laser tattoo removal
laser TATTOO REMOVAL Services
Phi Laser can be used to:
- Lighten or remove previous unwanted permanent makeup or body tattoos.
- Lighten or remove hyperpigmentation (e.g. melasma).
- Carbon facial to help remove surface skin imperfections, increase skin glow, and leave skin looking and feeling smooth (coming soon).
pre and post care
Pre-Care
- 3-4 weeks prior to treatment, sun exposure is forbidden. Lasering tanned or sunburned skin will result in serious burns or skin discolouration.
- Taking Arnica tablets before and after will help with swelling (optional).
- It is suggested to quit smoking for 2 weeks before for best results.
- Stop taking vitamin E, aspirin, and any medications that delay healing one week prior.
- Stop using skin care products that contain retinoid, retinol, tretionin, or glycolic acid for 2-4 weeks prior.
- Take medication to prevent getting cold sores if you are prone to developing them.
- Do not use any fake tan solutions for 2 weeks before and after as the activators in it can interact with the laser and lead to skin pigmentation.
Post-Care
- VERY IMPORTANT - NO SUN FOR 30 DAYS MINIMUM AFTER. Protect your skin from sun until the area has fully healed and especially between sessions.
- You may apply a cold press if the area feels tender or warm but do not apply the ice directly to the skin. Wrap the ice or frozen peas in a clean cloth or paper towel before applying to the skin.
- Allow the skin to cool and release the heat for 24 hours after. This means do not put any creams or lotions on the area that would trap the heat in (e.g polysporin). If the skin does break, you can begin to use healing ointments 24 hours later.
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What to expect
- Redness and slight swelling immediately after is very normal and expected
- Some people bruise or get skin breaks (slight bleeding)
- The brow hair will turn white. Purchase a collared brow mascara to use after the procedure or plan to get your brows tinted 2-3 days later if there is no broken skin. If the skin does break, please wait for the skin to fully heal prior to tinting.
- Ice is used to minimize discomfort but expect a hot elastic band sensation. You are welcome to pre-numb yourself to minimize pain (any lidocaine product from the drug store is fine) but most people find it tolerable.
- Expect multiple removal sessions for best results. This is not a one-and-done type of procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please contact lara@larajadebeauty.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
I alternate the laser with ice to minimize discomfort. Most people expect it to be worse than it is. It is over before you can say even say "ouch"!.
The laser feels like a really quick, elastic band.
You can pre-numb yourself with Emla, Zensa, or similar, prior to arriving if you like but it is not necessary.
The number of sessions needed depends on skin type, the location of the tattoo, how many colors were used, how deep it is, and how many layers of pigment are in the skin.
Skin Type: lighter skin types (where the tattoo is highly contrasted) will require less sessions than darker skin types.
Location: The fastest tattoo to remove are the ones on the head and neck area, then the upper and lower torso. The slowest to remove are tattoos located on the feet and hands.
Colors: The more colors, the more sessions will be needed to successfully lighgten the tattoo.
Depth: The more shallow/superficial the tattoo is, the faster it will be to lighten it.
Colors: The more colors, the more sessions will be needed for successful lightening.
Feel free to send a photo to info@larajadebeauty.com for a virtual consultation, number of sessions suggested , and quote.
The laser will not cause hair loss (it is a different machine to laser hair removal) but it can remove the color from the hair temporarily as it can not differentiate between tattoo pigment and hair pigmentation. I do my best to move the hair out of the way, but some hair will turn white when zapped. I advise clients to use a brow mascara on the brows after until the white grows out, or tint them.
The Q-switch laser breaks up the pigment using heat and then the immune and lymphatic system work to clear it from the body.
Six to eight weeks waiting time between treatments is necessary to allow for the lymphatic system to metabolize the pigment as much as possible. The tattoo will continue to lighten for 6-8 weeks after your appointment so it is not beneficial to come back sooner than 6 weeks for another session.
- Topical anesthetics will be applied prior to minimize pain.
