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Everything you Need to Know about Tattoo Removal

Tattoo Removal can be a stressful process.  Sure, you’re not in love with the massive and maybe even slightly embarrassing tattoo on your neck, lower back, bicep, whatever, but you remember how painful it was to get. So how painful would it be to get rid of it?

We’ll we’re here to help you through the process and answer all those nagging questions. So lets start with the basics…

Is it going to hurt?

Okay, so we’re not going to lie, getting a tattoo removed doesn’t feel good, but it’s not half as bad as people would have you believe. It’s similar to hot oil touching you from the pan. It’s not, by any means, unreasonable.

Are there preventative measures I can take to manage pain?

Your therapist will allow you to use a topical anaesthetic cream prior to the beginning of your treatment which should help with pain.

Can I only remove a part of my tattoo?

The tattoo removal systems Spectrum has developed are quick and accurate no matter how intricate or thick the design is. Our systems will get great results without any difficultly and in a minimal amount of time.

How many treatments will I need?

This is all relative to the specific tattoo you’re getting removed but in general you should expect to receive anywhere from three to twelve treatments. The toughest colours to remove are typically greens and yellows.

What are the potential complications?

With Spectrum’s laser technology tattoo removal is much safer and more efficient than it has ever been. There’s no more sanding, burning or skin grafting that come with a long list of potential side effects but as with any treatment there is still the possibility of some side effects.  These complications may include burning, scarring, hypopigmentation and incomplete removal but these complications are rare.

If you still have questions about your potential tattoo removal or to find a local practitioner click here.

By |October 27th, 2015|Spectrum Blog|0 Comments
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Can’t shift that tattoo?

There are a few reasons why tattoos don’t easily disappear and we thought you might like a list like that.

Choose the right technology

We know that every second beauty salon has an IPL device – like everything else, the quality varies. But we have noted that, since the surge in demand for tattoo removal, many of those salons are promoting their IPL device for tattoo removal.

Using IPL for tattoo removal is like trying to crack an egg with a machine gun.

IPL is great for lots of indications; they are fantastic for hair removal and superficial pigmentation. Sadly tattoo removal is not one of the concerns where IPL is a star solution. The results are sub-optimal [it wasn’t really designed for that purpose] and expensive [because for any result at all the number of treatments is huge when compared to a device designed for this exact purpose].

One very experienced Melbourne practitioner, Hillary Quinn of Melbourne Tattoo Removal, was quoted by Choice magazine as saying “It [IPL] shoots a block of light of about two by six centimetres rather than the five to eight millimetre pinpricks of Q-switched lasers. It’s like trying to crack an egg with a machine gun.”

So when you have found a certified practitioner who used a proven technology, what else could be standing in the way of seeing that unwanted ink disappear?

The conditions make tattoos harder to clear

The Q-switched laser removal process will be impeded if:

  • you smoke
  • you have tattoo colours other than black and red
  • you have a tattoo larger than 30 square centimetres
  • you have a tattoo that’s more than three years old.*

 

*source: Journal of the American Medical Association

By |May 5th, 2015|Spectrum Blog|0 Comments
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The truth about tattoo clearance

Any number of celebs are editing and removing older tattoos. We thought you might like the lowdown on what you can expect if you follow suit.

What is tattoo ‘clearance’?

It’s generally accepted to be ‘clearance of 95 % of the pre-treated tattoo’. So when we say tattoo removal, we generally mean tattoo ‘clearance’. There are no devices available that record 100% clearance – and this is important to note. For many years, however the Q-switched laser has been the go-to technology.

Are there tattoos that resist clearance?

Certain colours are hard to clear. Black is easiest and the most common colour, however the dense tribal tattoo designs, whilst certainly black in colour, are very difficult to clear and will take more treatments than the non-dense variety.

Why ‘Switch’?

There are 2 separate wavelengths produced in the clearance of tattoos by the Q-switched laser.

The 532 nanometre wavelength treats the red and orange targets in the skin. It is attracted to red and orange targets which includes ink, but can also include pigments such as age spots, freckles and sun spots.

The 1064 nanometre wavelength is a near-infrared light, which is invisible to the human eye. This is the wavelength that treats the black and dark tattoo inks.

Before treatment starts

Protective goggles are required by the operator and client and the treatment room should not have any mirrors. If there is anyone with you, they have to wear the goggles as well.

