Laser Tattoo Removal Specialists

LASER TATTOO REMOVAL

People have many reasons for wanting a tattoo removed. These include a sense of embarrassment at what was a youthful impulse; dissatisfaction with the tattoo as it fades and loses its shape; feeling that it would prevent you from being promoted in your chosen career. The last point is particularly relevant in todays uncertain economic climate and an increasingly competitive jobs market. People are looking to stand out from the crowd but a tattoo isn't necessarily the best way of doing so. Unfortunately there is still prejudice towards body art and whilst attitudes are changing there are companies who look upon tattoos as less than desirable. If your tattoo is small and hidden under clothes then it is not a problem but tattoos which are highly decorative and visible may cause you problems. If you are finding this to be the case then tattoo removal is the answer.

How the laser tattoo removal works:

Why does the ink stay in the skin when you have a tattoo? - When you have a tattoo the particles of ink are too large for the body to destroy, so instead it encapsulates the particles of ink with a network of collagen fibres as the skin heals, and there the tattoo remains.

How does the YAG laser work to remove it?

The laser emits a pulse of light that is preferentially absorbed into certain colours of ink. The light enters the skin at a speed that is too fast to heat the tissues (billionths of a second), instead, it produces a ‘shock wave' effect and breaks up the ink particles into smaller pieces, the body then recognises these particles as something that shouldn't be there and attacks it. The particles are then removed naturally via the body's own elimination system.

Can you treat all colours?

No. Light is measured in nanometres and there are two wavelengths of light that are emitted from this laser - one is invisible infrared light(1064nm) and the other is visible green light(532nm). The infrared wavelength is preferentially absorbed into black and dark blue inks, whereas the green light is absorbed by red ink. It is possible to treat some other colours although white,yellow and bright colours are difficult. This is not usually a problem however, as lighter colours cover very easily. If you wish to cover up an existing tattoo then the darker colours will be faded or removed, allowing you greater choice of size and colour of the cover-up design you choose.

Why is it difficult to treat colours other than red and black?-

The light will only see the colour ink it is attracted to as different wavelengths absorb into different things. It is not possible to produce a laser that can see all colours as some wavelengths are too shallow when absorbed to affect the ink, others can absorb into other matter and damage the skin in the process. Another reason is that all ink pigments contain certain levels of heavy metals. Some pigments may have a higher concentration of some of these than others, and these heavy metals can react with the laser light and carbonise in the skin, turning the ink black. It is very difficult to remove the ink when this has happened so, if you have other colours you would like treating, the laser operator will perform a test patch for you to see if it is possible before proceeding.