People get tattoos for various reasons such as self-expression, artistic, a form of personal narrative, etc. However, some of them may have second thought later and wish to have the tattoos removed. In such cases, laser tattoo removal can help you to remove the unwanted tattoos with minimal side effects.

Lasers remove tattoos by breaking down the ink (pigments) in the tattoos with high-intensity laser energy. The pigment debris is then absorbed and removed from the body. Black tattoo pigment absorbs all laser wavelengths, making it the easiest color to treat. Other colors can only be treated by selected lasers based upon the pigment color. Generally, black and dark blue tattoos are the easier ones to remove.

Laser tattoo removal typically requires repeated therapy sessions before the results are seen. After each treatment session, the tattoo will become progressively lighter. Laser treatment is often safer and preferable than many other tattoo removal methods, such as excision or dermabrasion. This is because laser treatment selectively treats the pigment in the tattoo with relatively low collateral damage to the skin compared to other treatment modalities.

Laser System: Q-Switched Nd-YAG Laser (MedliteÒ)

Duration:  20- 30 minutes for each session

Anaesthesia: Numbing cream is used (40-50 minutes waiting time)

Downtime: 2-3 days

Total sessions required: Highly variable. Depends on the colour of the  tattoo, the density of the pigments, the presence of scarring, and layering. Generally, an average of 6 to 10 sessions is required for complete removal.

Interval between sessions: 1 month

What to Expect:

a.    Mild redness 1-2 days

b.    “Frosting” which is a slightly elevated whitish discoloration with or without punctate bleeding is often seen. This will resolve gradually.

c.     A crust may form on the treated area and fall off around one week

Skincare protocol:

a.    Clean the treatment areas with a gentle cleanser or soap.

b.    Use a good moisturizer to restore moisture in the skin. Adequate hydration of the skin is important to keep the skin healthy and protect it from damage.

c.     Apply sunscreen at least twice a day in the morning and in evening. In the events the sunscreen is wearing off due to sweating, face-washing or swimming, the sunscreen needs to be reapplied to provide continuing protection.

d.    Long term sun protection is crucial and must be strictly followed during and after the treatment.