FAQs laser treatments

Tattoo ink is broken up into fragments for your body's lymphatic circulation to take away. This process can only be carried out layer by layer and so it is impossible to know how many you may need. Tattoo removal varies dependant on the original ink used, needle size and the depth of ink, amongst many other factors which we cannot know by simply looking at the surface layer.

You should require less sessions if you are physically active, eat a healthy balanced diet filled with nutrients and drink lots of water. The process is highly dependant on your good health, age, healing response and no underlying medical health conditions.

Our training and techniques should speed this process up, but we usually say between 3-15 spaced 6 weeks apart.

Tattoo Removal is a little unpleasant and often described as hot oil spitting against the skin. Luckily treatments are quick and usually over within a matter of seconds/minutes depending on the tattoo size. 

Our training is such that it shouldn't be too unbearable and with our techniques you should need less sessions overall. Unlike some other practitioners, we spend quality time with you before your removal, cooling down the area with ice packs. We will provide aloe vera gel, cooling sprays and ice packs immediately after your removal to keep your skin calm and cool. 

Please follow all aftercare advice. Luckily tattoo removals are a very quick process, usually completed within a few minutes depending on the treatment size. 

You will often see on social media that frosting occurs immediately after the laser process. Please note this is not the tattoo instantly fading and only lasts a minute! This reaction is a temporary release of gas and plasma, a positive response, showing your body is instantly getting to work to heal and remove the ink.

No. Laser is light and works alongside the light spectrum, reflected by white and absorbed by black. Therefore black ink on lighter skin tones is best for laser tattoo removal. Laser removal also works well to remove reds, browns, oranges, pinks, and purples. Light green and turquoise blue colours are harder to remove but luckily we have techniques in place. No laser can currently remove whites or yellow colours. 

You will need to wait 6 months after having your original tattoo done before you can commence laser tattoo removals. Tattoos can unfortunately come with scarring and tissue changes so we allow your body time to heal as best possible before we start removing it with laser.

Laser machines use light beam technology which produces energy through the layers of skin. This energy converts to heat and is attracted to the red pigment (haemoglobin) and brown pigment (melanin) within the blood and skin. The laser technology has filters which allow a range of settings to adjust the pulse settings and energy output in order to safely target specific conditions. 

Laser Tattoo Removals use laser light which passes safely through the epidermis layer of the skin to reach the deeper layers of the dermis and hypodermis. The depths of skin is measured in nanometers. Tattoo removal machines will use a setting which can reach levels of 532nm and 1064nm. 

The light from the laser is absorbed producing heat which will shatter the first layer of ink within the skin. The ink is broken up into smaller pieces for your lymphatic and blood circulation to carry it away. 

We use the titan 3, a Q switch ND:YAG with ruby crystal which has a dual wavelength of 532nm and 1064nm for safe tattoo removal. Most laser tattoo removal clinics in the UK use an ND:YAG, but you should also be asking what techniques your laser technician is using. We use the latest distancing techniques to give you maximum, deep penetration to break up ink whilst protecting the skin, rather than the old fashioned 'get as close as you can and blast it away techniques'. These wavelengths can remove the darker pigmentation in black tattoos, reds, pinks, browns, purples and oranges. We use a different technique for light green and turquoise colours. Please note, no laser equipment in the UK can currently offer any reduction in white and yellow colours.

No. It will take 6 weeks to see the best results after each session due to skin cell turnover. We unfortunately cannot guarantee results. We take an in depth consultation to understand your current mental and physical health. Certain health conditions and medication can interfere with results and so you must answer questions accurately. We take before and after photos to ensure your progress between sessions. Laser treatments encourage the healing response and blood circulation to the area. We are therefore reliant on your good physical and mental health to ensure a positive response between sessions. We are trained to adjust the settings to ensure you are getting the most efficient results for your skin type. If you see no progress between sessions then we may redirect you to see your GP to check whether there are any underlying health issues. 

Yes as long as your therapist is trained and qualified. We follow many protocols to ensure the clinic is safe. You will be required to wear protective goggles. We carry out an extensive consultation to determine whether you have any medical conditions or are taking any medication which may prevent you from having laser treatments. Your therapist will highlight the possible temporary risks to your skin such as hyper-pigmentation going darker for 7-10 days, thread veins may crust over for 7-10 days, you will feel a sense of heat for a few hours following your treatment, and you can receive erythema (redness), oedema (swelling) and for tattoo removal pinprick bleeding. You will need to follow all aftercare advice to avoid any permanent risks.

The quality of laser tattoo removals and techniques has improved over the years. The skin should look as good as without a tattoo, left without causing any marks, burns or scars. 

