When you have a tattoo the particles of ink are too large for the body to destroy, so instead it encapsulates the particles of ink with a network of collagen fibers as the skin heals, and there the tattoo remains.

Tattoo removal lasers are very safe for use when used by a trained laser operator with proper safety equipment (like goggles to protect the eyes). The radiation emitted by a tattoo removal laser is non-ionizing and carries no risk of cancer or other abnormal cell growth.

Lasers will cause some discomfort and it is usual to experience a small amount of pain in the area afterwards (like you do after having a tattoo). The laser pulses have been likened to having your skin 'pinged' with an elastic band. This is usually tolerated by most people without any anaesthetic.

However, some areas can prove more sensitive than others, especially around the ankles or the shoulder blade. Fortunately, the discomfort does decrease as treatment progresses and the tattooing fades. In our experience most patients will tolerate the discomfort of treatment very well but we can provide local anaesthetic cream if required.

Not normally, It is very unusual to develop any scarring but possible, especially with poor aftercare (there is a reported 5% chance of scarring following tattoo removal treatments). The laser operated at The Tattoo Lounge is specially designed for the purpose of Tattoo Removals. The light pulses it emits are only in contact with the skin for literally billionths of a second, there is not enough time for a significant build up of heat in the skin.

If you have scars on your tattoo, it means that the tattoo was not properly done. Those scars will not vanish.

No. Light is measured in nanometres and there are two wavelengths of light that are emitted from this laser -one is invisible infrared light (1064nm) and the other is visible green light (532nm). The infrared wavelength is preferably absorbed into black and dark blue inks, whereas the green light is absorbed by red ink. It is possible to treat some other colours although white, yellow, green and bright colours are difficult. This is not usually a problem however, as lighter colours cover very easily. If you wish to cover- up an existing tattoo then the darker colours will be faded or removed, allowing you greater choice of size and colour of the cover-up design you choose.

A wide range of other colours can usually be removed successfully or lightened to a large degree:

Brown, Red* (IMPORTANT! Some people can have an allergic reaction to red ink particles absorbed into to body), Orange, Darker Green, Blue, Purple

The most difficult colours to remove are pastel colours such as:

Light Green, Pale Blue, Teal, Turquoise, Pink*

These colours may be lightened, but it is difficult to remove them completely.

If you are looking to cover-up your tattoo with a new design these pastel colours are usually easy to cover.

Usually untreatable Colours:

White*, Yellow, Light green, Skin tones, Fluorescent or Ultra-Violet*

White and yellow ink does fade over time and become less noticeable, be cautious of anyone who guarantees to remove all traces of green ink.

*Colours with potential problems

Occasionally the tattoo may go darker where the ingredients in certain ink colours carbonise. This irreversible darkening is sometimes seen with the following colours:

White, Pink, Flesh Tone colours,Fluorescent or Ultra-Violet, Light Brown, Red

Although these complications are rare, it is one of the reasons we insist on a patch test for each colour in the tattoo so that potentially rare complications can be predicted before undergoing laser treatment.

We will discuss your individual tattoo at the consultation and if you have colours that do not respond.

The light will only see the colour ink it is attracted to as different wavelengths absorb into different things. It is not possible to produce a laser that can see all colours as some wavelengths are too shallow when absorbed to affect the ink, others can absorb into other matter and damage the skin in the process. Another reason is that all ink pigments contain certain levels of heavy metals. Some pigments may have a higher concentration of some of these than others, and these heavy metals can react with the laser light and carbonise in the skin, turning the ink black. It is very difficult to remove the ink when this has happened so, if you have other colours you would like treating, the laser operator will perform a test patch for you to see if it is possible before proceeding.

Initial consultations are free. When you come for your consultation, I will measure your tattoo, carry out a skin assessment, and let you know how much each treatment will cost. 

Starting price is £30 and goes up with the size of the tattoo.

If a tattoo is bigger then your palm, I might need to divide it into seperate sessions (then the treatment can be done minimum 2 weeks apart, but only on different parts of your tattoo).

It's a pikosecond type machine.

A picosecond laser is a laser which emits optical pulses with a duration between 1 ps and (usually) some tens of picoseconds. It thus also belongs to the category of ultrafast lasers or ultrashort pulse lasers (faster then Q switch Nd Yag and less pain).

Unfortunately, due to the nature of this procedure, it is impossible to predict exactly how many treatments it will take for complete results. It could take as little as 3 treatments for an amateur tattoo or as many as 10 treatments for a professionally applied tattoo (avarange for a black and grey tattoo is 16 sessions). How quickly your ink fades will depend on several factors, such as the colours of your tattoo, the type of ink used and how your body responds to the treatment.

