You will need to wait a minimum of 8 weeks in between sessions.
Skin healing: Laser tattoo removal causes controlled damage to the skin as it targets the tattoo ink. After the treatment, the body needs time to heal the treated area. Waiting weeks between sessions allows the skin to recover, minimising the risk of complications such as blistering, scarring, or infection.
Immune system response: Once the laser breaks down the tattoo ink into smaller particles, the immune system takes over to remove these particles from the body. This process requires time as the immune system gradually eliminates the fragmented ink. Waiting weeks between sessions gives the body ample time to clear away the targeted ink particles.
Treatment effectiveness: Laser tattoo removal is most effective when sessions are spaced out appropriately. Waiting weeks between sessions allows the body to fully respond to the treatment and clear out as much ink as possible. This interval ensures that subsequent sessions can effectively target the remaining ink, leading to better results over time.
Laser tattoo removal can cause varying degrees of discomfort, and the level of pain experienced can vary from person to person. Several factors influence the pain level, including individual pain tolerance, the size and location of the tattoo, the colours and type of ink used.
During the treatment: Most people describe the sensation as similar to the snapping of a rubber band against the skin accompanied by a warm or hot feeling. Some individuals may find it uncomfortable, while others may experience more significant pain. However, it's worth noting that the pain is usually tolerable and brief, lasting only for the duration of the laser pulse, which typically lasts a fraction of a second.
To manage the discomfort, you may apply a topical anaesthetic cream to numb the skin before the procedure. These creams can be purchased at your local pharmacy (e.g. Emla). You are welcome to bring and use an ice pack to cool the skin also.
After the treatment: It is common to experience redness, swelling, and a sensation similar to a sunburn on the treated area. These side effects are usually temporary and subside within a few days. We will provide instructions on how to care for the treated area after each session. We will do all that we can to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. Luckily, laser tattoo removal is a very quick treatment!
Before: Shave the area the day before treatment if the tattoo is in a hair baring area (if necessary). This is not needed for cosmetic brow tattoo removal. Optional: apply topical anaesthetic 30 – 60 minutes prior to treatment. Avoid aspirin, warfarin, ibuprofen or blood thinning medication.
First 24 hours after treatment: Apply a cold pack as needed, usually 5 – 10 minutes every 1 – 2 hours is sufficient. Rest, avoid excess physical activity. Limit exercise, steam rooms, saunas or swimming. Elevate the treated area if mild swelling present.
After 24 hours and until healed: It is important to use your recommended cream twice daily. All activities may be resumed except swimming, steam rooms, saunas (pedicures should also be avoided if tattoo is on the feet). Do not pop or pick any scabs or you may risk infection and scarring. Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds during the healing process.
Laser application: The laser technician uses a handheld device that emits short pulses of laser light onto the tattooed skin. The laser produces intense light energy that is selectively absorbed by the tattoo ink.
Ink absorption: The laser light is absorbed by the tattoo pigment, causing the ink particles to heat up rapidly. This thermal energy breaks down the larger ink particles into smaller fragments.
Fragmentation: As the laser light targets different colours of ink, various wavelengths may be used to effectively treat multicoloured tattoos. Different pigments absorb specific wavelengths of light, allowing the laser to break down the ink into smaller particles.
Immune system response: After the ink particles are fragmented, the body's immune system recognises them as foreign substances. The immune system then works to remove the ink particles through the lymphatic system.
When considering laser tattoo removal, it's important to have realistic expectations about the process and the outcomes. Here are a few key points to keep in mind:
Multiple sessions: Tattoo removal typically requires multiple treatment sessions. The exact number of sessions can vary depending on various factors such as the size, colour, depth, and type of ink used in the tattoo, as well as individual factors like skin type and how well your body responds to the treatments. On average, it can take anywhere from 5 to 15 sessions or more to achieve significant fading or complete removal.
85% of tattoos can be completely removed, however factors like the colours and types of ink used, as well as the depth of the tattoo, can affect the outcome. Some tattoos may leave a shadow or ghosting effect even after multiple sessions.
Gradual progress: Tattoo removal is a gradual process. After each session, you will need to allow time for your body to heal and the immune system to clear away the fragmented ink particles. The fading of the tattoo will occur over weeks or months as your body processes the ink.
Skin reactions and side effects: It's important to be prepared for potential side effects during the tattoo removal process. Common side effects can include redness, swelling, blistering, scabbing, and temporary skin color changes. These reactions are usually temporary and will heal with time.
Remember, every individual and tattoo is unique, so results can vary. By having open and realistic expectations, understanding the process, and working closely with us, you can better navigate your tattoo removal journey.
At FADE, we take pride in utilising the cutting-edge COSJET Hero Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser for our tattoo removal procedures. The COSJET Hero laser offers exceptional precision with its top hat beam profile, enabling the delivery of high-speed energy that effectively targets tattoo ink for optimised treatments. What sets the CosJet Hero apart from other Q-Switched lasers is its stable beam profile, ensuring consistent and successful breakdown of tattoo inks. This advanced technology makes the CosJet Hero one of the most advanced options available for tattoo removal.
We're happy to remove multiple tattoos per session. Fill in the tattoo enquiry form below, along with photos of all the tattoos you would like removed and we'll give you an estimate and how long your individual sessions will be so you can book in the future.
