Tattoo removal

What is Tattoo Removal?

Tattoos are removed using a Pico Discovery laser with 3 wavelengths and the highest energy output on the market. This allows us to remove all colors in tattoos.

Most tattoo removal lasers available in Denmark unfortunately use outdated technology or nano Q-Switch technology, which too often results in ineffective results and more side effects.

The latest technology for tattoo removal is Pico. Pico lasers operate so fast that their speed is measured in picoseconds. This more than halves the time it takes to remove tattoos, with much greater safety and minimal side effects.

The laser breaks down the ink in the tattoo so that the ink particles can more easily be disposed of by the body’s own clearance system. The result is fewer required treatments and better chances to make the tattoo completely invisible without ghost shadows.

In cases of scarring under the tattoo (visible after the tattoo is removed), the Pico laser can also improve the scars. Side effects here may include redness and swelling for a few days after treatment.

Note! White tattoos are not removed because they spontaneously yellow and disappear on their own after months to years without treatment. They may afterwards appear as a colorless raised area resembling a burn mark or scar.

A typical treatment course can range from 6 to 12 sessions, with an interval of at least 6 weeks between treatments for optimal results. More sessions may be necessary.

Which areas can be treated?

We perform tattoo removal both on the face and the body.

How does the treatment work?

It is important that you are not sun-tanned when coming for treatment. Therefore, avoid sunbathing and tanning beds 4 weeks prior to treatment, and avoid self-tanning products on the area 2 weeks prior.

The treatment is not painless and can be performed under local anesthesia (numbing cream). You should arrive 45 minutes before treatment so the anesthesia can take effect.

If you want to apply the cream yourself at home, you can buy an over-the-counter numbing cream at the pharmacy. Apply a thick layer of the cream so the white color is clearly visible. Cover the area with plastic wrap (“Wita wrap”) to make the anesthesia more effective.

The treatment itself feels like a prickling heat, which may be felt in the skin for several hours afterward. You can take 1 gram of paracetamol about 1 hour before treatment to reduce any discomfort.

The laser’s high-frequency light waves are absorbed by the color pigments and break the pigment into smaller particles, which the body’s white blood cells gradually remove. The surrounding skin avoids overheating, so the top skin layer is not damaged.

The treated skin area may react immediately by turning white (“frosting”). This reaction is caused by evaporation of water in the epidermis when the pigment particles explode from the heat.

Immediately after treatment, an antibacterial cream and a small bandage are applied, which can be removed at home after 3-4 hours.

It is very important that the treated area does not get any sun exposure for the next 3-4 weeks. We always recommend using sunscreen before and after treatment with SPF 50+ including UVA and UVB protection.

What is the effect of the treatment?

As the tattoo fades, you will notice areas where ink has disappeared. This happens gradually over the course of treatments.

There are tattoos that cannot be fully removed or only partially. This is because some tattoos are placed very deep in the skin and because it’s never certain which colors have been used. Although the new Pico Discovery technology can penetrate unusually deep into the skin, complete removal cannot be guaranteed.

It is important to set expectations before treatment. No refunds are given for treatments.

Who cannot be treated?

• Pregnant women

• Relevant allergies

• If you have keloid formation

• If you have an active skin disease or skin cancer

• If you take medications or herbal remedies causing photosensitivity or coagulation disorders

• If there is an active infection in the area, including active herpes

Possible side effects?

During the first 24 hours, you may feel a burning or prickling sensation in the skin. For the first 1-2 days, the treated tattoo often looks crusty. The skin may feel tender for several weeks. Healing after a treatment happens very quickly (about 5 days compared to 14 days with nano Q-Switch lasers). It is also normal to experience itching in the treated area for weeks after treatments, and dry, peeling skin may occur. It is advisable to use a mild, fragrance-free moisturizing cream.

The risk of an allergic reaction during tattoo removal is very low and can be managed by the clinic. Small wounds and blisters may appear if heat development has been particularly high. This is a temporary issue. Infection is rare. The risk of skin damage, such as scarring, is significantly lower with the Pico laser. Additionally, the Pico laser in fractional mode can even repair scars. Scars may also have formed when the tattoo was originally made.

When the tattoo is fading or completely gone, some people may notice that the skin in the treated area is lighter than the surrounding (untreated) skin. This is because the laser has also removed normal skin pigment. This is rarely seen with dark colors using the Pico laser but can temporarily occur with colors and in darker skin types (skin types IV and V).

Often, it is never 100% known what tattoo ink consists of. For example, pure white ink often contains large amounts of magnesium oxide, a metal highly resistant to light and heat, but which changes color when heavily treated. In some cases, this color change allows better continuation of treatment but can also prolong the number of treatments and cause cosmetic issues. Therefore, customers must accept that any laser tattoo removal involves some risk of incomplete results—and in very rare cases, worsening of the cosmetic outcome. It should be emphasized that Apex has the best lasers and therefore a fantastic starting point to help – better than anyone else. The vast majority of treatments proceed without problems and with excellent results.

Sauna, intense physical training, chlorinated water, and sea bathing are not recommended during the first 24 hours.

EU Data Protection Regulation – Privacy Policy

We respect your privacy and comply with the EU’s data protection regulation. You can find an overview of the personal data we collect, why we collect it, the legal basis, your consent, and your rights here: https://www.dermocosmetic.dk/privatlivspolitik-forkunder

Information and Consent

After reading this written information, you will receive verbal information about the treatment and have the opportunity to ask questions. You will be asked about your health status. Withholding necessary information about your health or medication use may increase the risk of side effects. You have the option to bring a companion. After verbal information, the treatment may begin immediately—but only after you give your consent.