Vancouver tattoo removal using the best laser technology available

At our clinic, we have been working on perfecting the ‘un-art’ of removing ink pigments in human skin for a long time. And, we’ve got the investment dollars to ensure we are purchasing the most up-to-date technological equipment for the job.

While many articles on the web will talk about the Q-switch laser as the so-called, “gold standard” of Vancouver tattoo removal, this is no longer the case. Prior to 2012, it was. And at that time, we had two Q-switch lasers in our office. People came to us from all over the Lower Mainland for this service.

However, technology does progress! Today, the industry is getting incredible, “mind boggling” results with picosecond lasers. They work far more rapidly than Q-switch lasers (which use nanoseconds), and on various tattoo colours, too. They are also safer to use, and result in fewer complications, as a result.

At our skin clinic, we carry two of these picosecond lasers: the enlighten^® laser and the PicoSure^™ laser. We have already progressed beyond the Q-switch era.

Having two lasers for removing tattoos means we can not only get you in sooner for treatment, but we can treat more ink colours, too.

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Q-switch vs PicoSure^™ and enlighten^® lasers

Below is a simple rundown to explain the difference between the older Q-switched lasers (whether Nd:YAG, Ruby or Alexandrite) and the newer picosecond-based lasers:

The Q-switched lasers emit energy within nanosecond increments (that is, 1 billionth of a second). This energy creates heat, which is then used to destroy ink particles that have been placed in the dermal layer of the skin. But on the flip side, the high heat is also what can damage skin.

With PicoSure^™ and enlighten^® lasers, the energy emission happens within a picosecond. That is 1000x shorter than a nanosecond (it comes to a a trillionth of a second). This improved laser speed drastically reduces the potential skin damage that each pulse can cause – even on darker skin tones.

The intensity of the energy in such a fast, picosecond motion also breaks ink particles down into smaller pieces than with nanosecond technology. The smallness is what helps your immune system get rid of the ink. Your body can thus do its job faster than if ink particles were broken into small pieces slowly, over time. That had been the case with Q-switch lasers.

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Note: Procedure results may vary from patient to patient.

Note: Procedure results may vary from patient to patient.

While darker black, blue, purple and green tattoos are the easiest to remove, modern technology has made it possible to treat almost all body ink colours. This includes orange and lighter hues of colours.

White and yellow can be hard (not impossible) to remove, because they can change colours during treatment too (don’t forget white is made up of many colours, which then interact with the laser). The most problematic colour for a tattoo removal laser is usually red (it can darken from laser treatments). Though, the enlighten® laser we have in our office has been showing excellent results on this colour.

But, in short, yes! We can remove multi-coloured tattoos in Vancouver (Surrey). They may take more treatment sessions than with plain black tattoos, but it’s possible.

Some practitioners do prefer some lasers and wavelengths for certain colours (especially red). However, our two tattoo removal lasers are able to cover this variety of pulses needed to treat coloured tattoos.

Despite all of the possibilities of removing your coloured tattoo, we would ask that you come in for a consultation to receive a proper assessment of your case. We’ll let you know if we think we can help, and what it will take to do so. Please also see our explanation on this page to learn how ink ingredients, tattoo age and lifestyle can also affect tattoo removal processes (it’s not just about colours).

Note that no tattoo removal treatment will be instant. You should expect a series of sessions to see results from laser tattoo removal.

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If you have darker skin tone (or a tan), this may interfere with a laser’s targeting of pigments to remove ink particles. This is because, of course, it is pigment that absorbs the light energy from lasers. So, if you have more pigment in your natural skin tone, then it is more likely you’ll absorb more energy from lasers.

This only means we’ll need to be careful about the settings we use on your tattoo, to avoid burns. But, it is likely still possible to remove your tattoo.

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The options for tattoo removal outside of modern lasers are limited. They are also not as effective, or come with side-effects, such as scarring.

These can include:

• Tattoo removal cream (though, these are not likely to be effective).
• Skin salabrasion or dermabrasion (this is painful, and leaves a mark).
• Glycolic acid injections (these leave a mark, and are not very effective).
• Totally removing the skin where the tattoo is (this is not practical for large areas, and will create a scar).

Laser tattoo removal, however, is able to target just the ink of the tattoo. It is designed to leave your skin in-tact (with the exception of some minimal, healable blistering). This is the only type of Vancouver tattoo removal we offer at our clinic (in Surrey).

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The risks of tattoo laser removal are not going to be as high, or more numerous, than the risks of getting a tattoo in the first place.

As this report shows, the lack of regulation in the tattoo industry can result in problematic outcomes for those seeking a tattoo. They can include infections (including systemic ones), granulomas, eczema, psoriasis and other diseases. Plus, not knowing what is in the ink can mean carcinogenic chemicals being introduced to your body for long periods of time.

Having a tattoo can also affect MRI scans. Plus, while not really a health issue, they can also make you ineligible for other beauty treatments, such as laser hair removal.

And, let’s not forget that not all tattoos turn out to be the way we expected them. Whether they are loved at first or not, they can be a ‘satisfaction risk,’ in and of themselves (don’t get your partner’s name printed on your body, folks!). Even when used for medical reasons, such as to cover up skin conditions, the colour may not be exactly right.

So, by the time you’ve begun considering tattoo removal, you’ve already risked a lot, believe it or not :)

That said, there are some cautions you should know about, before deciding on tattoo removal. Though, they are not huge ones. These include:

• The possibility of scars or discolouration. This is greatly reduced with picosecond lasers, and our precision technique, which we’ve perfected over time.
• Blisters or redness after treatment. We use Polysporin^® for this, and ask you to avoid the sun and swimming pools for a period of time, to heal.

That’s pretty much it! That said, you should always undergo laser tattoo removal with a trained professional – preferably with some medical background. This is because all lasers can be dangerous if not used properly and carefully.

Note also that some non-medical clinics may use inappropriate lasers on tattoos (such as hair removal lasers). These can cause a lot more scarring and side effects. We strongly advise that you seek a physician-led clinic for Vancouver tattoo removal.

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Thanks to the efficiency of picosecond technology, we’re able to offer an amazing price for tattoo removal in Vancouver. This is because we can do the job in fewer treatments.

Each person’s tattoo removal cost will depend on the variables of their tattoo. That can include the size of the tattoo, the depth of ink in the skin, the age of the tattoo, the skin tone of the person with the tattoo to be removed, and so on.

The best way to find out what laser tattoo removal will cost at our Surrey skincare clinic is to come in for a consultation, so we can take a look. We’ll be able to give you a better estimate at that point. We encourage you to book now!

*Note that multiple treatments will always be needed for any type of laser tattoo removal. Results may vary from person to person. No guarantee on the number of treatments required can be accurately made for any tattoo.

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