The following parameters affect the process of tattoo removal, and thus the number of necessary session you need to remove ur tattoo:

– Skin Type

– Scarring

– Location

– Layering (is it a cover-up?)

– Colour of tattoo

– Depth of tattoo

– Density of tattoo ink

– Age of client

– Immune status of client

Your body needs time to break down the tattoo ink pigments after each laser treatment. This is a slow process, therefore you will typically schedule each treatment a minimum of 6 weeks apart.

No, the targeted ink takes time to break down and be removed by the body. Visits are scheduled 6 weeks apart to allow the body to absorb and dissolve the disrupted ink.

It is possible to get laser tattoo removal treatments every 4 weeks, but over the years I have expierenced that the best results are after 6 weeks.

Your skin will most likely be red and feel like it has mild sunburn. This typically goes away after a couple of hours. There may also be some bruising. At times and with certain inks, there may be mild blistering that usually heals in about a week. After each treatment you will be given detailed instructions on how to care for your treated area.

Most side effects of laser procedures are temporary, generally few and to be expected.

Normally symptoms will subside within a week and may include:

• Localised Swelling and Redness - The most common side effects and could feel similar to sunburn for a day or two;

• Blistering - Don't worry when blistering occurs, this is part of the normal healing process and the skin will heal nicely afterwards as long as you do not pick and scratch the scab;

• Infection - Following each of the treatment sessions there is always a high risk of infection to the area. It is very important that you maintain a good level of hygiene;

• Scabbing - If you do experience blistering and/or bleeding, when the scab forms as with any healing wound it is very important not to pick any scabbing as this could cause scarring and impair further treatments;

• Hypopigmentation - Loss of skin colour may occur. But, normal skin tone should return within 6 –12 months following your last treatment session. Very occasionally the hypopigmentation effect can be permanent or pigment will return in patches. As a general guideline, the darker the skin and the more treatments required, the more risk there is of long term de-pigmentation;

• Hyperpigmentation - An abundance of colour in the skin at the treated area. This problem is more common in patients with darker skin types and patients with fresh tans are also more at risk. Hyperpigmentation is usually always a temporary effect that responds to topical bleaching therapy and resolves over time;

• Sunburn. - A risk that follows treatment, It is important that you keep the area covered in a minimum factor 25 suncream at all times when the area is not covered by clothing or a sterile bandage;

• Lack of complete pigment removal – Some colours cannot be treated, traces (or ghosting) of colour pigmentation may remain after treatment;

• Slight pin-prick bleeding or weeping - This is all normal and nothing to worry about;

• Allergic Reaction - A possible development an allergic reaction to your tattoo dye as it is released into your system.

Detailed written aftercare instructions will be provided at your consultation - PLEASE follow them to the letter and do not listen to friends who inevitably will have well intentioned advice. The care routine is different to having a tattoo - please follow the provided aftercare instructions.

You CAN NOT undergo laser treatment if you have any of following conditions:

• Pregnancy
• Post Natal Breast Feeding
• Auto-immune disease such as Lupus
• Any immuno suppressive therapy
• HIV or Hepatitis infection
• Acute or Chronic Renal Failure
• Previous Kelloid scar formation
• Previous skin pigmentation problems as a result of laser treatment
• Bleeding disorders
• Psoriasis or Viteligo
• Blood thinning medication (with the exception of low dose [75mg/day] Aspirin)
• Diabetes (Type l)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis treated with ”Gold” injections
• Treatment with Acutane
• Implant surgery (including Pacemakers) at the site of proposed treatment
• Thyroid disorders
• Keloid scaring
• Cancer

If you have any of following conditions  you may  undergo laser treatment  after consultation and with written permission from your GP or Consultant, at a later date (to be determined by Physician):

• Diabetes Type 2
• Pulmonary Embolism/Blood Clot/DeepVein Thrombosis
• Recent Chemical Peels, Dermabrasion, Face lift,
• Laser Resurfacing at or near the treatment site
• Any medication or herbal therapy listed on the British Medical Laser document entitled ”Drugs and Lasers/[PL”
• Herpes Simplex (cold sores)
• Melasma or chloasma
• Epilepsy
• Botox and fillers

You cannot be treated if you are 

suntanned or have used a self tanning cream. 

after a face lift or any kind of peeling/botox/fillers.

The increased melanin in your skin will make you liable to burns (suntanned). Please stay out of the sun for at least 6 weeks prior to treatment. This is for your safety. The lightening of skin colour is more common following sun exposure.