Tattoo fading by Laser

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1 Tattoo fading by Laser Exceptional healthcare, personally delivered

2 Welcome to the Bristol Laser Centre We are part of the Plastic Surgery Department at North Bristol NHS Trust and were set up in 1992 as one of the first UK centres to offer skin laser treatments. We treat patients from all over the South West area, both private and NHS referrals. All our staff are fully trained doctors and nurses who have received specialist training in skin laser treatment. A variety of lasers are available for different skin conditions. We also provide non-laser treatment via our camouflage clinic and Outlook clinic offering emotional support and counselling services. What is a tattoo? A tattoo is a collection of particles embedded in the skin. This can be accidental, such as dirt and tarmac particles embedded in the skin after a road traffic accident, or deliberate, when ink particles are used to make a pattern in the skin. The body forms a fibrous coat around the particles, which stops them being absorbed by the body. How does laser treatment fade the tattoo? The tattoo is treated with a Nd:YAG laser. This gives a very short, very powerful burst of energy that is absorbed by the tattoo ink/ dirt particle and heats it. This process shatters the ink particles and breaks the fibrous coat, allowing the body to absorb them. 2 Tattoo fading by Laser

3 How successful is treatment? Indian ink tattoos usually respond well to laser treatment. Professional tattoos have a more variable response depending on the colours used. Usually, black and red inks fade most, with green, blue, purple and orange being the most resistant to laser treatment. However, it can be difficult to predict which tattoos will fade well and which will be resistant to treatment, as there are hundreds of different ink recipes for each tattoo colour. Unfortunately there are some coloured inks which do not respond at all to laser treatment. We hire a Ruby laser 3 times a year to treat green or blue coloured inks. What are the risks of treatment? There is a small risk of scarring, but this is minimised by following the aftercare advice carefully. There is also a risk of pigment changes in the skin. This may appear as a temporary or permanent light or dark patch of skin. Risk of a side effect is higher if you have naturally dark skin or have treatment when you have a suntan. You must wear special glasses during treatment to protect your eyes. Treatment during pregnancy and breastfeeding Laser treatment to tattoos is not advisable in the first three months of pregnancy, due to the small risk that the ink particles could be harmful to the baby s development. There is no known risk from laser treatment during breastfeeding. Who will treat me? At your first appointment the specialist doctor will assess you and discuss treatment. This will give you a chance to consider all the factors involved. You may have a test treatment on the same day. Only experienced doctors and laser nurse specialists who have received specialist training will treat you. Tattoo fading by Laser 3

4 How many treatments will I need? It depends on the type of pigment in the ink and the depth of the ink in the skin. The average course of treatments is 4-6 for an amateur tattoo and 12 for a professional tattoo. Treatments are spaced at least 8 weeks apart, to allow the body to absorb the treated pigment. Does treatment hurt? Some patients feel that it is like having a tattoo put on. Most can tolerate the treatment well. It is sometimes possible to use an anaesthetic cream to reduce the discomfort. Most patients find they do not need this. The cream is available on prescription and should be applied under a dressing for 2 hours before treatment. What will happen after treatment? After the first few treatments, the area will look whitened and swollen, then red and sometimes bruised for a few days. As treatments progress, the skin may bleed slightly during treatment, then scab over for about a week. We will dress the area if necessary and tell you how to look after it. Are there any alternatives to laser treatment? Tattoos can be removed by surgery, but this leaves a scar and may need a skin graft if the tattoo is large. Camouflage creams can be used to cover some tattoos. We hold a camouflage clinic monthly at the Laser Centre. Advice is also available from The British Association of Skin Camouflage. 4 Tattoo fading by Laser

5 How can I prepare for treatment? It is very important that your skin is as pale as possible before treatment. You should not have a suntan or use sun beds, false tan or holiday skin moisturisers. You must protect the area of the tattoo from the sun before and during the course of your treatment by using sun block or keeping the area covered. If your skin is dry, use a plain moisturiser over the area. If the tattoo is in a very hairy area, you may be asked to shave the area. Some medication and herbal remedies make your skin more sensitive to the laser. Please bring a list of your medicines to your assessment and tell us each time your medication changes. Are photographs necessary? We require photographs of the tattoo before you start a course of treatment and at intervals during your treatment. This helps us to monitor your progress and any side effects of treatment. You can request a photographer of the same sex as yourself if you wish. How can I make an appointment? The Laser Centre offers both an NHS and private service. For NHS patients a referral letter from your GP or hospital consultant is required before an appointment can be arranged. A referral letter may not be necessary for private treatment. Some treatments are only available privately. Staff at the centre can give you further details. Tattoo fading by Laser 5

6 Reference Kilmer and Anderson. (1993) Clinical Use of the Q-Switched Ruby and the Q-Switched Nd:YAG (1064nm and 532nm) Lasers for Treatment of Tattoos. Journal of dermatology, surgery and oncology, 19, pp Tattoo fading by Laser

7 How to contact us: Gate 24 Level 1 Brunel building Southmead Hospital Westbury-on-Trym Bristol BS10 5NB If you or the individual you are caring for need support reading this leaflet please ask a member of staff for advice. North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published November Review due November NBT002020