The practitioner treating should also have training at least to ‘laser safety certification’ level, and in some states more certification is required by law. You may want to pay attention to this because many insurance companies have a strong opinion on the cover they offer non-trained staff. If that opinion extends to ‘no cover’ and a problem occurs, this is a detail you will want to have checked prior. So do your homework; you are very entitled to check the name of the certificates on the wall matches your operator.

 

Pre care

Just like when you received your tattoo, the area will be cleaned before treatment and you may want to use a topical numbing crème for comfort. This can be purchased from a pharmacy without prescription. Other than that there is no specific preparation required.

 

Post care

There will be some inflammation after treatment. The treated area will also appear slightly raised – dress this area with a non-aqueous based, ointment and a flexi roll to protect for water, friction and injury.

Infrared red LED light for healing is recommended post treatment, at least weekly, to optimise the healing process, at least weekly to speed up the healing process.

When the surface layer is healing, and the dressing is removed, ensure you use a sun block to protect to healed skin.

Pain relief

This treatment will be uncomfortable – so prepare for that. A cooling device that blows cold air onto the skin during treatment will increase comfort. Numbing crème – apply 60 min prior and wrap in glad-wrap to infuse into the skin.

Number and frequency of treatments

Treatments 6 weeks apart – usually 6-8 sessions to clear a tattoo to 95%. Sometimes more depending on the colour, density and quality of the technology being used. Our trainers have indicated 6-8 is their usual program based on the Spectrum Nd;YAG.

Having treatments closer together won’t speed up the process. The lymph system, which actually clears the broken up ink particles, works on it’s own schedule and can’t be hurried no matter what the receptionist re-booking your appointment says.

AND NOTE

The Q-switched laser is used for tattoo removal but also for nail fungus, dermal pigment and epidermal pigment.

 

Powered by Spectrum ND:Yag

find more information here

 

By |May 5th, 2015|Spectrum Blog|0 Comments
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half of women under 35 ?

Surprising poll on tattoo lovers indicates that more young women than we actually though are donning their fave tattoo image, and 64% of those under 35’s are big fans.14% of over 45s have a tattoo

Nearly half of women under age 35 have gotten ink, almost double their male counterparts (47 percent vs. 25 percent).

It’s the reverse among those 65 and over: three times as many senior men as women have a tattoo (14 percent vs. 4 percent).

It’s a trend and that’s great.

For clinic owners and practitioners who need to service this growing demand, you know who to call….

for more 

 

By |March 31st, 2015|Spectrum Blog|0 Comments
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Do we think tattoos are attractive? Actually, no.

A majority says they don’t like tattoos, yet more Americans are getting them — and getting more of them.

The latest Fox News poll finds 20 percent of voters, or one in five, has at least one tattoo. That’s up from 13 percent in 2007.

attractive much

Read the entire article and check the data here

By a 58-32 percent margin, voters say “no” when asked the simple question: Do you like tattoos? Yet 55 percent of those under age 35 say “yes.” That rises to 64 percent for women under 35.

The increase in body ink is not because people think tattoos are attractive: 6 in 10 think they make a person less attractive. That’s more than seven times as many as say more attractive (eight percent). About a quarter says tattoos make no difference.

By |March 31st, 2015|Spectrum Blog|0 Comments
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Surge in tattoo removal fuelled by regret

Survey in our Spectrum office says that we know that regret is a high ranking cause for users to seek tattoo removal, but we are all about evidence, so here it is…three in ten say tattoos make them feel sexy

You can definitely say that the surge in laser tattoo removal has been fuelled by regret, and the new technology that has been released makes it that much easier to have your tattoos removed. A Harris Poll which was taken two years ago, found that 21 percent of Americans have at least one tattoo, a figure which is up from 16 percent in 2003, and of those people, it’s roughly 14 percent of them who now regret their decision.

Strangely, when we reviewed the survey results closely, we found that 30% of the respondents also said their tattoo made them feel sexier.

 

Review the survey results HERE

By |March 31st, 2015|Spectrum Blog|0 Comments
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Smoking reduces the effect of tattoo removal

Variables Influencing Outcome and Sequelae in a Large Cohort of Treated Patients*

Our team have received a few questions recently on some of the widely accepted facts about tattoo removing with Q-switched laser and where that information originated, so we have located the source article.

A major finding of this study was the effect of smoking on tattoo removal. The chance of achieving removal after 10 treatment sessions was decreased by 69.7% in smokers compared with nonsmokers.

