9How does laser tattoo removal work?
Laser light passes through the skin to be absorbed by the tattoo ink particles. Those particles heat up and are shattered into small fragments. The surrounding tissue remains unharmed. Over a few weeks, the immune system cells flush away the ink particles from the tattoo location. Each subsequent treatment shatters deeper layer of ink particles until none remain.
Several visits are usually required to completely remove the ink. The tattoo will fade after each treatment until complete removal is achieved. Each tattoo is different, so laser tattoo removal treatment length is usually dependent on a variety of factors like: size of the tattoo, color, location on the body, age of the tattoo, and quality of the ink used.
We use only the best quality laser which has the ability to remove most colour ink from a variety of skin types. Many other lasers use antiquated beams which unevenly distributed the light and creates hot spots. These hot spots are what cause breaking of the skin, severe blistering, and scarring. Our laser has flat beam technology leaving no hot spots, but delivering twice the power to break up the tattoo.
How much does laser tattoo removal cost?
SAGE Laser Tattoo Removal believes in eliminating the "luxury" stigma from our industry. Our pricing is fair and competitive, while maintaining the highest standard of laser equipment and on-going training.
As each person and each tattoo is unique, so is the pricing. Treatments start at a minimum of $95.00. Each and every tattoo varies in size and ink saturation. Most treatments under 6" square are priced less than $250, and this will be discussed and quoted during your complimentary consultation.
Do we offer discounts?
We post various promotions on our Facebook and Instagram page. Follow us to keep up with our lastest promo's and contests.
What will my treatment feel like?
Laser tattoo removal involve some level of discomfort. That said, almost all clients say that it hurts less than they expected.
Common descriptions include the sensation of a rubber band snapping against the skin or bacon grease. Basically, it's uncomfortable but bearable.
How do we reduce the discomfort?
We offer skin numbing and use the most popular numbing method called the Zimmer Cryo 6, which is a powerful chilling machine that blows cold air on the skin before, during, and after treatments.
For those with sensitive skin, a topical anesthetic can be used. Numbing cream is available for purchase in our office, however we do recommend applying creams 1-2 hours prior to your appointment for best results. Most clients chose not to use creams as the laser treatment process can be very fast.
Will it leave a scar?
If clients follow proper aftercare, it's very uncommon for a patient to scar. However, it is very common for a tattoo to feature pre-existing scarring from when it was applied.
What many people don't know is that any scarring that remains after a tattoo removal procedure is often left over from when the tattoo was originally applied by the tattoo artist. A good rule of thumb to go by is that if the tattoo already features scarring, expect that to remain.
When a Q-switched laser treats the skin, it targets and breaks down the tattoo pigment in the skin. If pre-existing scarring is present, it will break down this pigment within the scar tissue. Once the tattoo removal process is complete, the ink will have been eliminated from the location, but any of the scarring from the original tattoo will likely still remain.
During your initial consultation we will assess the tattoo and determine if pre-existing scarring is present. Our laser will elliminate the ink, but not the scar.
Improper aftercare:
While it is uncommon to cause scarring from the laser tattoo removal sessions themselves, it is still possible. Another risk for scarring, even if the treatment is performed properly, happens when patients fail to follow aftercare instructions. Blisters and scabs are common side effects that are important in the tattoo removal healing process. However, picking scabs or not caring properly for blisters can allow scarring to happen.
How long will it take to remove my tattoo?
A full removal takes a little or a lot of patience as each treatment is spaced a minimum of 6-8 week apart. A full removal can takes time several years. We will help set realistic expectations upfront to allow you to be satisfied throughout the experience—start to finish.
To allow the skin enough time to heal between treatments and the body's immune system to flush away ink, we recommend a minimum of 8 weeks between laser sessions. Stacking the treatments too close together can cause damage and permanent side effects to the skin and doesn't allow the body enough time to remove the ink that was shattered at the most recent session. So keeping that in mind, a full removal takes a little patience
But SAGE Laser Tattoo Removal believes strongly in helping set realistic expectations upfront to keep you satisfied throughout your entire experience—start to finish.
