Test Patch – What To Look For
Test patches are carried out to determine the treatment parameters and to judge how your skin and the tattoo might react to a full treatment. During a test patch, a small area of your tattoo will be treated and this allows the practitioner to assess how well the light energy is being absorbed and whether the skin and tattoo pigment will respond as expected.
Following the test patch, please make a note of any redness or swelling that occurs, along with how long it takes to subside. Also please let us know if the skin blisters or feels excessively hot for an extended period of time after treatment.

Pre-Treatment Advice
1)     The area to be treated should be free from make-up, perfume, deodorant and body or face creams. Be careful when using spray deodorant prior to treatment.
2)     There should be no active tan or fake tan including gradual tanners in the area to be treated. Use of sunbeds or prolonged exposure to sunlight or tanning injections are not allowed for at least a month prior to treatment and a minimum of SPF 30 must be used on the area between treatments. Suntans must be left to fade completely before treatment can start. Fake tans must also be fully faded before treatment can commence (usually 1 -2 weeks after application).
3)     We reserve the right to charge for any appointment booked but abandoned, cancelled, or changed due to active sun-tan or fake tan, or if you have a holiday planned in the sun and the area treated will be exposed to sun, unless we are given 48 hours notice.
4)     A medical history is taken at the consultation, but we rely on you to inform us of any changes to this. We need to know of any medication you are taking including those bought from a chemist or herbalist.
5)     Make sure that you arrive in good time for your appointment; this will allow us to pre-cool the skin if this should be required.

Immediately After Tattoo Removal Treatment
1.     The tattoo can be cooled to aid with comfort and reduce swelling.
2.     Light Soothe Serum or Aloe vera gel will be applied after treatment and it is recommended that the serum is applied 3 times daily for at least one week after treatment.
3.     A small amount of bleeding may occur. A non-adherent dressing will be placed over the treated area if needed and secured with micropore tape.
4.     The tattoo may appear to be bruised with a grey or purple colour after treatment. The discolouration will fade during the next 7-12 days.
5.     Mild swelling, redness, blistering and tenderness can occur and will normally last for up to one week.

Homecare Advice
1.     In some instances, blisters may form in the area (more common with red tattoos) followed by a scab or thin crust. If blistering does occur keep the area clean and dry and allow to heal naturally.  Do not use any lotions or creams on open skin as this may increase the risk of infection. If any scabs or crusting forms, it should be allowed to fall off on its own. The underlying skin will remain red for a few days to several weeks. To minimise complications do not remove crusts.
2.     Showering/bathing is permitted after 24 hours but take cool showers rather than hot baths. Gently pat the area dry; do not rub with a towel or washcloth. The skin should be patted dry and not rubbed.
3.     Do not apply make-up on the treated area until it is fully healed.
4.     Protect the area from the sun for the first 2 weeks. Use sunblock of at least SPF 30  or avoid any sun exposure on the treated area between treatments and for at least one month after treatment ends.
5.     Massage may help disperse the pigment once the area is fully healed.
6.     If the treatment area shows any signs of infection: - profound redness, pus, swelling or tenderness, inform your doctor immediately
7.     Skin can develop temporary lightening (hypo-pigmentation) or darkening (hyper-pigmentation) after laser treatment. Both can be made worse by sun exposure. Pigment changes may be permanent, but will usually resolve within 3-6 months.
8.     Blistering is a normal healing response to tattoo removal, blisters should normally heal 3-14 days after treatment. If blistering occurs please keep the area covered with a dressing provided after treatment. Keep the area clean and dry and allow to heal naturally. Please do contact the clinic for further advice. Do not use any lotions or creams on open skin as this may increase the risk of infection. DO NOT pick grazes or pick or pop blisters – as this may increase the chance of a scar occurring. Once the skin has healed, a high protection sunscreen should be used daily for 12 months to prevent pigmentation changes to the skin.
9.     Following the treatment, there may be pinpoint bleeding and the tattoo can feel very itchy 3 days after the treatment, however, do not scratch the area.
10.   The skin may look white following the treatment. This normal and is due to the ejection of particles and vapour from the skin.

Courses Information
1)     Prepaid courses are non-transferable and are non-refundable.
2)     Prepaid value can not be exchanged for a different body part or treatment.
3)     Prepaid courses can not be split or shared.
4)     Remaining treatments are only refundable for medical reasons. Any refund agreed is calculated by deducting the full list price of all treatments already taken, plus any charged for non-attendance, from the total price of the course of treatment. Free treatments given as part of a course have no refund value.
5)     More than 48hrs cancellation notice must be given otherwise you woll be charged 30% of the value of the treatment.
6)     If you do not attend an appointment or you attend with a contraindication e.g an active tan or fake tan on the treatment area and can not be treated you will be charged 50% of the treatment value.
7)     In the event of short term side effects such as reddening, bruising, swelling, mild burning or blistering, hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation, as well as rare side, affects such as scarring and permanent discolouration we do not offer a refund or transfer of payment.
8)     During the course and for 4 weeks after it is your responsibility to stay out of the sun and to avoid any tan on the treated area.
9)     If you have not had a treatment for more than 6 months you will need another test patch. For which you will be charged £25.

What to do if you are concerned?

If you have any concerns or queries regarding the treated area, please phone the clinic for advice on 01606 841255 or if we are not open and you require more urgent advice phone 07858 118117