Although many lasers are advertised to remove tattoos, scarring and incomplete removal of the tattoo are extremely common. It is for this reason that dermatologists at Lasermed have selected a Q Switched ND YAG.

• Q-switched ND YAG
• Laser = light = heat
• Heat shatters the ink of the tattoo
• Ink particles are drained via the lymph system
• Laser is attracted to dark objects


• Black, blue and green respond well
• Red, orange and yellow may fade
• Laser shatters ink of tattoo
• Ink particles are drained via lymph system
• Apply Emla cream or take Myprodol prior to treatment


• Tattoo will fade unevenly


• 3 to 15 treatments are needed, although one cannot guarantee to remove a tattoo completely
• Wait minimum of 6 weeks between treatments (skin must heal properly)
• Apply anti-septic cream afterwards
• Avoid the sun and sun beds afterwards

Price quoted is for each session

Please be patient; this is a long process

• Amateur Tattoo: 3 to 6 treatments
• Professional Tattoo: 6 to 15 treatments
• Cosmetic Tattoo: 2 to 6 treatments (patch test firstly)
• Traumatic Tattoo: 2 to 6 treatments
• Medicinal Tattoo: 2 to 4 treatments

Wait 6 weeks between treatments

The Q Switched ND YAG laser is the newest development of quality-switched laser. Undesirable tattoos can now be effectively removed without scar formation or pigmentary changes. The laser will shatter tattoo ink into small particles, which will be cleared by lymph drainage. The number of treatments will be determined by the quality, colour and age of the tattoo. Our experienced laser operators will discuss your requirements and expectations, to achieve desirable results.

What type of laser will be used to remove my tattoo and how does it work?

The laser treatment is performed with the Q Switched ND YAG laser. The laser utilizes the latest laser technology to significantly lighten or completely remove your tattoo with minimal pain, little inconvenience, and few side effects. The laser emits a tiny, powerful beam of invisible light which passes harmlessly through normal skin, but is absorbed by the ink of the tattoo. As the ink particles absorb the energy, they break up into tiny fragments. Your body's natural cleansing system, called phagocytosis, then removes these fragments and the tattoo gradually fades away.

What kinds of tattoos will this laser remove?

The Q Switched ND YAG laser significantly lightens and removes many types of professional and amateur tattoos. It is particularly successful with tattoos made of blue, black, and green ink. This includes tattoos that have been applied as permanent cosmetics such as eye or brow liners. Due to the ingredients in cosmetic tattoos a patch test must be done firstly as there is a risk of the ink becoming darker. It is also effective for traumatic tattoos resulting from an injury.

Why is this laser treatment better than other methods of tattoo removal?

Other treatment options for the removal of unwanted tattoos include surgical excision (cutting the tattoo out), dermabrasion (sanding the tattoo out), salabrasion (using table salt to abrade the tattoo), chemical peels, as well as other laser modalities. These methods often produce unsatisfactory results because they replace the tattoo with a scar. The Q Switched ND YAG laser is non-invasive, gentler and safer because it uses a principle known as selective photothermolysis. This means that the laser targets only the tattoo ink in the skin. Adjacent tissues are unaffected by the treatment.

How many treatment sessions are required to remove a tattoo?

The number of treatment sessions required depends on several factors. These include the age of the tattoo, its size and location, the depth of the ink in the skin, and the type and colour of the ink used. In most cases amateur tattoos require fewer treatments than professionally applied tattoos.

Although the recommended treatment is 4 - 8 weeks experience has found that longer intervals are more appropriate for certain skin types. The removal of a tattoo is a long process and clients are advised to be patient.

Is the treatment uncomfortable?

Most patients describe the sensation of the treatments as a series of rubber band snaps to the skin. When the laser is pulsed, an initial warm, stinging sensation is experienced, but this quickly subsides. The majority of patients tolerate this slightly uncomfortable sensation without anaesthetics. However, for patients with low tolerance levels, topical anaesthetics or oral sedatives may be used.

What will the area look like following treatment?

Immediately following laser treatment, the skin will have a white discoloration, this indicates a gaseous exchange between the heat of the laser and the ink of the tattoo. The area surrounding the tattoo will be reddened and some swelling will occur. These reactions are normal and will disappear over time. Maximum fading of the tattoo will occur in the four to six week healing period between treatments. After a complete recovery, your skin will look and feel normal. However, a tattoo may fade for up to 6 months after one treatment as ink particles continue to break down and are absorbed by the lymph system. The laser operator can show you before/after photos. Tattoo removal can be very challenging, and guarantees cannot be made - especially for dark, large, complex tattoos. However, the favourable result that can be obtained through multiple treatments and healing time can totally erase an unwanted tattoo.

Will there be any "side effects"?

In most cases, the laser treatment leads to complete removal of the tattoo without significant side effects. However, since the ink used in tattoo parlours is not regulated, some patients may encounter only partial clearing after multiple treatment sessions. Occasionally, hypopigmentation (whitening) of the skin may also result. However, normal skin colour should return within six to twelve months after treatment.

What type of expense will be incurred?

The procedure costs depend on the size and number of tattoos to be treated. This will be determined during the initial consultation with Laser operators. Laser treatment for tattoos, however, is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not usually covered by most insurance policies.