A client from the early days of NAAMA, Jarrod discovered the true meaning of the phrase, ‘tattoo removal is a process.’ He returned to our studio after a hiatus and found that his chest tattoo had continued to clear, as if by magic.
No magic secrets here. Just the supremely honed power of the body’s lymphatic system to clear unwanted ink particles from the skin.
That is, with a little gentle help from the low-energy LightSense™ laser system.
Jarrod’s story demonstrates the importance of the body’s natural immune system in the process of tattoo removal. After the laser treatment has been completed in our studio, the bulk of the clearance work happens in the following days and weeks in the background.
The tattoo clearance continues after clients leave our studio.
“I thought I knew a little bit about tattoo removal until I came here,” Jarrod told NAAMA.
He'd had his tattoo a long time before he first visited NAAMA. “I had a very deep tattoo, very dark. After fifteen years it hadn’t faded."
Then he came to our studio. "As the tattoo removal process was going, I had concerns about whether it was working. But as I learned about what was happening under the skin I got more confident as we went. I’m thrilled that it has gone.”
Before and after tattoo removal pictures. Final complete removal images to come!
Talk to one of our experts to start your removal journey
“My removal experience in one word: educational.”
How does laser tattoo removal work?
Contrary to any misconceptions about tattoo removal, the laser does not burn away the tattoo from the skin. The ink sits in the middle layer of the skin, the dermis, and so cannot be scrubbed or zapped away from the superficial layer.
The LightSense™ laser system uses controlled pulses of laser energy to gently shatter the ink particles inside the skin. These broken-apart particles are then conveyed out of the skin via the body’s natural lymphatic system.
The laser sets off a process that continues over the following days, weeks, and even years in Jarrod’s exceptional case. (The average tattoo takes around 8-12 sessions; sometimes fewer, sometimes more).
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A tattoo artist skillfully deposits ink into the dermis, the skin’s middle layer. The immune system responds to the ink as if a foreign body, swiftly attempting to clear it.
Specialised immune cells - macrophages - consume the large ink particles and they become lodged in the dermis. The tattoo is fixed in place.
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The LightSense™ laser system emits a precise beam of energy that shatters the ink pigment through a combination of photothermal and photoacoustic effects.
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Macrophages ingest the resultant tiny ink particles, before they’re evacuated through the lymphatic system.
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This elegant process, using the laser to shatter the ink apart, is repeated until all of the unwanted ink is removed.
On average it takes 8-12 sessions to fully clear a tattoo with treatments as often as every 2-3 weeks. We offer laser tattoo removal in months not years.
Where does tattoo removal take place?
“I expected a clinical facility, but there’s a lot of warmth here. Everything is clean and beautiful and well maintained, but there’s a personality here that can’t be denied.”
Is tattoo removal worth it?
“I do think tattoo removal is worth it. We’re always growing and changing. Just as much as we can grow into a tattoo, we can grow out of one.”
Talk to one of our experts to start your removal journey
Tattoo Removal FAQs
We recommend waiting three months between your last laser tattoo removal session and getting a cover-up. Your consultant will be best placed to give an exact answer as to how soon you can return to the artist’s chair for new ink.
How many treatments are needed to remove a tattoo cannot be determined in advance.
The speed at which a tattoo fades depends on many different factors, making it impossible to predict the exact number of sessions beforehand. Measurable Factors
Some factors can be objectively measured, these are referred to as measurable factors. Examples include:
Tattoo color: The darker the ink, the easier it is to remove. Lighter colors typically require more sessions to fade effectively.
Skin tone: Tattoos are generally easier to remove on lighter skin. The more pigment the skin contains, the more sessions are often needed to remove the tattoo successfully without altering the natural skin pigment. This is because lighter skin contains minimal melanin, whereas darker skin has higher melanin levels.
Tattoo size: Larger tattoos usually require more sessions to remove completely compared to smaller ones.
Location on the body: Tattoos located on areas with better blood circulation, such as the arms, legs, and torso, are typically easier to remove than those on areas with poor circulation, such as the ankles and fingers.
Age of the tattoo: Older tattoos are generally easier to remove than newer ones, as the ink tends to fade over time. Non-Measurable Factors
There are also other factors that influence how quickly a tattoo can be removed, but which cannot be measured. These are referred to as non-measurable factors. Examples include:
Tattoo depth: The deeper the tattoo was applied, the more treatments will be required for full removal.
Amount of ink: The quantity of ink used during tattooing plays a major role. The more ink present, the more sessions are generally needed to break it down and remove it effectively.
Ink quality: Different ink types have different compositions and may respond differently to laser treatment.
Scar tissue: Tattooing causes trauma to the skin, often resulting in the formation of subdermal scar tissue. While this may not always be visible, some tattoos show significant scarring. If scar tissue is present, additional treatments may be needed to achieve optimal results.
Overall health: A healthy body is better able to process and eliminate fragmented ink particles. Smoking, being under- or overweight, poor nutrition, and alcohol consumption can all negatively affect the number of treatments required.
Because these factors are not measurable, it is not possible to determine the exact number of treatments or guarantee final results before starting the process.
NAAMA Plus is our highly-curated offering of IV therapy, lymphatic drainage massage, and a range of specially-designed skincare products. It helps in the following ways:
Lymphatic drainage massage can help to stimulate the flow of lymph throughout the body. This is the mechanism that removes unwanted ink pigment.
IV therapy supercharges tattoo removal results by providing the body with a blend of vitamins, nutrients, electrolytes, minerals and antioxidants.
Our Heliocare 360° SPF will keep your skin safe before treatments.
The LightSense™ laser system is the most advanced pico laser. It is faster, safer, and more effective.
It works on ultra-low energy, which means less pain, lower risk of skin damage, and the opportunity to enjoy treatments as often as every 2-3 weeks.
Read more about the LightSense™ laser system here.