- Redness, swelling, itching
- This is a very common side effect of laser skin treatments. These symptoms usually subside after a few days, though "pink" skin may linger for many weeks later.
- Sun sensitivity
- Since cosmetic lasers are pretty much heat or damage to the skin to encourage it to heal, it will make the skin sensitive to the sun and it is important to avoid it.
- Changes in skin pigmentation
- This laser provides a better result on those with lighter skin than those with darker however all types of skin have a risk of hyper and hypo pigmenting. Asian skin is particularly prone to hyperpigmentation.
- Bruising
- This will fade on its own.
- Demarcation line
- The technician will do everything possible to avoid this but you may see a line where there is loss of pigment in the treated area compared to the untreated area. This can be targeted at the next session.
- Infection
- Not a very common side effect but it can happen if scabs are picked or the area is not kept clean.
- Scarring
- Very uncommon but any kind of treatment that "damages your skin to make it better", will carry a risk of scarring. Scarring largely depends on skin type and you will be advised if you are not a good candidate for this procedure.
- If you are prone to scarring or getting keloids, laser is not recommended.
- Blistering, scabbing or crusting
- These symptoms must be left alone to heal.
- It usually takes more than one session to get your desired results.
- Skin with active inflammation
- If you have an infection currently
- On antibiotics (topical or ingested)
- Recently tanned or sunburned skin (in the last month)
- History of keloid scarring
- Using photosensitive medicine (some examples include: Tetracycline, doxycycline, nalidixic acid, voriconazole, amiodarone, hydrochlorothiazide, naproxen, piroxicam, chlorpromazine and thioridazine)
- Fresh tattoo (less than 3 months)
- Pregnant
- Diabetes (unless under control)
- Heart disease
- Cancer (specifically skin cancer)
- Liver disfunction
Please wait at least 10 weeks after your last laser session to ensure that the laser has fully finished working. If we put new pigment in too soon, the lymphatic system does not know which pigment is old and which is new, so you could experience significant fading if tattooed too soon.
CARBON PEEL
About Carbon Facials
The laser carbon peel is a fast and painless procedure done to help improve the look of skin.
It’s used primarily by people with oily skin, acne, and enlarged or clogged pores. This treatment is also beneficial if you’re starting to see the effects of sun damage to your skin.
Laser carbon peels deeply exfoliate skin. They also help stimulate collagen production.
Laser carbon peels are used to treat:
- acne
- acne pigmentation
- acne scarring
- enlarged and clogged pores
- melasma
- photoaging
- fine lines and wrinkles
Chemical peels also treat these skin conditions, but here are some of the main differences between the two:
- laser carbon peels use heat instead of chemicals for results
- laser carbon peels require no down time
- people with sensitive skin or skin conditions like eczema will usually experience less redness and irritation after a carbon peel than from a chemical peel
The Process
The laser carbon peel is a multi-part process that takes around 30 minutes from start to finish. For this reason, it is sometimes referred to as a lunchtime peel.
Here’s what you can expect from a typical laser carbon peel:
- Your technician will spread a layer of liquid carbon onto your face. The carbon absorbs oil, dirt, and dead skin cells from deep within the pores.
- You’ll wait for about 10 minutes for the liquid carbon to dry.
- After the carbon has dried, your technician will give you eye shields to protect your eyes from the laser.
- Your technician will pass a laser over the skin on a low-energy setting. This heats up the carbon, binding it to the epidermis.
- If you have very sensitive skin or dark patches like melasma, your technician may recommend skipping the heating step. The laser also heats up subdermal tissue, boosting collagen and plumping up fine lines.
- On a higher-energy setting, the laser will be used to fragment the liquid carbon into tiny particles.
- A smoke evaporator attached to the laser will remove the carbon as well as the debris and impurities it contains.
- Your technician will apply a cooling balm to your skin after treatment.
You should immediately see brighter, glowing skin and tighter pores.
If you have sensitive skin, you may experience a slight pinking or reddening of the skin. This usually lasts for one hour or less.