Tattoo Removal: FAQ's
Does it hurt?
The process is very similar to being tattooed, however a topical anaesthetic is applied which makes the procedure much more comfortable.
If you tattoo the removal cream in does this mean it gets left in the body rather than the tattoo?
No, the removal cream is designed to bond to and absorb the tattoo ink and extract the ink to the skin surface. It does not replace the tattoo and it does not remain in the skin. It is not a skin coloured cover up tattoo.
How many treatments will it take to remove my tattoo?
On average most tattoos can be removed in three to four treatments depending on location. Very new/old cover up tattoo’s may require additional treatments because of higher ink levels. Older tattoos have more bonding to surrounding skin tissue and may also require extra treatments. Large tattoos or leg / arm bands require treatments in sections. We normally recommend that a maximum continuous single area of two square inches (5cm2) is treated to minimise discomfort after treatment, if you require a larger area to be treated then please discuss this with us.
I have a home made tattoo, will this system work on that?
Yes, usually the ink in home made tattoos is less resilient than that used in professionally applied tattoos and can be removed very easily, however unlike professional tattoos ink depth can be very random which may make additional treatments necessary.
How soon will I see results?
The remover begins to work immediately, during treatment ink will rise to the surface discolouring the remover. The crust that forms will also take on the colours of the underlying tattoo. After the crust falls away the skin can be quite red and may also slightly be raised, these effects should then diminish over a period of months for the skin to start fully returning to normal, in some case this can take longer depending on the treatment location and client health.
Can I have this treatment when pregnant or breast feeding?
No due to a risk of post treatment infection, it is not advisable to take antibiotics when pregnant or breast feeding.
I have yellow, red, blue colours in my tattoo does it work on these?
Yes the process acts upon all coloured pigments equally, unlike laser which is less effective against certain pigments. The success rate of a tattoo colour removal is 100% for permanent make-up and over 92% for body tattoos, much higher than the success rate of laser treatment*
Will it leave a permanent scar?
While the risk of scarring is relatively small there is always a risk, only you as an individual can decide if the potential benefit outweighs the risk. If you did not suffer any complications when the tattoo was originally applied, do not suffer keloids and the treated area is cared for properly then the risk of scarring should be minimal. Please discuss this further with us.
Can I have this treatment if I’ve had laser treatment?
It is possible to have this treatment after or in combination with laser or other treatments. Laser treatments can cause some sub dermal scarring and can also change the chemical composition of the inks making the remover less effective, however there may also be less remaining ink to remove.
Do you guarantee complete tattoo removal?
Every individual tattoo is unique some will respond better than others to particular treatments. Therefore no guarantee can be made on the likely success of the treatment. The published success rate of tattoo colour removal is 100% for permanent make – up and over 92% for body tattoos*, better than any other currently available tattoo removal technique.
How frequently can I have the treatment?
It will generally take about two weeks from the initial treatment for the crust to fall away, normally after around eight to twelve weeks the area is healed sufficiently to be re-treated.
* Quoted figures are based on trails of a series of 98 patients published in cosmetic dermatology April 2001. It should be noted that more conservative methods have been developed since that used during trials. During the trail tattoo and permanent make removal was attempted in one session using multiple passes of tattooing and cream application (6-10 times). No subsequent treatments were administered after the healing process to attempt removal of any remaining pigment. Current method use the same principle technique however only one or two passes are involved per treatment reducing discomfort and the potential chance of scarring.