At Oolala Cosmetic & Laser Clinic we offer Tattoo Removal via Laser and Chemical Peel method.
Laser Tattoo Removal
For a permanent tattoo removal procedure, laser tattoo removal has proven to be an effective treatment option. Laser technology utilizes different heat frequencies penetrating at alternate wave lengths and pulse types to create a breakdown, and eventual removal of the tattoo ink.
How does Laser Tattoo Removal work?
The most popular laser technology available for tattoo removal is the Q-switch laser technology. Q-switch lasers utilise a number of alternate wave-lengths to penetrate and attract all colours on the spectrum. Black tattoos, red ink tattoos, tattoos comprised of different colours, the size of the tattoo, the type of ink and the skin tone make a difference in the laser method selected for tattoo removal. The Quanta Q-switch laser technology utilises a unique square flat top applicator tip to easily control the degree of overlapping and reduce the risk of over-treating the skin. The energy from the Q-switch laser is delivered using thermal/heat waves measured in nanoseconds or one billionth of a second. The Quanta Q Plus C has three separate lasers incorporated into the machine including 1064nm, 532nm, and 694nm.
The Quanta Q-switch delivers a photoacoustic effect targeting the ink and pigment with minimal thermal interaction, thus leaving the surrounding skin preserved. These fragmented ink particles are then removed via the phagocytosis process initiated by the body’s response to the laser treatment.
Is Laser Tattoo Removal Laser Tattoo Removal painful?
The method of pain maintenance also varies from person-to-person depending on the patient’s level of pain tolerance. Options include no anaesthesia or a topical anaesthetic such as a numbing cream, or simply ice packs and post treatment cooling used to numb the treatment area. Once the method of pain control is chosen and applied, the laser will be held up next to the skin where it will deliver laser energy into the skin via short pulses. This treatment causes the skin to look “frosted”, a side effect of the laser treatment that will only last temporarily. It is not uncommon to experience purpura (bruising under skin from blood vessels) especially if you have a sensitive skin type. You should also be aware that some degree of hair removal will need to occur in the treated area to more fully access the surface area of skin to be treated.
Laser Tattoo Removal Aftercare
After completion of your tattoo removal treatment, your Laser technician might choose to apply a soothing ointment, and will then apply a dressing to the treatment area. There are no special instructions to follow before your laser tattoo removal procedure, however, as with all procedures, you will want to stop smoking 4 weeks before and after your treatment to increase wound healing capabilities. It is also important that you avoid excessive sun exposure for 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after your laser treatment as the laser technology will heighten your skin’s sensitivity causing it to be hypersusceptible to adverse side effects. Keep the area clean and dry during the healing process. Your Laser technician may recommend an antibiotic ointment or silicone topical cream to apply to aid in wound healing such as Stratamed. Be careful not to pick at peeling scabbing skin as picking could potentially lead to scarring. Following your laser tattoo removal treatment, you may apply a cold compress to alleviate swelling, bruising, and discomfort during this time.
Successive treatments, however, are not begun until the tattoo is healed. Recovery only takes about a week, but you will likely need to wait a minimum of 8 weeks or until treated area is healed between sessions. This is something you will discuss in more detail with your tattoo removal specialist.
Would I be Considered an Ideal Candidate for Laser Tattoo Removal?
Most unwanted tattoos can be removed through laser tattoo removal, but those who have fairer skin and/or an old tattoo already having experienced some degree of fading make ideal candidates for tattoo laser removal. It is also helpful to have a good immune system as the tattoo removal process is lengthy and commonly requires multiple sessions before full removal is complete. Also, the pigment is flushed out through your lymphatic system, meaning that being in good health is highly important to your candidacy.
Unfortunately, laser tattoo removal is more difficult to complete on darker skin tones. Darker skin tones run a greater risk of developing hyper/hypo-pigmentation than those with lighter skin tones. It is also not a recommended procedure for those with a history of skin hypersensitivity, scarring (especially keloids), or skin infections. If you do not believe that you would be an ideal candidate for laser tattoo removal, speak with your Laser Technician about other tattoo removal options.