*view the entire abstract HERE

 

the effect of smoking on tattoo removal

the effect of smoking on tattoo removal

By |March 31st, 2015|Spectrum Blog|0 Comments
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Increase in infections during tattoo application

An interesting piece of news from the US – The Harvard Health Blog reflects on an outbreak of Mycobacterium bacteria linked to tattoos.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/tattoos-and-infection-think-before-you-ink-201210125405 for the entire article

Safe Post-Tattoo Protocol

Best practice post your tattoo treatment is as follows

After a tattoo session is over, take off the bandage within three to five hours. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and warm water, then wash the tattooed skin. Pat dry with a paper towel or clean cloth towel.

  • Allow the skin to air dry for 5 to 10 minutes. Then apply a very thin layer of Vaseline, Aquaphor, or other ointment.
  • Repeat the washing, drying, and moisturizing process three to four times a day for four days.
  • When the tattooed skin starts to shed a thin flaky layer of skin, do not scratch or pick at it. At this point you can switch to a moisturizer—don’t let your tattoo get dried out for the first few weeks.
  • Call your doctor—not the tattoo artist—if redness or swelling persists after a few days, you have a fever, or you notice a rash in or around the tattoo.

Read the entire article here

mycobacterium-tuberculosis-299290

By |March 31st, 2015|Spectrum Blog|0 Comments
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Tattoo Removal Secrets

Spectrum Switch [Q-Switched ND:Yag laser]

What is tattoo clearance?

Generally accepted to be clearance of 95 % of the pre-treated tattoo. There are no devices available that record 100% clearance – and this is important to note.

Are there tattoos that resist treatment?

Certain colours are harder to clear. Black is easiest and the most common colour used, however the dense tribal tattoo designs that have become very popular, whilst black in colour, are difficult to clear because of their extreme density and will take more treatments than the standard variety.

Why Switch?

There are 2 separate wavelengths produced in the clearance of tattoos. Protective goggles are required by the operator and client.

The 532 nanometre wavelength treats the red and orange targets in the skin. It is attracted to red and orange targets which includes ink, but can also include pigments such as age spots, freckles and sun spots.

The 1064 nanometre wavelength is a near-infrared light, which is invisible to the human eye. This is the wavelength that treats the black and dark tattoo inks.

Another consideration is the Switch is a 3B laser – it has been designed with the power generated in the hand-piece, not the body, so the energy travels the shortest possible distance and is categorised at a different level than earlier models. Added to this, a class 3B laser has different licensing and training requirements that earlier class 4 models.

What to do before and after tattoo removal

Pre care

Just like when you received your tattoo, the area will be cleaned before treatment and you may want to use a topical numbing crème for comfort. This can be purchased from a pharmacy without prescription. Other than that there is no specific preparation required.

Post care

There will be some inflammation after treatment. The treated area will also appear slightly raised – dress this area with a non-aqueous based, ointment and a flexi roll to protect for water, friction and injury.

Infrared red LED light for healing is recommended post treatment, at least weekly, to optimise the healing process, at least weekly to speed up the healing process.

When the surface layer is healing, and the dressing is removed, ensure you use a sun block to protect to healed skin.

Pain relief

This treatment will be uncomfortable – so prepare for that. A cooling device that blows cold air onto the skin during treatment will increase comfort. Numbing crème – apply 60 min prior and wrap in gladwrap to infuse into the skin.

Number and frequency of tattoo removal treatments

Treatments are recommended 6 weeks apart – usually 6-8 sessions are required to clear a standard tattoo to 95%.

There is no benefit in treating more frequently as the body’s elimination system which removes the shattered ink particles is set to a particular rhythm and cannot be hurried. You may not damage the area, but the treatment is more likely to be a waste of effort.

Switch is also used to treat nail fungus, dermal pigment and epidermal pigment.

Powered by Spectrum Switch ND:Yag, available in standard and portable models

For more information http://www.spectrumsciencebeauty.com.au/product/spectrum-switch/

By |March 26th, 2015|Spectrum Blog|0 Comments
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Tattoo Trends

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It’s all about colour

The trend for highly coloured and extensive tattoo art is exciting all of us. A beautifully designed and created tattoo really makes a statement.

When it comes time to change or remove that tattoo, there are a few things you should know:

  • a Q switched laser system for tattoo removal is the gold standard
  • Black and Grey are the easiest ink colours to remove; and ND:Yag (1064nm) generally works best for these
  • Green is a new trend and the most difficult to remove, followed by light blue. The recommended treatment is with and ND:Yag or Alexandrite laser at a wavelength of 1064nm and 755nm.

Sunscreen will help maintain the colour in your new tattoo, so remember to slip, slop, slap.

By |February 18th, 2015|Spectrum Blog|0 Comments
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