Tattoos, professionally applied or self applied with India ink, can all be removed with pigment lasers. Related uses of the pigment laser include removal of eyeliner, lip liner, and eyebrow liner, which are no longer wanted or have been incorrectly applied. The technology is now available to remove all tattoos virtually completely with absolutely minimal chance of complications such as scarring.

How do these treatments work?

The Q-Switched YAG and Alexandrite lasers are the newest generation of lasers for tattoo removal. They can significantly lighten or remove many tattoo inks. Q-Switched YAG is particularly advanced in the removal of blue, black and red inks whereas the Q-Switched Alexandrite laser is used mainly for removing green and aqua inks.

These lasers work by fading or removing tattoo ink with laser light energy. The light waves are attracted to the specific colours of the tattoos whilst passing through normal skin, without damaging it. Rapid absorption of the light energy causes the tattoo pigment to break into small particles that can be removed by the body's natural immune filtering systems.

What does the treatment involve?

The tattoo is anaesthetised and each colour treated with the appropriate laser wavelength. The number of treatments required depends on the depth and colour of the tattoo. Professional tattoos usually need six to ten treatments whilst amateur ones need only four to six treatments. Treatments are usually spaced about two months apart.

Dark blue, black, green and red ink fade most easily. Aqua, orange and purple respond well but yellow and white inks are the most difficult and may require extra treatment to give significant fading.

In many cases, there will be a 100% clearance of the tattoo. On average, 95% fading is considered a good result. The result depends upon the colour and type of ink used plus the depth of penetration of the ink in the skin.

see gallery photos