Does the laser cause scarring?

Although there is a risk of scarring with any laser, in most cases, scarring is not a significant risk for tattoo removal with new lasers. Tattoo removal had become associated with scarring because the first lasers used for tattoo removal were very aggressive and carried a very high risk of scarring. The new lasers do not heat the surrounding skin significantly

and the risk of scarring is much reduced. The risk of

scarring is mainly associated with a genetic

pre-disposition to forming scar tissue and the

presence of resistant, green pigments.

Are there any other side-effects?
After each treatment, the area may blister; this is quite

normal and usually lasts only a few days. Once any

blisters or crusts have subsided, the skin around the

tattoo will look shiny for a number of weeks. Treatment

cannot be repeated until your skin has returned to

normal; this will usually take from 4 to 8 weeks.



Another possible side effect is skin de-pigmentation -

loss of natural skin colour. This is most likely with people

with dark skins and/or deep and recent suntans. For

this reason we will undertake a skin-type analysis during your initial consultation and advise you if, as a result of this analysis, we feel laser treatment is not suitable for you

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Is the treatment safe?
Q-switched ND: YAG lasers have been used around the world for more than 20 years and have been used safely and successfully on millions of tattoos, with the only problems encountered being those outlined above.