Laser Pigmentation Removal
From wanting a fresh start to medical necessity, some people choose to remove birthmarks and tattoos for a variety of reasons. Advancements in laser technology have made the removal of pigmentation such as tattoos, birthmarks, and age spots increasingly accessible and effective.
These procedures offer a professional approach to eliminating unwanted skin markings. In particular, tattoos require specialised treatment due to their depth within the skin. Laser removal precisely targets these embedded pigments, breaking them down without harming the surrounding tissue.
Laser therapy is one of the most exciting treatments for removing unwanted pigments in the skin such as age spots, lentigines (liver spots), freckles, café-au-lait, Hori naevus and tattoos.
Our MedLite® C6 laser (Q-switched Nd:YAG laser) and AlexTriVantage™ laser work by emitting a specialised light that is passed through the skin and preferentially absorbed by the unwanted pigment target. The pigments then break up and disappear. The AlexTriVantage™ laser has the superior ability to treat tattoos containing greens, blues and black. The MedLite® C6 laser can also be used for skin rejuvenation.
A laser tattoo/birthmark removal treatment feels like a rubber band snapping. An anaesthetic cream is usually applied 1 hour before treatment. Some redness and swelling may be expected, but you can soon return to your normal activities.
The results of laser tattoo or birthmark removal can vary based on several factors. Here is what you can generally expect:
- Factors Affecting Success – The size, colour, and age of the tattoo or birthmark significantly impact the success of the removal process. Darker colours and older tattoos or birthmarks are typically easier to remove.
- Expected Timeline for Results – While some improvement may be visible after the first session, complete removal usually requires multiple treatments spread over several months.
- Following the Treatment Plan – Adhering to your treatment plan and attending all scheduled sessions is crucial. Skipping sessions or not following post-treatment care instructions can prolong the process and affect outcomes.
Proper post-treatment care is essential for achieving the best results from your laser tattoo or birthmark removal. Here are some guidelines to follow:
- Immediate Aftercare Instructions – Keep the treated area clean and dry, avoid direct sun exposure, and apply antibiotic ointment as recommended by your doctor.
- Managing Temporary Side Effects – Redness, swelling, and blistering are common, but temporary and manageable. Use ice packs to reduce swelling and over-the-counter pain relief, if necessary. Avoid picking at blisters or scabs to prevent scarring.
- Long-Term Care and Maintenance – Continue protecting the area from the sun, moisturise regularly, and follow any additional care instructions provided by your doctor to ensure optimal healing and results.
Depending on the type of pigment in your skin, it can be gone in as few as one to two sessions, especially with freckles and age spots. When dealing with tattoos, the average, professional tattoo requires more than 6–8 treatments, while amateur tattoos require more than 3–4 treatments. Tattoo Removal treatment is usually spaced 6–8 weeks apart.
The number of tattoo removal treatments depends on the amount and type of tattoo ink used, and the depth of the ink in the skin. The treatment of birthmarks is more complicated and may require many sessions, depending on the type of birthmarks being treated.
Blistering at the treated area is a normal side effect; it is a positive sign that the healing process is going well. The treated area may darken sometimes but will fade within 3–6 months. This is also part of the healing process and lightening cream may be prescribed for you to speed up recovery. Other side effects such as skin lightening and scarring are fortunately rare.
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