Tattoo Removal North Vancouver

Laser energy is directed at the tattoo area, targeting the tattoo ink; this energy fragments the ink, allowing your body to absorb it and break it down naturally

Light pigmentations such as freckles. Ag spots, and sun marks disappear after a single treatment. Most pigment may disappear after two treatments. Fading can continue even after many months as the immune system processes the target pigment. Tattoo removal can require multiple sessions, depending on many factors, especially the color (s) used on the tattoo. Some tattoos require up to 12 treatments, with the tattoo fading after each treatment. Allow 4 to 8 weeks between treatments so that the immune system can rid the body of the pigment particles and the skin can heal from any side effects.

It can be for some individuals. The sensation can be described as like being snapped with an elastic band, or like spatter from hot oil. Many can tolerate the treatments, especially with simple numbing from the application of gel ice packs during the treatment. Some individuals prefer the use of a locally applied topical anesthetic cream to relieve discomfort. Some areas of the body are more sensitive than others. Small sun spots usually do not require much preparatory desensitization.

We do not recommend the use of numbing cream because we need to know your sensations during the treatment to avoid damage to your skin.

This is a safe and effective method for removing tattoos and age/ sun spots. It is performed by a qualified technician trained in the use of lasers. Special laser goggles are always worn by the patient and the technician to prevent possible eye damage by any dissipating radiation from the hand-piece.

Possible side effects include redness (erythema), edema, tissue carbonizing (temporary whitening), micro blood specks, bruising, blistering and possible crusting after the treatment. Blisters, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and even scarring can also occur after the skin heals. These effects can be mild or severe. The treated skin becomes red immediately after the pulsing, becoming more prominent after a few minutes. Depending on the type, micro blood specks and tissue carbonizing can also occur. These effects can last for a few hours or up to a week. However, they will diminish each day with proper after-care, which your technician will discuss with you.

We will conduct a consultation with you and review the pretreatment procedures. Usually a “patch test” is conducted on a small area of skin before a full treatment is performed, to observe how your skin reacts. If the pigment and the skin have reacted appropriately, a complete treatment can be done. The skin being treated must not be tanned. If the patient has a history of cold sores, an antiviral medication must be prescribed by a physician; this must be started the day before the laser procedure and taken for a few days afterwards. Patients who have received Accutane treatment for acne may not have laser treatment for at least six months (and possibly one year) after stopping Accutane.

The length varies depending on the size of the area being treated. A few age spots or a small tattoo may be treated in a few minutes: a large tattoo may require 30 minutes or longer. It will also depend on the frequency settings; higher frequencies allow the work to be done more quickly. Sometimes if the patient is more sensitive, more preparation time is required to cool the skin so as to relieve discomfort.

An antibiotic ointment and bandaging are applied immediately after the treatment. Redness, bruising, swelling, and pain in the tattoo area are common, from mild to severe, and can be present for up to a few weeks in some individuals. There can be blistering or scabbing as well, showing up 48 to 72 hours later. In about 20% of cases, a brownish discoloration (hyperpigmentation) can appear once the scan has fallen off. Normal pigmentation of the skin should be achieved within 2 to 5 months.

Patients are recommended to use cold gel ice packs to reduce redness and swelling and to relieve discomfort, and to apply antibiotic ointment and a gauze bandage to the treated area for a few days or up to 2 weeks, until all lesions are healed. Avoid scratching the area. It is important to protect the treated skin from the sun using a sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher. The more care you take to look after the skin, the better it will heal.

Most tattoos are considerably diminished, and many are completely removed. Some areas may show a “shadow” of the former tattoo, which gradually clears. Some tattoo pigment colors are more easily removed than others: the lighter colors are more difficult to remove. Other factors also affecting the results include age, pigment type, and pigment depth.