Lasers have been used for tattoo removal for more than 20 years. Our Q-Switched ND: YAG laser is suitable for straight forward colours such as blue, black, green, red, orange and yellow. The following information is designed to cover the most frequently asked questions.



 

 

 

 

 

 

Why is a tattoo so difficult to remove?
The tattoo pigment injected into the lower layers of

skin (the dermis) becomes sealed away by a tough

network of collagen fibres. It is very difficult to

remove this pigment without affecting the

surrounding tissue. The alternatives to laser treatment

are, either to physically remove the pigment with the

surrounding skin by surgical excision and skin

grafting, or chemically destroy the pigment using

concentrated salts or acid. In either case the

surrounding skin is damaged and significant scarring

would be expected.

What laser is used at our studio?
We use the very latest Q-switched ND: YAG laser

which enables us to safely provide a complete range of

options for effective laser tattoo removal.

How are Q-switched ND: YAG lasers different to other lasers used for tattoo removal?
Q-switched ND: YAG lasers produce extremely short pulses of high-energy light. This light is absorbed strongly by the tiny particles of tattoo pigment but not to a large degree by the surrounding skin. The tattoo pigment particles heat up and break down into smaller particles; these minute particles are targeted by the body's own immune system and removed. Because the energy is selectively absorbed by the tattoo pigment, surrounding tissues are not heated up to such a high temperature and there is no lasting damage to the skin.

 

I have seen other light treatments offered for tattoo removal, what are these?
In some cases Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) systems are advertised for tattoo removal. These systems were designed to target melanin in hair follicles for hair removal and differ from tattoo removal lasers in producing non Q-switched energy. This energy is not delivered in such a way as to break-up the tattoo particles and much more heat is absorbed and accumulates in the skin tissue than is the case with our lasers. More energy in the skin equates to skin damage and an increased risk of scarring.