Q-Switch Tattoo Removal

SPECTRA Laser Tattoo Removal uses laser energy to significantly lighten or completely remove your tattoo.

Ink particles are targeted by the laser energy and broken into small fragments that your body can absorb. Tattoo ink is heavily deposited deep into your skin, and as a result in order to completely remove the tattoo, multiple treatments are required

What to expect during your treatment

Some patients say they feel stinging, like the snap of a rubber band on the skin. Some patients do not require anesthetics. However, most patients feel more comfortable with a local numbing agent, such as a topical anesthetic. Your physician will apply the numbing agent and once it is working, treatment will commence. Application of laser energy to the target tissue results in a whitish color change in the treated areas.

Will my tattoo be completely removed

No two tattoos are alike; they vary in the type of ink used, colors, and depth of application. Black and red inks are generally the easiest to remove; blues and greens are moderate, while light colors such as yellow tend to be the hardest. Your physician will be able to tell you what type of results you can expect

How many treatments will I need

The number of treatments required for optimal results depends on the size, location, depth and color of the tattoo. Treatments should be performed 6 – 8 weeks apart in order to allow your body to remove the tattoo ink fragments.
As your body heals after each session you will notice our tattoo lightening; depending on the colors and inks used, some patients can see a complete removal of the ink.

How long are the treatments?

Each session usually takes 20 – 30 minutes and will depend on the size of the tattoo. However, if your clinician applies a numbing cream before hand, there will be extra time waiting for it to work.

Is there any downtime?

Redness, swelling, slight blistering, a little itching, and raised areas are extremely common and should be expected after treatment. The skin will feel tender and sensitive at first. It should take a maximum of two weeks for all of these responses to treatment to subside.

Does it hurt?

Unfortunately, tattoos are uncomfortable when inked on the skin and they are just as uncomfortable to remove. Your clinician can help minimise any discomfort by applying an anaesthetic cream on the area or by injecting a local anaesthetic. (Extra time will be needed for this) We can also use a cooling machine to reduce the sting of the laser treatment.