When tattoo ink is placed into the skin, it usually goes in to a depth of between 2-3mm into the dermis – the middle layer of skin. Over time the body tries to remove these ink particles by sending white blood cells to the place of the tattoo in order to try and break away the tattoo ink because they recognise the ink as foreign particles. When the white blood cells realise that the ink particles are too large to take away, the body locks the tattoo into place with collagen and this is what makes the tattoo permanent and remain in place for many years. So to get rid of the tattoo, it is essentially about breaking down the tattoo ink particles and this is what we use the laser for. When the laser comes into contact with the tattoo, the laser light is absorbed by the tattoo ink. This creates a photo acoustic shock wave that releases the heat from the tattoo and shatters it into minute particles (this is known as a photo mechanical effect). When the particles are shattered, they are then small enough to be carried away by the white blood cells and leave the body through the lymphatic system, then through the kidneys and out through your urine. It usually takes multiple laser sessions to break down all of the tattoo ink particles and the period of time between treatments allows the white blood cells to remove the broken down particles.

Our Nd: Yag Q-switch machine works with 2 wavelengths, 1064 nm and 532 nm, generating an extremely powerful pulse with very short emission times. The precision and consistency of the laser beam allows for very effective treatments in absolute safety. Without any doubts, the Q-Switched Nd:YAG 1064 nm/532 nm laser is the leading technology for laser tattoo removal. The mechanical effect of the laser fragments the ink in smaller components, which allows your immune system to process them naturally. With the 2 wavelengths a wide range of tattoos can be treated. The 1064 nm is most effective for the removal of dark inks such as black, dark blue and brown, while the 532 nm is effective for red, orange and purple tones.

The amount of pain felt during the laser tattoo removal treatment will very much depend on the type of tattoo you have and the amount of treatment required. Your own pain threshold is also needs to be taken into consideration. Some clients would describe it as no more than uncomfortable, whereas others will describe it as an elastic band flicked against the skin. The truth is that you will not know how painful you will find treatment until you try it!

Although there is a risk of scarring with any laser, in most cases, scarring is not a significant risk for laser tattoo removal. The only reason that laser tattoo removal has become associated with scarring is because the first lasers that were used for laser tattoo removal were very aggressive and therefore carried a very high risk of scarring. Nd YAG laser removes tattoo ink without harming surrounding skin tissue. Nd YAG Q-switched laser is the only method for removing the tattoo without any scar.

This depends on a number of factors such as the density and colour of the tattoo and the age of the tattoo. Amateur tattoos can be quick to remove, taking 1 to 6 treatments, whereas professional tattoos vary considerably and can take up to 15 treatments. We recommend you have your treatments every 6 to12 weeks. Treatment can take 10 minutes to 30 minutes depending on the size of the tattoo.

We can remove most body tattoos that are black, dark blue and brown, red, orange and purple tones. Pastel colours can be tough to remove as they are mixed with white ink which reflects the laser light. We can remove semi-permanent make-up on the brows and beauty spots but not the eyeline or lips.

Yes, it is extremely important to have a patch test 2 week prior to your first treatment. We get you to wait 15 minutes after your patch test to do our preliminary test patch review. We ask you to take a picture on day 3 and 7 to show when returning for your treatment.14 Days Later we do our final Test Patches Reviewed & First Full Treatment There are three reasons we do a patch test: 1) Within the patch test we will do three test patch at different levels, this will firstly help determine what level has the best result on your removal. If none of the levels show any removal, we would have to do a second patch test at a higher level, if this too shows no signs of removal, it mean we are unable to remove your tattoo. 2) We need to see how well your skin reacts to the tattoo and how it heals. It give you the change to see if you are happy with the process and checks you do not have any scarring. 3) Rarely, some individuals have a tendency to form immediate red “wheals” usually with a blanched (pale) central area – this is due to allergy to the fragmented ink. If this happens the area should be cooled and treated with an over the counter anti- histamine.If you have an allergic reaction to the tattoo ink It is important that you are excluded from any treatment. (Risk of possible anaphylaxis)

