Laser tattoo removal works by targeting the ink with pulses of highly concentrated light that break the ink into tiny fragments, which are then cleared away by the body’s own immune system. The body will begin drawing the old ink out of the area as soon as it gets lasered and will continue to do so for anywhere up to 5 or 6 weeks. This is why we wait 6-8 weeks apart before the next laser removal session as it has shown to be unnecessary and premature to retreat an area prior to this time. The time between each session also allows the treated area of the skin to heal properly. The is a long process that this is not done in just one session. The more treatments you have, the more the laser can penetrate to further destroy the ink.

The number of treatments needed depends on a few factors:

#1) Are you looking to have the tattoo completely removed or just lightened enough to cover it up with another tattoo? If you are looking to just lighten the tattoo so you can cover it with something else, then you will not need as many sessions (anywhere between 1-4 sessions) before it is light enough. If you want the tattoo completely gone then it could take anywhere from 5-10 sessions.

#2) Layering or Cover Up? How many times has this particular tattoo had ink put in it? If your tattoo is a cover up or has been re worked more than once, it will require more sessions than a tattoo that has not been layered.

#3) Skin color. It is easier to remove tattoos from people with lighter skin colors because of the greater contrast between pigment in the ink and the natural pigment in the skin. Lighter skin does not significantly absorb laser light so most of the laser energy is focused on the tattoo pigment. Where as dark skin siphons a portion of the laser light from the tattoo so a lower energy setting must be used to not cause extra harm to the skin.

#4) Ink Color. Black and dark blue are the easiest colors to remove where as lighter colors such as yellow, orange, red and green are the most difficult and stubborn. #5) Ink Depth. If the ink is deposited closer to the surface of the skin, it is easier to remove with laser tattoo removal, but if the ink is located deeper within the dermis, it is harder to remove. If your tattoo is done by a professional tattoo artist trained in depositing the ink evenly within the skin, it may be more difficult to remove it than if it was done by an amateur.

#6) Age of your Tattoo. Tattoos naturally show some degree of fading over time and therefore it is easier to remove older tattoos than newer ones. #7) Location of your Tattoo. Areas of the body with a large blood and lymph node count, such as the face, neck, chest and back are easier to remove. The closer the tattoo is to the heart, the better circulation is in that area allowing for better results. Tattoos lower down the body are harder to remove due to the limited circulation to the vascular supply!

After 1 Laser Removal Treatment

After 3 Laser Removal Treatment

After 3 Laser Removal Treatment

Proper aftercare is important to achieve good results. During the healing period it is recommended to avoid hot tubs, swimming pools, saunas + direct exposure to sunlight. Once the bandage is removed, wash & keep the area clean.  Do not pop blisters or pick any scabs. Keep applying the ointment to protect the skin and keep the area moisturized!

Your immune system is a vital component to effective laser tattoo removal as it does ALL of the work after a laser treatment by removing the destroyed ink. The human body uses its white blood cells to eliminate all foreign, unhealthy substances, including tattoo ink!

Are there any side effects?
There are minimal side effects when receiving laser tattoo removal. The most common being sore, itchy, blistery, swollen skin following the procedure for up to 1-3 weeks. All of which will go away once the area is healed 6-8 weeks later. Other side effects not so common yet still possible are hypopigmentation (discoloration of the treated skin), hyperpigmentation (darkening of the treated skin) and scar tissue (raised skin of the treated area).

Does it hurt?
During the laser tattoo removal process there is a certain amount of physical discomfort and irritation on the area being treated and the feeling is not the same for everyone. Some people describe the pain like the feeling of a rubber band snapping their skin, where as others have said it feels like drops of hot oil splashing on their skin. In either case the feeling is uncomfortable so that is why taking pain medication like ibuprofen or the use of a numbing cream can help the unpleasantness of the entire procedure!

Laser hair removal is a process that uses an intense, pulsating beam of light to remove unwanted hair.

During a laser hair removal treatment, a laser beam passes through the skin into the hair follicle. Pigment in the follicle absorbs the light and that destroys the hair. The intense heat of the laser damages the hair follicle, which prevents future hair growth.

The 3 main factors that affect Laser Hair Removal are hair color, skin color & growth phase of each individual hair follicle. Laser hair removal is most effective on people who have light skin and dark hair. With advanced technology and our new machine, the ND Yag Long Pulse Laser, we can safely and effectively remove hair on almost all skin types and colors. Most people require anywhere between 6 to 8 treatments to achieve their desired results of having no more unwanted hair. The only hair color that does not work well with this technology is really light pale blond hair as it has barely any pigment to absorb the laser beam.

Why Multiple Laser Hair Removal Treatments are Necessary?

The energy from the laser can only disable the follicle during the growing phase. At any given time only 10-15% of hair follicles are in Anagen phase, depending on the body part. Usually after 3-4 weeks following the first treatment there will be a re-growth of fewer, finer hairs as new follicles that were in the resting Telogen phase enter into the Anagen growth phase and produce a new hair that can be disabled by the laser treatment. So depending on which phase the hair follicles were in when the laser hair removal was received, will determine the amount of re growth. If the hair follicle did not get disabled then it may still produce a hair, yet the hair will be weaker and finer until the follicle is damaged enough (in the anagen phase) to stop reproducing hair all together!

It is important not to depilate between lasers treatments with waxing, tweezing, threading or using creams that will disturb the hair follicle. Shaving is permitted as often as necessary. Avoid sun exposure to reduce the chance of getting hyperpigmentation (skin darkening).  Aloe vera gel may be applied to soothe the skin. Avoid saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms, swimming pools & hot showers for the first week after treatment.

Are there any side effects?
Some normal side effects may occur after laser hair removal treatments, including itching, pink skin, redness, and swelling around the treatment area or swelling of the follicles. These side effects rarely last more than 2-3 days. Some level of pain should also be expected during treatments and to help with this , numbing cream can be used.

LED Light Therapy is a treatment using  colored lights that can be used to  stimulate collagen production which  reduces fine lines and wrinkles +  increases skin cell renewal + kills acne causing bacteria on the skin, improving skin clarity, with no pain & no downtime.

Benefits of Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy emits specific wavelengths of red light to activate collagen production, improve visible signs of aging & to restore glowing,  healthy looking skin. It can also be used to reduce age spots, sun damage, and overall redness, flushing, and dilated capillaries. Red light therapy can also reduce the appearance of bruising and reduce healing time. Results are often immediate.

Benefits of Blue Light Therapy
Blue light therapy emits specific wavelengths of blue light to kills acne causing bacteria, without harming skin. It also improves skin clarity and reduces future breakouts. Results are often seen after just one treatment.

RF, also known as Heat therapy is one of the most effective pain relief treatments for stiff joints and inflammation. The deep penetrating warmth of infrared massage stimulates blood flow which can help reduce arthritis pain + improve circulation and blood flow!

Skin absorbs the LED light. Skin converts light energy into cellular fuel. Energized cells perform at an enhanced rate giving the body more energy!

Infrared (IR) rays are invisible waves of energy that penetrate deep into the inner tissues, muscles and bones of the body. This type of massage is an effective form of therapy for stress relief and for relaxing stiff muscles. With our IR hand piece we can focus on any area of the body that feels tense using the device to knead and relax those specific muscles!