There can be some temporary short term after effects such as redness and swelling, hyper-pigmentation areas may get darker for 7-10 days, thread veins may crust over for 7-10 days, etc. These possible side effects are only temporary and only in some severe cases of unknown medical conditions can be permanent. 

The quality of laser technology has improved over the years and as long as your therapist is trained and qualified to use the correct settings for your skin type, it should not leave permanent scarring or burns on the skin.

Yes. We determine your skin type on a Fitzpatrick scale of 1-6. Laser is safest on lighter skin types 1-3. If you are a darker skin types 4-6 we adapt our techniques to reduce any risk of burns due to the natural occurring melanin (skin pigment) within your skin. Please note, colours are more difficult to remove if you are skin type 4-6. We do have techniques in place, however we cannot guarantee results. This is all covered in detail in your consultation and patch test. Please wear suntan lotion SPF30+ twice a day on the treatment area and avoid direct sunlight/UV exposure throughout the process for best results. 

We firstly need to carry out a consultation to cover any contraindications. If you have any of  the following medical conditions we unfortunately wont be able to offer you laser treatments. Your safety is our priority.

Epilepsy

Diabetes

Skin cancer

Heart issues

Hemaphilia

Recent surgery

Open wounds

Tattoos have to leave a 3cm gap around the tattoo (unless you are having this permanently removed)

Moles in treatment area

High/Low blood pressure

Pregnancy and breast feeding (Please wait 3 months)

Any sensitivity to light

Taking anti-coagulant medication (blood thinners, aspririn, warfarin)

Taking photosensitising medication (The Pill, St Johns Wort)

Any undiagnosed lumps and bumps

Semi permananent make up (unless you are having this removed)

Keloid scarring

Fake tans (Please wait 2 weeks)

Sun tans (Please wait 4 weeks)

Botox injections (Please wait 2 weeks)

Fillers (Please wait 4 weeks)

Any major hormonal changes such as menopause, hysterectomy and PCOS will affect your treatments

Any other recent medical conditions that may affect your treatment

Our laser technicians go through an extensive skin analysis before you commence your treatment plan. This covers an initial consultation covering any medical conditions that may prevent you from having laser treatments. We cover a fitzpatrick test to determine your skin type and determines the settings we are to use from our machines. We then analyse the skin for any conditions or reasons why we cannot offer laser treatments. We analyse the skin to decide the best treatment for your skin. A patch test is necessary for our insurance to be valid. A patch test allows us to check that the laser treatments is safe for your skin and that you subsequently have no reactions to the treatment. It allows us to decide the best setting for the most efficient treatment for you. 

The purpose of the patch test is to ensure there are no adverse reactions to your skin following your laser treatment. You will be required to check the area and send a photo 24hrs and 48hrs following your patch test. Providing there are no adverse reactions to your skin, skin types 1-3 can book a laser treatment 48hrs after the patch test. Skin type 4 will have to wait 2 weeks. Skin type 5 will have to wait 3 weeks and skin type 6 will need to wait 4 weeks. This will all be explained on the day of your skin analysis and patch test.

We have covered this in depth on our pre and post advice page. Stay out of sunlight and UV light for 4 weeks before and after. Do not apply any creams, lotions, perfumes, deodorant on treatment area on the day of treatment. After your session you will need to apply aloe vera gel and SPF30+ daily. Please follow all our guidelines to ensure there are no long term side effects from treatments. 

We have qualifications from a reputable company and extensive training. We are proud to be able to provide these treatments. The costs involved cover our equipment, machines and products. We have ongoing costs of rent, insurance, licencing regulations. All equipment has a limited use before needing replacement, the laser heads only have a limited number of shots in them before they need to be replaced too. We offer quality and time to get to know our clients and understand the best settings for their skin type and conditions so that they achieve optimal results. We are satisfied that we are offering the best quality treatments at a reasonable cost to both ourselves and our loyal clients.

We initially started our careers as Level 5 Sports Remedial Therapists. We are trained in Level 3 anatomy and physiology. We have a core of knowledge laser training. We are VTEC Level 4 laser trained in laser hair removal and skin rejuvenation. We are IQA Level 5 trained in laser tattoo removal. We have our 3 year first aid certificates. We have many other qualifications and have over 10 years of experience with our clients. We are keen to keep learning and keep adding treatments to offer our client base.

Tattoo Removals will need to be 18 years of age. We regret that we cannot offer treatments to under 18s due to insurance purposes.

Please wear loose fitting clothes to allow your skin to breathe and stay cool following treatments. Ladies, please wear a bra that unclips from the back rather than sports bras if we need to access this area. It is best to wear loose fitting clothes that fully cover the skin so that your skin is not exposed to UV light following your laser treatments.