Tattoo removal

To carry out the treatment safely and effectively, we ask you to keep the following in mind:

• ✓Do not expose the skin to sunlight or sunbeds for 4 to 6 weeks before the treatment.
• ✓Do not scrub the skin in the days before the treatment.
• ✓Do not use products with irritating ingredients or exfoliants on the treatment area for 1 week before the treatment.
• ✓Come to the appointment with clean skin. The treatment area should be free of make-up, self-tanner, body lotion, deodorant and other skin products.
• ✓We deliberately carry out the first treatment without numbing cream, so we can properly assess how your skin reacts to the treatment.

After the treatment we apply a protective cream and cover the tattoo with a gauze pad. This gauze may stay on for a few hours. After that you may gently remove it.

You may experience some discomfort after the treatment. Because warmth builds up in the skin during the treatment, the treated area may continue to glow for a while. If you want to cool the skin, always do so in a gentle and indirect way. Never place a cold pack directly on the skin.

Immediately after the treatment a light whitening may be visible on the treated area. This is also called laser snow. Redness, swelling and small pinpoint bleeding may also occur. These are normal skin reactions and usually fade within 2 to 48 hours. Crusts, flakes or small blisters may also develop. This is part of the skin's healing process.

Important:

• ✓Do not pick at crusts or flakes. This can disrupt the healing process and cause scarring.
• ✓Do not burst blisters. Small blisters can be left to dry out on their own.

Contact us straight away if the skin reaction gets worse, if you have a lot of pain, if large blisters develop, or if you are unsure whether healing is progressing normally. Preferably send a clear photo, so we can better assess the skin reaction.

• ✓Keep the skin clean and dry during the first few days after the treatment.
• ✓Avoid swimming pools, jacuzzis and saunas until the skin has fully healed. We advise waiting at least 2 weeks.
• ✓Avoid intensive exercise for the first 48 hours.
• ✓Protect the skin daily with SPF 50+.

Aftercare

After the treatment we recommend caring for the skin at least twice a day with Alhydran. Do this for at least 1 week after the treatment, or longer if the skin is still dry, sensitive or healing. Alhydran is a protective and restorative cream that supports the skin barrier. Good aftercare helps the skin recover calmly and reduces the risk of irritation, crusting or disruption of the healing process.

Do you experience a lot of pain during the treatment? Then lidocaine/prilocaine cream may be an option at a future appointment.

This numbing cream is available from your GP. Using numbing cream? Then we ask you to apply a thick layer about 1 hour before the treatment and cover it with cling film. We will remove the cream at the clinic before we start the treatment.

This is not our standard preference. Numbing cream can make the skin softer, so the laser sometimes reaches the ink less effectively and the result may be less optimal.

Only use numbing cream on closed, intact skin. Always follow the instructions in the leaflet. Are you allergic to numbing cream, or are you unsure whether you can use it safely? Then first consult your GP or pharmacist.

Throughout the entire treatment course we advise you to be careful with sun exposure and sunbeds.

Avoid sun and sunbeds for 4 weeks before and after the treatment. Exposure to UV radiation can cause hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.

Tanned skin cannot be treated safely, because the laser responds to pigment. This increases the risk of pigment shifts, burns or, in exceptional cases, permanent skin damage.

Do you go out in the sun anyway? Then make sure the area with the tattoo is well protected and covered with clothing, a plaster, sports tape or another protective dressing. Also use SPF 50+ daily. Sunscreen alone is not always sufficient with direct sun exposure.

Before every treatment we assess the skin condition. If the skin is too tanned or we cannot carry out the treatment safely, the practitioner may decide to postpone the treatment. Your safety and skin health always come first.

It is important to keep at least 8 weeks between treatments. During this period the body is busy clearing the ink particles. Scheduling treatments closer together does not produce faster results.

Every skin and every tattoo responds differently to laser treatments. The average number of treatments we mention on the website or during the intake is therefore always an indication.

Factors such as the depth of the ink, colour use, skin type, lifestyle, medication, sun exposure and following advice can affect the final result. In some cases more treatments are needed than expected in advance. Because every skin, tattoo and bodily reaction is unique, we cannot guarantee an exact final result or the number of treatments required.

Pregnancy

Do you become pregnant during the treatment course? Please let us know. During pregnancy we temporarily pause the treatment course.