What is Laser Tattoo Removal?
Limitations
- It can be a frustratingly slow process: 10 or more sessions may be needed to remove the tattoo.
- Many tattoos are not entirely removed – it’s quite common to have some fragments left in the skin.
- Some colours don’t fade as well as others.
Treatment Video
The Treatment
If you have hair on the area of skin to be treated, you’d need to shave before the appointment. On the day, you’d wear specially designed goggles to protect your eyes during the procedure. A local anaesthetic cream may be applied. The practitioner would then press a hand-held device to your skin and trigger a laser. Some people say this feels like an elastic band snapping at your skin. The session would take about 10-30 minutes, depending on the size of the tattoo. The tattoo should become progressively lighter with each treatment, but it’s a long, slow process. Aloe vera gel would be applied afterwards, and you may leave with a bandage or patch.
Results
There are a handful of symptoms you might see post-treatment, including blisters, swelling, raising of the tattoo, pinpoint bleeding, redness, and temporary darkening. These are common and usually subside within a couple weeks. As always, consult your doctor with concerns.
The most common side effect is a darkening or lightening of the skin, known as either hyper-pigmentation or hypo-pigmentation. This usually corrects itself in 6 to 12 months after treatment. Scars (including keloid scarring) are also a potential risk, as well as infection, burns, and textural changes of the skin.
Cost
Small size – £70
Medium size – £90
Large size – £120
Extra large size – £170