Removal techniques have come a long way since the days of skin grafting, skin removal, or the use of infra-red and other non-medical lasers. At Victoria Med Spa, we offer highly effective tattoo removal using the Q-Switched ND:YAG laser. This is the gold standard for tattoo removal. Featuring both 1064 and 532 nm wavelengths, our laser system efficiently targets a variety of pigment colours, including black, blue, green, red and orange.

The Q-Switched Nd YAG Laser is specially designed for the purpose of tattoo removal. This laser allows very high-powered laser light to be delivered to the skin over a fraction of a second. This minimizes any damage that could be caused by overheating the surrounding skin and hence any chance of scarring is greatly reduced.

The Q-Switched ND:YAG releases light energy at the rate of nanoseconds and selectively targets ink molecules within the tattoo, breaking the molecules into smaller particles.  These particles can then be cleared by your body’s natural immune system. You will see both instant fading at the time of treatment as well as gradual fading in the weeks following your treatment.

During your consultation, we will examine the treatment area and can give you an approximate number of treatments that will be needed. Factors that are considered :

• Placement on the body
• Colors
• Layering
• Amount of ink
• Age of tattoo
• Scarring

However, as a guide most professional tattoos will require at least 6-12 treatments. Follow-up treatments are conducted at no less than 4-6 week intervals. Further fading can occur for several months after each treatment.

It is possible to remove or significantly lighten most tattoos. Black, blue and red tattoos tend to respond well. Aqua, green and yellow tattoos may be more resistant and only partially fade. White tattoos reflect laser light and therefore do not respond to laser treatment.

Yes, the area can be re-tattooed following laser removal. Whether you have had complete removal, partial removal or just lightening of the area will be able to be re-tattooed. The wish to replace an existing tattoo is a common reason for having laser tattoo removal.