FAQ'S
&
ADVICE
FAQ'S
WHAT IS THE THE AW3 ND YAG LASER Q SWITCHED?
ND YAG stands for neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) which is a crystal that is used as a medium for laser treatments. In Q-switched mode, Nd YAG produces 2 wavelengths, one in the infrared range (1064 nm) and a second beam of 532 nm wavelength which is useful for superficial skin lesions. Q switching refers to the technique of making the laser produce a high intensity beam in very short pulses
WHAT SKIN TYPES CAN YOU TREAT?
We can Treat Skin Types 1-4 on the Fitzpatrick Scale for Laser tattoo removal and Carbon Facials.
WHAT COLOUR TATTOOS CAN YOU REMOVE?
In principle the laser can remove all kind of tattoos. Since all tattoos are not the same in terms of colour, depth of ink deposition as well as their chemical composition some may respond differently. Black, red dark orange and dark blue tattoos will typically respond better to treatment with laser. However Brown, purple, green, light orange, neon and light blue colours are harder to remove and will require more sessions.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Tattoo ink particles are too large for the body’s immune system to remove naturally because when tattoo pigment is injected into the lower layers of the skin (dermis) it becomes locked away by a wall of collagen fibres. Q-switched lasers produce very short bursts of high energy laser light. The light is absorbed by the large ink particles, generating heat that shatters the tattoo pigment into minute particles which the body is able to remove. Because the tattoo ink selectively absorbs the laser energy, the surrounding skin doesn’t overheat and there is no lasting damage.
HOW MANY SESSIONS ARE NEEDED?
Customers will see a reduction after the first treatment however to completely remove a tattoo depending on the ink colour and how deep it is in the skin, it could be between 3-5 treatments with intervals of 6 weeks between treatments. In some clients this more sessions may be necessary for complete removal.
WHEN WILL I SEE RESULTS?
Results can be observed immediately after the first session.
HOW LONG DOES THE TREATMENT TAKE?
This depends on the size of the tattoo; a small tattoo might take 5 minutes, where a large, or multiple tattoos could take an hour or more of treatment. Again, the assessment will provide this information
DOES IT HURT?
The level of pain felt will depend on the type of tattoos, the amount of treatment required and your own pain threshold. Some clients would describe it as no more than uncomfortable, where others will describe it as an elastic band flicked against the skin. The truth is that you will only know how painful you find it until you try it! We can offer advice on pain relief, which will be given during your assessment.
DOES THE LASER CAUSE SCARING?
Although there is a risk of scarring with any laser, in most cases, scarring is not a significant risk for tattoo removal with the ND Yag laser. Tattoo removal has become associated with scarring because the older generation of lasers used for tattoo removal were very aggressive and carried a very high risk of scarring. The ND Yag laser does not heat the surrounding skin significantly and the risk of scarring is much reduced. The risk of scarring is mainly associated with a genetic pre-disposition to forming scar tissue and the presence of resistant, green pigment. To reduce the risk, we carry out an extensive medical evaluation to identify high-risk clients.
PRE AND POST TREATMENT ADVICE
PRE TREATMENT
• Avoid exposure to sunlight, sun-beds and fake tan for at least 4 weeks.Â
• If the tattooed area is covered by hair, please shave the area 1 day prior to treatment.Â
• Do advise us of any change in medication.
AFTER TREATMENT
• If the skin has not broken, a dry sterile dressing will be placed over the treated area to protect it.Â
• The area will become raised and feel hot and can be cooled with the use of a cold compress, ice pack or a pack of peas from the freezer wrapped in a clean cloth. (Do not apply ice directly to the skin as this can cause a burn).Â
• As long as the skin is unbroken cooling products such as Aloe Vera gel can be used to give relief to the sunburn type feeling of the treated area.Â
• E45 cream, Aloe Vera gel or Vaseline can be used to relieve the itching which normally occurs 3-5 days after the treatment.
WHILST HEALING
• Avoid restrictive clothing.Â
• Avoid perfume or body lotions to the area.Â
• Avoid hot baths or continuous soaking.Â
• Avoid heat treatments such as saunas and steam rooms. Â
• Avoid swimming.Â
• Avoid lying in the sun or using sun beds.Â
• Avoid picking at any scabs.Â
• Avoid allowing the area to become scrapped.