What are the Pros and Cons of Laser Tattoo Removal?
Laser tattoo removal is a highly effective way of non-surgically removing your unwanted tattoo. It also carries minimal side effects making it an ideal way to address your tattoo regret.
Unfortunately, laser tattoo removal is not a quick process. It requires multiple treatments to see results and you risk developing discoloration, hyperpigmentation, and possible scarring as a result of the procedure. To reduce the risk of potential scarring at Oo La La Cosmetic & Laser Clinic we can combine our Q-switch Laser Tattoo Removal treatment with our Quanta You Laser which allows excess heat to escape from the skin and reduce the risk of blistering and scarring.
Side Effects
While the side effects of laser tattoo removal are often very minimal, side effects can include: blisters, bruising, scabbing, scarring, swelling, discomfort, itching, skin discoloration, infection, and tenderness. Dark skin, especially, is prone to discoloration issues as the laser technology is attracted to the darker pigment such as found in tattoos.
How much does Laser Tattoo Removal treatment cost?
Laser tattoo removal prices will vary dependant on the size of the tattoo, prices can start from $120 per treatment and will be priced upon consultation.
Alternative Tattoo Removal Method
Magic E Pen
This method consists of making small dots to remove the pigment of the tattoo spaced approximately 5mm apart between each dot.
Advantages
on average less sessions are required, therefore it is a quicker process. The average is between 3-4 sessions
This method is “colour blind”. This means it can remove tattoos with different colours efficiently as the tattoo is injected with a patented solution.
How does it work?
This technique is a modern take on an old tattoo removal technique, which uses the theory of partial thickness wound healing in modified form. Medical grade micro needles are used and set to precisely penetrate the skin to inject patented solution to strip the ink from the treated skin tissue. The penetration depth is facilitated by the use of the micro needles.
The needles facilitate the penetration to a defined depth of the dermis. The Skin treated goes into healing mode. Scabs may form over the treated area. These scabs usually come off anywhere between 7-14 days after your treatment. It is important not to pick any scabs off and let the skin heal naturally. Any untreated area of your tattoo will still have ink present in the skin.
Once the treated area has healed, more treatment sessions may be required take place in an adjacent area of tattoo pigmented skin, using the same technique. In this manner, the whole area of the tattoo may be progressively and sequentially covered and removed. Normally this process requires 3-4 sessions.
Do I need to prepare for this treatment
The area to be treated must be clean and shaven.
Is any anesthesia or numbing required
In most cases no anesthesia is required. The needle used is adjustable, limits the scar and are deep enough to reach the tattoo pigment. Consequently, in 3 or 4 sessions, the whole area of the tattoo is treated.
Possible consequences of the treatment
Chemical Peel method
Laser tattoo removal is not for everyone; there are those who’d prefer other methods, including chemical peels and topical creams. While topical tattoo removal creams cannot guarantee complete removal of unwanted tattoos, Rejuvi sets itself apart from the other tattoo removal treatments and it’s all in how it’s administered.
Rejuvi Tattoo Removal
How it works
Rejuvi is a liquid solution that is needled into the dermis layer to extract the tattoo ink using either a professional skin needling device or tattoo gun. The Rejuvi solution works by softening the ink and by triggering the body’s immune system to respond to the foreign substance by expelling the solution and the ink out of the superficial skin through the formation of a scab. Once the scab falls off in about 10 to 25 days, the ink from the tattoo should have faded. To be more specific, this extraction technique uses multiple inorganic oxides. When the formula is needled into the skin the solution penetrates and bonds with the tattoo pigments and those pigments merge with the formula over a period of time. The solution is designed not to remain in the skin, so the skin repels and ejects the formula to the skin’s surface resulting in a protective scab/crust to form. The scab/crust will then peel off, taking the pigments from the tattoo with it.
Which areas can Rejuvi treat?
Rejuvi can be used to treat the following:
• Tattooed lip liners and eyebrows (the delicate eye area cannot be treated)
• Body tattoos
How long does the treatment take?
