Q-Switched Laser for Tattoo Removal

Fade. Clear. Move Forward.

Tattoo removal uses advanced laser technology to gradually break down tattoo pigment within the skin, allowing the body's natural immune processes to remove the fragmented ink particles over time.

Whether your goal is complete removal, partial fading for a cover-up, or correction of an older tattoo, treatment plans are tailored according to the size, colour, location, and age of the tattoo.

How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?

Tattoo ink is deposited deep within the skin where it remains visible because the pigment particles are too large for the body to remove naturally.

Laser tattoo removal works by delivering highly concentrated pulses of light energy into the tattoo pigment. These pulses fragment the ink into smaller particles, which can then be gradually cleared away by the body's immune system.

Different ink colours absorb laser energy differently, which is why some colours respond more readily than others and why multiple treatments are usually required.

Why Are Multiple Sessions Necessary?

Tattoo removal is a gradual process rather than a single treatment.

Each session breaks down a portion of the pigment, allowing the body time to remove the fragmented particles before the next treatment. Factors that influence treatment response include:

Tattoo colour
Ink density
Tattoo age
Professional versus amateur tattoos
Tattoo location
Individual immune response

Because every tattoo is unique, the number of treatments required varies considerably between patients.

Recovery and Healing

The skin requires time to heal and clear fragmented pigment between sessions.

During the healing period, patients may experience:

Mild redness
Swelling
Tenderness
Temporary crusting or scabbing

Appropriate aftercare is essential to support healing and reduce the risk of complications.

Because the immune system plays a significant role in pigment clearance, tattoo removal continues between treatment sessions.

Results and Expectations

Laser tattoo removal can significantly lighten or completely remove many tattoos, but outcomes vary depending on the characteristics of the tattoo and the individual's response to treatment.

Older tattoos often respond more readily than newer tattoos, and some colours may fade more effectively than others.

The goal of treatment is progressive improvement with each session while maintaining the health and integrity of the surrounding skin.

Frequently Asked Questions:

No. Tattoo removal is a gradual process and typically requires multiple sessions to achieve significant fading or complete removal.

Many tattoo colours can be treated successfully, however some pigments respond better than others. Black ink generally responds most predictably, while certain bright colours may require additional treatments.

The sensation of pain differs from person to person. Most of our clients associate the pain comparable to the pain when receiving the tattoo.

We recommend undergoing treatment no more frequently than every 6 to 8 weeks. This timeframe provides safe results and least likelihood of scarring. Also, 6 to 8 weeks gives the body enough time to eliminate the ink fragments and for the skin to heal before the next procedure.

As with other laser devices, picosecond lasers can be relatively contraindicated in patients with darker skin tones (ie, Fitzpatrick 4–6). These patients are more susceptible to side effects of tattoo laser treatment. However, Picosecond Q-Switch Nd: YAG Lasers used for tattoo removal require fewer treatments, cause fewer side effects, and result in reduced post-procedural downtime compared to the older nanosecond Q-switched lasers. They can clear some tattoos that are refractory to other forms of laser therapy, and there is a reduced risk of causing scarring and hypopigmentation.

References:

Ali, F.R., & Al-Niami, F. (2018). Picosecond Laser. Dermnet NZ. Retrieved from: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/picosecond-laser/

Saad, A.M., & Abdullah, A.A. (2017). Tattoo Removal using (1064 nm and 532 nm) Q-Switched Nd: YAG Laser. J Fac Med Baghdad, 59(3) 217-220. https://www.iasj.net/iasj/download/fa42576e685482c1

Torbeck, R., Bankowski, R., Henize, S., Saedi, N. (2016). Lasers in tattoo and pigmentation control: role of the PicoSure^® laser system. Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, 9, 63-67. https://www.dovepress.com/lasers-in-tattoo-and-pigmentation-control-role-of-the-picosureacircreg-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-MDER

Collections: Body Procedures, Laser Procedures

Category: Laser Tattoo Removal

Next Previous