It’s been quite an interesting though worrying week here at the studio. Laser tattoo removal is largely unregulated which means that anyone can buy a laser and start working on your skin. Doing it properly involves professional training together with strict procedures in order to protect everyone involved…not just the client.
We saw one client earlier this week who had been elsewhere for laser treatments and, quite honestly, had been left scarred, with possible pigmentation loss as well. Apparently this was a big, well known clinic. The client recalled how each treatment had left his skin weeping and oozing for a considerable time….and the treatments had been extremely painful. He was not even certain that all the treatments had been via a laser. His tattoo had been left patchy (some ink had gone, some looked untouched) and his skin was still raised in places…almost certainly permanently damaged.
More worryingly, we saw a client recently who, whilst his skin looked ok, had been treated at a studio (now closed) where eye protection was not worn by either the laser operator or himself. Bear in mind that one stray shot from these lasers will leave a person blind. Also protective gloves were not worn (essential for hygiene purposes as there is often contact with blood), no consultation had been done (medical history is VITAL) and no after care advice offered. His treatments had been extremely painful with no pain relief offered. In addition, he had an armband tattoo that had been lasered over the entire circumference in one session. Not surprisingly this resulted in terrible pain, bleeding, swelling and oozing as a full circumference anywhere on the body should never be lasered in one session – the heat generated cannot dissipate quickly and easily and so the potential for nasty side effects is increased.
We will treat in both the above cases but with ‘kid gloves’ – trying to avoid or minimise any further skin damage. Each client is being treated as if brand new to laser treatments i.e consultations and patch testing were undertaken as always. But please if you go anywhere for laser tattoo removal leave immediately if suitable eye protection is not provided.