The treatment time will vary dependant on the size of the tattoo but can be as little as 5 minutes. The Rejuvi treatment is designed only to remove small tattoo areas at a time. The Rejuvi Tattoo Removal treatment heavily relies on the skins natural healing process to return the skin to its pre-tattoo health and therefore it will only be applied to small areas. For large tattoos the tattoo will be broken down into smaller areas and worked on individually. We highly recommend consulting with your treating technician prior to your treatment to determine whether Rejuvi is a potential treatment option for you.
How much does a Rejuvi Tattoo Removal treatment cost?
The treatment cost will depend on the size of the tattoo but can start from a little as $80 per treatment.
How does it differ from other tattoo removal methods?
Unlike do-it-yourself creams, which aren’t very effective, Rejuvi produces results. This is because the solution is injected into the skin and binds directly with the ink. Due to the nature of this treatment, the treatment must be performed by a trained medical professional. What is in the Rejuvi solution? The Rejuvi remover is inorganic thus it cannot be absorbed or broken down by the body. It is a mild alkaline solution (9.5-9.8 pH) and many of the ingredients can be found in common food and cosmetic products. Some of the ingredients include Water (carrier solution), zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide (inorganic oxides to bond with pigment particles), n-propanol (solvent for drying), Triethlaomine (PH balancer), benzoic acid (Product preservative). Only a very small amount of solution is required per treatment typically less than 2-3ml most of which does not penetrate the skin, exposure is minimal and chemical concentrations in the solution presents little or no risk.
What to expect from the Rejuvi treatment?
Rejuvi is a more natural approach to tattoo removal and enables the body to remove the ink on its own natural process of desquamation. This method, which is applicable to all tattoo colours, is cheaper and less painful than laser tattoo removal. However, topical numbing cream can be applied prior to treatment to make the treatment more comfortable. In order to achieve full removal multiple treatments may be necessary. Though the number of treatments required depends largely on where the tattoo is located and its size, when applied properly, tattoos can be removed in one to seven treatment and effectively can treat permanent and semi-permanent makeup can be removed in as little as 1-3 sessions. The interval between treatments is usually 2-3 months depending on the wound healing of the treated area. It should be noted that treatment recovery will vary dependant on the treated area, location, age, method and type of ink. Complete treatment recovery can take up to 2-3 months for permanent makeup and 3-6 months for body tattoos. Patients who undergo this form of tattoo removal treatment should expect localised and referred redness, localised swelling, tenderness, crusting/scabbing, itching and whitening in the treatment area. This will gradually diminish and the skin will return to its normal colour following 2-8 weeks post treatment. To avoid possible risks of scarring and skin discolouration, strict aftercare needs to be adhered to.
Why is aftercare important?
Needling the Rejuvi solution into the tattoo is only half of the process for this method of tattoo removal. Once the solution has bonded to the tattoo inks it needs to be expelled by the body, which can take time. As the body pushes the ink to the surface of the skin it forms a scab over the surface of the tattoo. To prevent infection and reduce the risk of any scaring it is important that the treated area is kept dry and clean at all times. Immediately after your treatment, you may be required to keep the area dry from any moisture for 3-5 days. Moisture is susceptible to increase bacteria growth and by keeping the treated area dry at all times will reduce the possible risk of infection. The Rejuvi process also needs the scab to dry out and fall off naturally in order to get the best results and reduce the risk of scarring. Like normal scabs that can leave scars if picked, due to the Rejuvi cream penetrating the skin at a greater depth than the average graze, any picking of the scabbed area impairs wound healing and therefore, heightens the risk of scarring and skin discolouration. Once the scab has fallen off, new fresh pink skin is formed and to increase the healing process and reduce post treatment redness patients are strongly advise to apply silicon based topical creams and serums to accelerate healing and reduce associated risks.
If Rejuvi sounds like a potential treatment option for you, or if you’d like to discuss other tattoo removal methods such as like laser tattoo removal, book a consultation with one of our laser tattoo removal specialists.
Get In Touch
For more information about laser tattoo removal, please call us on (07) 5539 9534 or contact us to arrange a consultation at our Surfers Paradise location.
