Will the laser tattoo reduction treatment cause scarring?

Yes, there is a risk of scarring, but scarring does not usually occur as a result of this treatment. The risk of scarring (in particular raised scars) despite proper laser treatments exists in all cases, but can be reduced by carefully following your after care instructions, and by notifying our clinic if any problems develop. Scarring is more likely to occur if after care advice is not followed. Scarring may already be present as a result of the initial tattoo process and then become visible once the ink starts to fade.

What are the side effects?

Short-term effects may include reddening, mild burning, temporary bruising or blistering. Pinpoint bleeding is rare but can occur following treatment procedures. A brownish/red darkening of the skin (known as hyperpigmentation) or lightening of the skin (known as hypopigmentation) may occur. This usually resolves in weeks, but it can take up to 3-6 months to heal. Permanent colour change is a rare risk. Loss of freckles, or other pigmented lesions, as well as hair, can occur in the treatment area.

Allergic Reactions following treatment is extremely rare, but there have been reports of hypersensitivity to the various tattoo pigments during the tattoo removal process especially if the tattoo pigment contained Mercury, cobalt or chromium. Upon dissemination, the pigments can induce an allergic reaction that can occur with each successive treatment.

Textural and/or colour changes in the skin can occur and can be permanent. Many of the cosmetic tattoos and body tattoos are made with iron oxide pigments. Iron oxide can turn red-brown or black. Titanium oxide and other pigments may also turn black. This black or dark colour may be un-removable. Because of the immediate whitening of the exposed treated area by the laser, there can be a temporary obscuring of ink, which can make it difficult or impossible to notice a specific colour change from the tattoo removal process.

Is it possible to get an infection after laser tattoo reduction treatment?

Should any type of skin infection occur, additional treatments or antibiotics may be necessary. Please contact us if you have any concerns that any of these problems may be occurring.

How many treatments will be necessary to achieve desired results?

Multiple treatments are generally required for maximum fading or clearing depending on the amount of pigment, depth of pigment and other factors. We will give you the best estimate we can on the typical number of treatments you may need based on our experience but this estimate does not constitute any kind of guarantee.

No warranty or assurance will be made as to the final results that may be obtained. Complete tattoo removal is not always possible as tattoos were meant to be permanent and sometimes the best we can achieve is a fainter appearance of the original tattoo pattern.

Are there any other risks?

There is a risk of accidental eye injury if struck by any laser beam. This is unlikely since complete eye protection is provided at all times during laser treatments. We require you to follow your doctor’s instructions and to wear the provided eye protection and to not remove it until your doctor says it is safe to do so.

Does it hurt?

Most clients describe the sensation as being hit several times with a rubber band, in other words it is like a sting followed by a sensation of warmth. At Naked Skin Tattoo Removal we advise you to purchase a tube of emla cream from us. Emla is an anaesthetic cream which you apply thickly on the area you wish to remove. It is recommended to apply it 1 hour before the treatment and cover it with Gladwrap. Before and during the treatment, ice will be applied in the area to help with the discomfort.