Visit the guide to Laser Tattoo Removal for more information.
LASER TATTOO REMOVAL
If you no longer enjoy your tattoos and ready to part ways with them? Look no further than Dermedica in Perth! Our laser tattoo removal services are top-of-the-line and meet the gold standard in the industry. Using only the highest quality equipment and proven techniques, we can effectively fade your tattoo until it's barely noticeable. Don't let an old tattoo hold you back any longer - book your appointment with Dermedica today and get ready to say goodbye to unwanted ink!
What is Laser Tattoo Removal?
Lasers have been used to remove tattoos for more than 20 years. The process for laser tattoo removal begins when a laser emits a pulse of light that is absorbed into certain colours of ink.
The laser penetrates the skin at high speed (billionths of a second) and produces a shock wave effect that disperses the ink particles into smaller pieces. The body then identifies these particles as something that shouldn't be there. It removes them via the body's immune system, without causing adverse side effects.
The procedure is relatively quick and involves minimal discomfort but it does require multiple visits for maximum effectiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best method to remove tattoos?
Q-switched laser is the gold standard for laser tattoo removal. Q switch laser also known as Q switch Nd:YAG is a special laser that releases energy in a single, powerful pulse. Due to the manner of laser delivery, it is suitable for most skin colour and may be used on darker skin to avoid changing the skin’s pigment permanently.
At Dermedica we use Spectra laser technology which has four different wavelengths as 1064 nm, 650 nm, 585 nm, and 532 nm. The biggest feature of this Q-Switched technology is that it can make extremely strong pulses in an extremely short time.
Over the past few years, several non-laser based tattoo removal techniques have emerged with extraordinary claims about their ability to remove professional tattoos. These techniques are questionable at best and often dangerous to the skin.
What happens before a laser tattoo removal treatment?
Before laser treatment, the skin is numbed with a numbing cream or local anesthetic. Once the skin is numbed, a powerful pulse of laser energy is applied to the tattoo to heat and shatter the tattoo ink. Multicoloured tattoos might need treatment with various lasers of different wavelengths.
After the procedure, you may notice swelling and possibly blistering or bleeding. Antibacterial ointment can help promote healing in the treated areas.
Can any colour of tattoo ink be removed?
Unlike other laser devices in the market today, the laser we use at Dermedica, Spectra Laser emit four wavelengths of laser beams to target the widest possible range of tattoo colours. In our experience, some colours respond better than others. We will give you an honest evaluation when we assess your tattoo..
Blacks and red colours are removed most effectively as well as some brown, purple, orange, pink and occasionally yellow ink. Greens and blues are more challenging to remove completely. We can determine the success rate of the various colours during the consultation. .
Around 80-90% of tattoo images are created with black ink, which generally responds well to laser removal treatment.
Understanding tattoo ink and its depth in the skin:
Different colour ink settles in different depths in the skin. Black ink settles the deepest in the skin, blues/green colours settle mid-skin and red/orange colours settle closer to the surface of the skin. In order to successfully remove different ink colours, you need different wavelengths to properly target each colour and reach the right depth under the skin’s surface.
The best laser wavelength to successfully target dark pigment (black, dark blues, etc.) is 1064 nm. The ideal laser wavelength to target the difficult blue and green colours is the 694 nm and the only wavelength to target red coloured tattoo ink is the 532nm.
How many treatments does it take to remove a tattoo?
You’ll likely need repeated sessions to lighten your tattoo. Depending on the colours, you may need a minimum of 4 treatments. Some colours may not be possible to completely erase the tattoo colour. The aim of some of the difficult tattoo colours are to fade it.
How many sessions will I need for laser tattoo removal?
Every tattoo responds differently to laser treatment due to several variables including :
- Natural colour of your skin
- Age of the tattoo
- Colour & depth of the ink in your skin
- Size and concentration of the ink particles
- Your immune system
Predicting how many treatments any tattoo will require is an educated guess. During your consultation, we will make an estimate of the number of tattoo removal sessions likely to be needed to remove your tattoo. On average, most black ink tattoos require between six to fifteen sessions, spread over several months.
How is Q switch different from other lasers as a tattoo removal treatment?
At Dermedica in Perth, we use medical-grade and approved lasers. Spectra is a Q-Switched Laser operating in a nanosecond range delivering 1064 nm and 532 nm wavelengths and with MultiLite Dye Handpieces that extend the wavelength capabilities and help to remove multi-coloured tattoos. This means our Q switch laser has four different wavelengths ie 1064 nm, 650 nm, 585 nm, and 532 nm to remove most colour tattoo.
How frequently can I have a tattoo removal treatment?
Tattoo fading is a slow process. It is dependent on your body’s immune system and the operator’s technique.
