Tattoo Removal FAQ

Laser Tattoo Removal

Our patients have many different reasons for wanting to have a tattoo removed or lightened. Some patients have gotten a tattoo in the past and now feel it does not represent who they are anymore. We also have many valued patients who truly love tattoos, such as tattoo artists and their clients. They come to see us because they want to remove or lighten an existing tattoo in order to make room for a new one. No matter what reason you may have for wanting to get rid of your tattoo, we are here for you.

There are many common misconceptions about tattoo removal. People think it is very expensive, it is extremely painful, it leaves scars, etc. Our goal is to de-bunk all of those myths and provide you with a place to remove your unwanted tattoos quickly and easily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Laser Tattoo removal is a cosmetic procedure that removes unwanted tattoos on the body with therapeutic laser technology. At Dr Takhar's cosmetic clinic Cosmetic Clinic, the laser platform used is the MedLite® C6, one of the most advanced laser platforms in cosmetic surgery today.

Who is laser tattoo removal for?
Laser tattoo removal is suitable for men and women who no longer wish to have an existing tattoo on their body. Ideal candidates are those who have no skin problems in the area the tattoo is located, such as keloid scarring or a skin disorder, and have realistic expectations of the procedure.
Those with a history of abnormal scarring may not be suitable for laser tattoo removal.

Does it hurt?
Laser tattoo removal is far less painful than other more traditional methods of tattoo removal. Similar to other procedures involving lasers, such as laser hair removal, many patients have compared laser tattoo removal to the light snapping of rubber bands against the skin. It may slightly sting, but it is not as painful as surgical methods. A topical anesthetic may be applied prior to the procedure to alleviate any discomfort.

How long does each session take? How many are required to achieve results?
This depends on several factors, including the size, color and depth of the tattoo. The number of sessions required to achieve desirable results depend on these same factors as well. During a consultation with our patient consultant, you'll get a better estimate of the length of each session for you, which can range anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours. Some colors do react better to the laser tattoo removal procedure. Darker colors, such as blue and black, tend to fade more quickly than lighter colors such as orange and green.

Tell me about the procedure.
Laser tattoo removal works on a fairly simple premise. The device used during the procedure, the MedLite® C6 emits a laser at a specific wavelength. Directed at the unwanted tattoo, the laser penetrates the skin to target the dye(s) of the tattoo. This breaks up the dye into particles, which are then eliminated by the body in the time following a session. The laser device has not been designed to target the skin â€" just the tattoo dyes.

How many treatment sessions will it take to remove the tattoo?
Professional tattoos may require 1-10 treatments, with the average being 5-10 treatments. Homemade tattoos usually require 1-4 treatments. All treatments are spaced about two months apart or longer. The number of treatments depends on the amount of ink used, the type of ink used, the depth of the ink in the skin, the location of the tattoo, and the patient's individual health considerations.

Do all colors of ink disappear equally as well?
No, dark (blue/black) inks and red inks fade the best. Oranges, yellows, and purples usually respond well. Green, light teal/sky blue, inks are the most difficult to remove, although additional treatments can produce excellent results.

Will the tattoo completely disappear?
In many cases, yes. However, it is very important to know that over 100 tattoo inks are in use worldwide today, none of which are regulated by the FDA. Not knowing which tattoo ink, how deep or how much was used, makes it difficult to predict the degree of removal on any given tattoo.

What is the recovery like?
Immediately after a session, treated skin may be sensitive. As with all treatments using lasers, the treated skin should be protected from sun exposure. There is hardly any downtime related to laser tattoo removal. You should be able to go back to work or resume regular activities immediately after the procedure.

How far apart are the treatments?
Your body needs time to break down the tattoo ink pigments after each laser treatment. This is a slow process, therefore you will typically schedule each treatment a minimum of 6 weeks apart.

What will my skin look like after each treatment?
Your skin will most likely be red and feel like it has mild sunburn. This typically goes away after a couple of hours. There may also be some bruising. At times and with certain inks, there may be mild blistering that usually heals in about a week. After each treatment you will be given detailed instructions on how to care for your treated area.

When will I see results?
You will notice a gradual fading of the tattoo in the time following each session. Do not expect results to be immediate, as the dyes used in the unwanted tattoo are eliminated by the body in a natural process. How fast a tattoo fades depends on an individual's body and health.

What are the risks?
Like all cosmetic and medical treatments, there are risks related to laser tattoo removal. Aside from increased sensitivity, rare risks include hyperpigmentation, infection and pinpoint bleeding.

So, how does it work?
The MedLite C6 Laser directs an intense beam of light at the tattooed skin in short bursts. These pulses of laser light pass through the top layers of the skin to reach the ink of the tattoo, which absorbs the laser. This breaks the ink up into tiny particles. The body then can eliminate the dispersed ink naturally by the immune system, much in the same way it eliminates toxins and excess fluids. Therefore, age and overall health play a role in the laser tattoo removal process.
The type of tattoo, size, colour of ink, and its depth will all influence how many sessions of laser tattoo removal are required. For example, darker colours like black, red and blue will require less sessions than lighter colours like yellow and green. These factors may also influence how long the body takes to naturally rid of the fractured ink particles. Although you may not notice an immediate reduction in the appearance of the tattoo, it will gradually fade over the course of a few weeks with the body's help. However, several sessions are most likely required to achieve desired results. During your consultation, the doctor will be able to give you a better estimate, but as a general guideline, expect to book anywhere from 6-15 sessions spaced several weeks apart.

Currently, laser tattoo removal is considered the safest and quickest treatment available in the field of cosmetic surgery. The method is much unlike other treatments that often required surgically removing the tattooed skin through abrasive means. Laser tattoo removal also results in the least amount of scarring, if any.