This treatment is available at: MIRA Clinic West Perth
Laser Tattoo Reduction
Learn how to fade those mistakes
Just as the popularity of inked skin is increasing, so is the practice of laser tattoo removal.
Many people get their first tattoos in their teens, then life changes and they become parents, they become more advanced in their careers and they often feel the tattoo is no longer representative of who they are or who they want to be. Sometimes changing a tattoo can be as simple as a change of fashion — tattoos from 10 or 20 years ago may not be so fashionable or so relevant today and might have a stigma associated with it.Dr Andrew Clark recently sat down with “The West Australian” newspaper to discuss laser tattoo removal click below to read the article in full.
Tattoos are meant to last forever, but sometimes it would be good if they didn’t! Whether you wish to erase a mistake or fade a tattoo to make way for better artwork, laser tattoo reduction may be the solution you are looking for.
At MIRA Clinic we have a medical class Laser called the “Enlighten 3” manufactured by Cutera. This is a Class 4 laser and in Western Australia this type of Laser can only be operated by a Laser qualified medical doctor or registered nurse in a Laser licensed premises. You can read reviews from clients who have had treatments with the Enlighten Laser here.
The laser sends a very short powerful beam of laser light through your skin and into your tattoo which causes the ink particles in the tattoo to be broken up into smaller particles. Each Laser pulse works on a few millimetres of your tattoo, so multiple pulses are needed to cover your tattoo. When the ink particles become small enough, cells in your body called macrophages are able to swallow the particles and these are slowly transported and excreted through your lymphatic system.
At your first consultation, we undertake to give you the best advice that we can based upon our extensive experience using this equipment. All clients are offered a no-obligation consultation to learn more about the treatment process and the expected outcomes. If you decide to go ahead with treatment it is usually possible to do so during the same appointment as the consultation (depending on the size of your tattoo).
Improvement may not be seen in the tattoo or lesion for up to six weeks after a treatment. These Laser treatments should normally be repeated at six-week intervals. Continued improvement can occur for several months after treatment.
The goal and purpose of the procedure is to attempt removal of the tattoo, or to make the pattern as unrecognisable as possible by lightening the pigment.
Improvement may not be seen in the tattoo or lesion for up to six weeks after a treatment. These Laser treatments should normally be repeated at six-week intervals. Continued improvement can occur for several months after treatment. The goal and purpose of the procedure is to attempt removal of the tattoo, or to make the pattern as unrecognisable as possible by lightening the pigment. In some cases, laser treatment fails to remove all pigment, especially from professionally applied tattoos or deep amateur tattoos. This particular Laser is effective on nearly all pigment colours including black, red, yellow, blue, green and purple.
Multiple treatments are generally required, and we are unable to warranty any particular result, and we are unable to offer any form of refund even if your results are not to an extent that you were hoping for. Nor can we offer any refund if you experience any form of side-effect.
Compliance with the aftercare guidelines is crucial for healing, prevention of scarring, and prevention of hyper-pigmentation. Aftercare guidelines include avoiding the sun for 2 months after each procedure. If it is necessary to be in the sun, a sunscreen with SPF 25 or greater must be used. Occasionally treatments will result in blistering or scab formation and will require care with dressings and anti-bacterial ointments while they are healing. Full details of how to care these outcomes are given to you at the time of your consultation.
FAQs
Laser Tattoo Reduction
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?
Although infection following treatment is unusual, infections can occur. Herpes simplex virus infections (cold sores) around the mouth can occur following a treatments close to this area. 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.
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