Laser Tattoo Removal

100% safe and only affects the tatooed area and no surrounding tissues.

Price

£45 per 1" square area.

Technical Information

Department of Dermatology, Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.

Mild, transient erythema; hypopigmentation; and hyperpigmentation were noted in several patients, but resolved spontaneously within 3 months. No other textural changes, scarring, or other side effects were noted. CONCLUSION: The frequency-doubled Q-switched Nd: YAG laser (532nm) safely and effectively treats benign epidermal pigmented lesions.

In the last decade, Q-switched lasers have expanded the clinician's ability to treat decorative, cosmetic and traumatic tattoos without scarring. Previous methods of gross tissue removal with resultant scarring have been replaced by highly selective removal of tattoo pigment with minimal changes in skin texture or pigmentation.

Patient Consultation

Regardless of whether the QSRL, QSNd:YAG or QSAles laser is used, at the time of the consultation the salon should inform the patient of the following so that there are no subsequent misunderstandings: (1) no guarantee for complete removal can ever be given due to variability in the depth of the tattoo as well as the chemical makeup of the pigment(s); (2) multiple treatment sessions will be required; each successive treatment allows continued removal of remaining pigment in a "layered" fashion; and (3) laser treatments will be spaced at 1-2 month intervals to allow for the skin to heal completely.

Treatment

Treated areas are overlapped by 10-15% of the beam diameter by moving the laser hand-piece across the tattoo. Most patients are treated without anesthesia. The laser pulse is generally described as being tolerable mild moderate pain or discomfort not unlike a "rubber band" being snapped against the skin. A few laser pulses may be given to assess the patient's tolerance to treatment.

Immediately after Q-switched laser exposure, an elevated white-ash discolouration is seen which is more marked in the tattooed areas than in the adjacent normal skin. The opaque white appearance, edema and hyperemia of the adjacent normal skin usually resolve within 24 hours. Subsequently, a crest appears over the entire tattoo which sloughs at 10-14 days post treatment. Occasionally, tattoo pigment is seen within this crust. Postoperative wound care consists of topically applied antibiotic ointment. Fading of the tattoo will be noted over 6-8 weeks. Re-treatments are usually performed at 4-8 week intervals.

The great majority of patients require multiple treatments of the same area to obtain optimal fading.

Multiple studies have been published documenting the ability of Q-switched lasers to produce highly selective removal of tattoo pigment with minimal changes in skin texture or pigmentation.

Laser Tattoo Removal - £45.00 per sq inch per session. over 3 sq inch price on consultation