Unfortunately, not all treatments are for everyone. Please check our contraindications list to make sure you avoid disappointment. Conditions that would mean you were not able to have this treatments: Conditions affecting your Immune System • Previous Tattoo Removal Allergic Reaction • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) an autoimmune disease often referred to simply as “Lupus”. • Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis especially if treated with “Gold Injections” or Methotrexate • Any other known auto-immune disorder • Any other disease affecting your immune function e.g. following removal of your Spleen • Liver disease such as Hepatitis A, B, C • HIV Bleeding Abnormalities • Haemophilia, Von Willibrands Disease, Thrombocytopenia Blood Thinning Medication • Anticoagulants such as Warfarin, Heparin, Clexane Or Dabigatron • High doses of Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac (NB Prophylactic slow release Aspirin at 75 mg day or less is acceptable) Skin Conditions • Prone to Keloid or very thick scarring • Vitiligo or any other skin pigmentation problem • Psoriasis or eczema (on treatment area) Cancer treatment • Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) for Cancer • Chemotherapy/Radiotherapy for Cancer, Leukaemia, Myeloma or Lymphoma Other Conditions Where Fragmented Ink Particles Could Cause Harm • Currently Pregnant • Breast Feeding • Acute or Chronic Kidney Disease • Type 1 Diabetes & type 2 when on medication • Implants / Metal Plates/ or Pacemakers Conditions that need a doctor’s letter to confirm the treatment is suitable before treatments can begin: • Epilepsy • Transplant Anti-Rejection Drugs • Thyroid Disease • Heart Disease • Hypertension (High blood pressure treated with medication) • Cancer - after 12 months The list below is of things that require a waiting period until you can start treatments: • Active Herpes simplex (Cold Sores) - wait 2 weeks until its healed and use antiviral medication a few days before and continue a week after treatment • Acute fungal infections - Wait until the condition has cleared until having your treatment • UV exposure from sunbathing or sunbeds - wait 4 weeks before your starting your treatment and please note you cannot sunbath or go on a sunbed during your course of treatment • Chemical Peel, Microdermabrasion or Radio Frequency - wait 4 weeks before starting treatments and do not have in the area during your treatment course. • Medical Chemical Peels, Dermabrasion, Laser Skin Resurfacing or Face Lift at site of treatment - wait 6 months before starting treatments and do not have in the area during your treatment course. Drugs & Herbal Remedies • Fever Few or St John’s Wort - both of these herbs are photosensitising Recommend that the client stops taking the preparation and waits 4 weeks for the herb to be completely cleared from their system before treatment - otherwise client skin may be burned. • Over the counter pain relief e.g. non-steroidal Antiinflammatory/pain relief drugs such as Ibuprofen and/or Aspirin these must be allowed to clear from a client’s system before any treatment – suggest a delay of one – two weeks before treatment begins. • Prescribed a drug for a short term (course of less than six weeks) by their GP/Hospital The course should be finished and wait at least a further six weeks for any drug to be completely excreted from their system before having treatment. (Notable drugs that can cause problems during laser and or IPL use are Tetracycline antibiotics and steroids) • Prescribed a long term drug (a course lasting longer than 6 weeks) by their GP/Hospital The client should be referred back to the prescribing doctor for a letter of authorisation for the treatment to go ahead. Notable long term drugs that can cause problems are Ro-Acutane used in Acne treatments (specifically listed on Medical History form), Minocin which is an antibiotic (frequently used in long term Acne therapy) and Amioderone a drug used in Cardiology.

Before your treatment: • No sun-tanning or self-tanners 4 weeks prior to treatment o Includes spray tans, tanning lotions, tanning beds, sun exposure, etc. • Avoid treatments that may irritate the skin for 1-2 weeks prior to treatment (waxing, depilatories, etc.) • Notify clinic with any changes to your health history or medications since your last appointment • History of herpes or cold sores may require an anti-viral prescription prior to treatment if treating in the area that breakouts occur. After your treatment: • A cold compress will help reduce any swelling and take the “sting” out of the treated area • A soothing cream/lotion such as Aloe Vera may be applied to the treated area immediately after treatment • To avoid snagging on clothing, a sterile dressing may be applied to the treated area – but (if used) this should be changed every day by the client so that the treated area can be checked. • The client should be advised to keep the treated area away from strong sunlight for a few weeks or to use a sun protective cream (at least SP30) (This prevents over treating the skin’s natural melanin) • The most important consideration is that the treated area should be kept clean and dry but avoid very hot baths and showers. Use warm water and pat dry – do not rub. • Under no circumstances should the client “pick” at the blisters. These should be allowed to heal and flake away naturally. • If discoloured (honey coloured) oozing of the treated area takes place an antiseptic cream should be applied • If after 2 days there is still honey coloured pus – the client must seek medical attention / antibiotic treatment

• The area firstly becomes whitening and blistering and then “translucent” after 15- 20mins and the tattoo will be seen through the blistering. • You may wrongly believe that the whitening of the skin shows a complete removal of ink. • Oedema (slight swelling) may occur but should disappear within hours. • It is usual to see a “pink flush” of the skin around the treatment area. • Sometimes pinpricks of blood may appear at the surface of the skin. This will be “dabbed” with some cotton wool. • If the treatment area has a lot of “streaming” blood vessels this is usually because the client has been previously drinking alcohol • The area will heal over two weeks and any scabs will naturall fall off

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Our Nd: Yag laser machine by ecodiode is a CE Medical approved laser device which is not only effective but has a benefit to our planet. The machines have been designed to be low wastage and sustainable without compromising on power and performance. On the contrary it is more powerful and effective than many on the market. Tattoo removal only used vegan products.

Vicki Hexter Viktoria Zem Find out more about each therapist at Meet the Team(javascript:void(0))