At Dermedica in Perth, our tattoo removal specialists recommend your treatments are spaced six to eight weeks apart. This is to allow your immune system enough time to eliminate the ink particles from your body.
Is tattoo removal painful?
The discomfort of laser tattoo removal is often described as a “rubber band snapping the skin” and can vary in intensity from client to client.
Our highly experienced Perth-based laser tattoo removal team will do their utmost to minimise any pain or discomfort associated with tattoo removal. We use a combination of 2 methods to numb your skin. We use high-strength topical numbing cream, plus a skin-cooling device to make the procedure as comfortable as possible.
Can I come in before six weeks if my skin has healed completely from the last tattoo removal treatment?
It takes four weeks for the body to start breaking down the ink and even though the tattoo may appear healed, it is not. The laser breaks the ink down into smaller particles and then the body must remove it. This process takes 4 to 6 weeks so getting treated sooner will not make the tattoo’s appearance diminish any faster and can also put you at risk for scarring.
Are there any restriction guidelines after a tattoo removal treatment?
We recommend you limit the amount of physical activity you do and avoid sun exposure for the first 24 hours after a tattoo removal session. If the body gets too overheated, it can cause the tattoo to blister. You can have a lukewarm shower after your treatment.
Can I only remove a portion of my tattoo?
Laser tattoo removal requires skillful tattoo removal practitioners to be highly precise and accurate. Hence under our tattoo removal expert hands, you can remove just the unwanted portion of any tattoo you have.
Can I remove or fade my permanent makeup using laser tattoo removal?
This is the most commonly performed laser tattoo removal treatment.
There is a small risk associated with permanent makeup removal. Some cosmetic inks have metallic bases and when the laser beam hits it, it can turn black. Once this darkening occurs, it can take several sessions to fix it. A test spot is recommended to determine if the makeup tattoo will respond to treatment.
How much does tattoo removal cost in Perth?
The price of laser tattoo removal treatments depends on the size of your tattoo. A coin-sized tattoo removal process starts from $199 per session. Larger tattoos may cost anywhere between $350 to $500 per session.
Can my tattoo be lightened using laser tattoo removal so I can redo my tattoo?
If you want to lighten your tattoo and then redo it or cover it up, we recommend having a few treatment sessions. You will need a consultation with our tattoo removal experts for better guidance.
Will there be any blisters after laser tattoo removal?
Small blisters and scabs are possible and expected after any laser tattoo removal treatment. These usually heal without any issues within a few days.
Can I remove a tattoo that I got a month ago?
You must wait for at least six weeks after a tattoo has been applied to your skin before starting the removal process.
How do I look after my skin after tattoo removal?
The aftercare for Laser Tattoo Removal is very similar to the aftercare when you initially had the tattoo done. Keep the treated area clean and protected during the healing process.
We recommend applying a wound healing balm (petroleum gel, pawpaw cream, any burns cream/gel/ointment) to the treated area several times per day to keep it moist and protected for the first few days after your laser tattoo removal session.
Blisters or scabs should be left alone. These usually heal without any intervention.
Why should I avoid other tattoo removal methods?
There are other ways to remove tattoos., The results can be disappointing and carry a relatively high complication risk. Injections, creams, acid and other non-laser methods are, in our experience, ineffective and potentially hazardous.
- Acid, or chemical removal: These methods involve the use of a concentrated caustic compound to chemically burn skin tissue to the depth of the tattoo itself. This can obliterate the tattoo but only through the formation of scar tissue, which may still contain pigment. Scarring is inevitable but removal is not assured. Several scientific-sounding acronyms such as Trans Epidermal Pigment Release (TEPR) have been used to mask what is in fact simply a chemical burning.
- Dermabrasion: To remove the pigment, layers of skin are removed, and full thickness scarring will result. If the treatment fails to go deep enough, only partial thickness scarring will occur but remnants of the tattoo can remain.
- Surgery: It is possible to remove the skin which contains the tattoo and replace it with a partial-thickness skin graft from elsewhere on the body. However, two areas of scarring will result.
Dermedica does not recommend using chemical or non-laser tattoo removal. Chemical injection burns and scarring are the main complications that we see and while we can usually improve on the mess that is left behind, in most cases, we can never completely repair third-degree chemical burns.
Why choose Dermedica for laser tattoo removal?
Just as a professional, experienced tattoo artist will create a stunning and long-lasting tattoo, an experienced professional is the best person to help remove this type of mark from your skin.
At Dermedica, we apply highly professional treatments in a sterile and controlled environment. Our tattoo removal practitioners are qualified and skilled which means you will experience a premium quality treatment.
Our lead practitioner Dr Joanna Teh is a Doctor of Cosmetic Dermatology and will provide an initial consultation so she can confirm your expectations.