Tattoo Removal
Tattoos have been around for over 5,000 years. Egyptian mummies dating back to 1300 B.C. have shown evidence of blue tattoo marks. Tattooing is done by injecting colored pigment into small deep holes in the skin. These marks are relatively permanent. For various personal reasons, people turn to physicians to have their tattoos removed.

My tattoo no longer suits my lifestyle. How can I remove it?
With the spectrum RD-1200 Q-switched ruby laser system it is possible to safely remove most decorative, medical and traumatic tattoos without scarring.

How does the laser system remove my tattoo?
The Q-switched ruby laser can significantly lighten or remove most tattoo inks. How well your tattoo responds depends on a number of factors. Amateur tattoos usually contain less ink than professional tattoos and therefore respond more quickly to the treatment. Red and yellow inks are often more difficult to remove than black, green and blue inks.

Do all tattoos respond to laser tattoo removal?
It is impossible to give an absolute guarantee as some pigments in tattoos can resist treatment. Pigments containing metals will not respond. Dark blues and blacks are generally the first to respond and usually all the pigment will be removed. Other colours are less predictable. They may take longer to fade, and in some cases may not go entirely.

Does it hurt?
The laser feels like a rubber band snapping against the skin. If the tattoo is large some people may require local anaesthesia, but this is often not necessary.

What are the side effects?
People with dark skin may have some lightness of the surrounding skin for a few months after treatment. Eventually the skin will return to its original colour.

What can I expect after the tattoo is treated?
The treated area will turn white and swell slightly. The whiteness fades over the next hour. During the next few days blisters may form and a then a thin crust will follow. The skin will return to normal in about 7-10 days.

How many treatments will I need?
Amateur tattoos usually require two to four treatments while professional tattoos require 5 or more treatments. Treatments are normally spaced 4 to 8 weeks apart. You will continue to see fading of the tattoo in between treatment sessions as more ink is removed by your body's natural immune system.

How long does each treatment take?
Each treatment can last anything between five minutes to an hour depending on the size and number of tattoos the patient wants removed.

Are there other ways to remove my tattoo?
There are methods available other than removal by ruby laser. Your tattoo can be removed by surgical excision (cutting it out), dermabrasion and chemical peels. These methods can result in scarring and are not as effective.

How much will it cost?
The cost is determined by the number of treatments required. The number of treatments required depends on the size, location, depth and colour of your tattoo.