has nothing on it. We ask you to not apply fake tan to the area or anything that can block the treatment.
Your skin will most likely be red and feel like it has a mild sunburn. This typically goes away after a couple of hours. There may also be some bruising. At times and with certain inks, there may be mild blistering that usually heals in about a week. After each treatment, you will be given instructions on how to care for your treated area. Tattoo removal takes time so you may not see dramatic results from the first session. Multiple sessions are always required and we will take before and after photos of the tattoo to monitor its removal progress.
We leave a minimum of 6-12 weeks between sessions to ensure that your skin is completely healed and ready before we carry out more tattoo removal work.