How many treatments will it take?
Most people will need between 8 and 12 treatments for a complete removal with some reaching their desired result in 3 or 4, and some people will have difficult to remove ink and need 12+ treatments.
We use the Kirby-Desai scale to determine visits. This is the most popular and well-regarded tool for analyzing the number of treatments a tattoo will need for removal. The scale accounts for the following factors that affect the rate of removal:
Fitzpatrick skin type
Tattoo layering (if the tattoo is a cover-up)
Location on the body
Ink colors
Amount of ink (saturation of tattoo ink, if it was professionally applied)
Pre-existing scarring
There are also other factors that affect the speed and success of the tattoo removal. We encourage you to exercise regularly, drink lots of water, and massage the treated area (once healed). Maintaining a healthy lifestyle before and after treatment, avoiding salty foods, limiting caffeine, refraining from smoking and ensure you are using SPF 30 on treatment areas are all good aftercare tips to get the best results. We will provide each client with proper aftercare instructions.
**Please note that not all colors of tattoo ink respond the same way to the laser treatment. Black ink removes the best. Next are red, orange and warmer colors. We can also be effective on many of the green inks. Some blue and purple inks are more challenging colours to remove but our laser can sometimes remove them although complete removal cannot be guaranteed. Homemade, and faded tattoos are the easiest to remove. Tattoos with thin lines and shading respond very well to laser treatments and you will often see results after 1-2 treatments.
Can you help me fade or revise a tattoo for a cover-up?
Yes, this is a great option if you are looking for a revision to an existing tattoo.
There is also selective removal. This means that you are looking to erase part of a larger tattoo piece, a common request for people with name tattoos. Selective removal works by getting certain parts of the tattoo "cleaned up” and we are able to use precision to only treat the areas of the tattoo that are desired to be removed.
Cover-up clients want their tattoo faded to make it easier for their tattoo artist to tattoo overtop. This technique needs fewer sessions than complete removal—often 1 to 3 laser sessions are adequate.
(Above image shows selective removal)
What to avoid?
Side effects are to be an expected part of the tattoo removal process for most people. In fact, some side effects are an important part of the immune response that helps eliminate ink from the skin.
To help limit adverse reactions the following care should be taken:
Anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen can produce bruising after treatment. If you need to treat aches and pains prior to the treatment, use non-aspirin products, such as Tylenol.
It's recommended to refraining from taking aspirin-containing medications for about three to seven days prior to the treatment. As for supplements, avoid fish oils, herbal supplements such as creatine and medications such as penicillin 48 hours before your appointment, as they can cause excess swelling.
Prolonged exposure to UV rays on the tattooed area (the sun, UV lamps, spray tanning or tanning creams) can put you at risk of hypopigmentation (a loss of color in the skin at the treated site) or hyperpigmentation (a darkening where the skin is treated), therefore we recommend that you plan your tattoo removal treatments at least three weeks after exposure to these elements. Before and after your tattoo removal treatments, cover the tattooed area, or use sun creams with 50+ protective factor.
Hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation occur when the body's production of melanin is skewed after a laser treatment. With hyperpigmentation, the body overproduces melanin in reaction to the laser treatment, so skin in the treated area is darker than the natural skin tone. With hypopigmentation, the melanin is depleted by the laser treatment and the skin appears bleached. Both hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation are typically temporary and resolve naturally with time. People with middle to darker skin tones are at the greatest risk for pigmentation changes and should avoid sun exposure several weeks following each treatment.
Can I go in the sun?
As mentioned above, we will not be able to perform your tattoo removal treatments if you have a fresh tan on the tattooed area. Keep your tattoo protected from UVA/UVB rays for at least 2 weeks prior to your appointment. Cover a small tattoo with a simple bandaid, or a larger one with clothing. After your treatment, it is also important to keep the area out of the sun until it is fully healed. This will reduce your risk of hypo-pigmentation complications.
Do you offer deals or discounts?
Yes! Please follow us on Facebook or Instagram for updates and discounts. Typically we offer discounted electronic gift cards in November & December.