Tattoo Removal Q-Switch ND YAG Laser

Tattoos are made using a motorised needle that pricks holes in a layer of your skin depositing ink into those holes. Your body surrounds the ink with collagen making the tattoo permanent.

The q-switch laser works by producing a high-powered energy beam which passes through skin into the ink. The nanosecond pulses break up the ink into tiny particles which are removed naturally by your body’s immune system. With every treatment, the laser breaks up each layer of ink allowing your body to repeat the removal process.

A laser tattoo removal consultation is required and should take no longer than 30 minutes. In the consultation the tattoo will be evaluated, the medical risks and benefits of laser tattoo removal will be thoroughly explained to you. We will establish a price per treatment and will identify an approximate number of treatments necessary.

The tattoo removal laser fires short bursts of energy which can feel a little uncomfortable. The pain will be no more than having the tattoo in the first place and has been described as being flicked with an elastic band. We provide a cooling system to reduce any discomfort as much as possible. After an initial consultation, we will require you to do a tattoo removal test patch. This test is to check that the laser and your body will react in a positive way to the treatment. This will need to be carried out at least one week before the treatment starts. As long as there’s no adverse reaction after the test patch, the tattoo removal treatment can continue.

Sessions can be anything between 10 to 45 mins depending on the size and colour of the tattoo which is being treated. Sessions are usually 8 weeks apart however due to the ongoing process of the breakdown of the ink the longer you leave in-between sessions the better the results, thus giving your body a chance to flush the ink out and recover from the trauma caused by the laser. A treatment plan will be provided during your initial consultation with evenly spaced out appointments to ensure consistency. 

This depends on the outcome required. For example, if the tattoo just needs to be faded slightly to allow for a cover-up it will require fewer sessions than if the tattoo is to be removed completely. The size and colour of the tattoo are also a factor in how many sessions are needed. Amateur tattoos can be quick to remove taking 1-4 sessions whereas professional tattoos can vary considerably and can take 8 -12 sessions.

These factors will be discussed and a rough idea will be given in the initial consultation appointment.

You will also be provided with before and aftercare advice during your consultation and Westend Laser Clinic will always be on hand if you need further advice on the healing process.

Laser tattoo removal is very safe as long as it’s performed by trained professionals on adequate machines. After the first session, the treated area may feel hot and will probably be red or swollen. Do not use any perfumed products on the skin for 48 hours. After treatment and when cleansing, use a good antibacterial soap. Protect your skin from the sun for the first two weeks after treatment, then use sunblock for the following 6 weeks. Cold compresses or Aloe Vera gel will help to sooth the area, do not use ice packs direct to the skin.

Very dark tattoos will probably remain swollen for a few days. Over the next seven days slight blistering may form followed by a scab or thin crust, any scabs or crusting should be allowed to fall off on their own or scarring may occur. Over the following few weeks the unwanted tattoo will start to fade, this is the body’s way of removing the unwanted ink particles.