Laser Tattoo Removal at
dermalclinic® Edinburgh

Tattoos were once considered permanent.

Made up of tiny ink particles trapped within the skin, tattoos were difficult to get rid of. Getting a tattoo meant having a tattoo for life.

As tattoos have grown in popularity, so have the number of people looking to have their tattoos removed, or simply faded before having a new one. Now the FDA approved RevLite laser at dermalclinic® can help make your unwanted tattoo a thing of the past.

Tattoos are formed when the skin is damaged and the large particles of ink become trapped within the fibres of the skin. The ink particles are too large to be removed by the body’s immune system. Laser treatment works by emitting very high power light pulses into the skin which break downs the ink into much smaller particles. Selective light frequencies are accurately absorbed by different ink colours decreasing potential damage to surrounding tissues. The smaller ink particles are then removed by the body’s own immune system or lymphatic system over a period of time.

Every individual has their own pain threshold, but many patients describe the sensation as simply being flicked with an elastic band, and certainly no more painful than having a tattoo in the first place. We provide Cryo Cooling, at no extra charge, which will make the procedure much more comfortable. We can also provide a topical anaesthetic cream which needs to be applied 30 minutes prior to treatment if required. You can purchase this topical anaesthetic cream at your consultation if you would like the extra comfort.

As different colours require different frequencies of laser light absorption it's unusual to find a laser that can treat as many colours as the RevLite. Some pigments and inks are more difficult to remove than others; however the majority of colours can be removed. We cannot guarantee complete removal due to the age and depth of ink which can also affect the overall result. Older, amateur and darker tattoos achieve better results. The benefit of the FDA approved RevLite Laser is its Photoacoustic Technology Pulse (PTP). PTP is a unique dispersion of energy that delivers very narrow pulse widths at peak power, for efficient removal of unwanted pigment. Clinical studies indicate that the PTP mode offers greater efficacy and increased patient comfort for skin revitalisation.

This will depend on the size and age of the tattoo, the intensity of the ink colour, the depth of the ink and your body's ability to remove the particles. Most people require 5 to 6 treatments although professional multi-colour tattoos may require more and amateur ones fewer. Results will typically be seen after just 1 or 2 treatments.

It's necessary to allow the body sufficient time to remove the ink particles between treatments, and also for the treated area to recover. For this reason we recommend treatments should be 4 to 6 weeks apart.

During treatment the treated area will appear white which soon disappears when the treatment has ended. The area may be tender, slightly red or raised (blistered) for up to 48 hours following treatment and will soon reduce. It's been described as being like mild sunburn. If there is blistering or scabbing, care must be taken to cover the area and avoid knocking the scabs off – allow them to heal naturally otherwise a scar may form which could then affect future treatment results. Sun protection should be worn on the treated area, to avoid discolouration, during the treatment course and then for the following 4 to 6 weeks.

Our laser is sufficiently accurate to fade full tattoos, or parts of tattoos (such as names), so that a different tattoo can be placed above. Fewer treatments will be needed for fading tattoos.

This depends on the size, the colour, the ink depth and the age of the tattoo but prices start from £50 for a 3cm square area. Courses can be purchased which are more cost-effective for multiple treatments. At your free consultation we will endeavour to provide you with an accurate indication of the expected removal cost. Whether you're unsure, or you've already decided, simply contact us to make an appointment for a free consultation and your patch test which is redeemable against your treatment. We’ll answer any of your queries and be able to give you more information about the expected price, timescale and result. Upon arrival we'll ask you a few questions to check your suitability and to see if you want any anaesthetic cream. We'll also explain any contraindications and possible side-effects as above.

Patch test £50 redeemable against treatment.

Consultations are free