Unveiling Our New Studio: Elevating Your Tattoo Removal Journey

In 2012, Amanda McKinnon embarked on a journey that would change the laser tattoo removal industry in Adelaide forever. Amanda was inspired to step into the world of laser tattoo removal by her husband Kelly, a well-respected tattoo artist. Having a strong understanding of the ever-growing tattoo industry, the need for safe and effective removal and a wealth of business knowledge made the foundation that we know today as LaserTat.

LaserTat quickly gained popularity amongst those seeking tattoo removal and fading services. The demand for our expertise and care grew, leading to the opening of a second clinic located in Munno Para. This expansion marked a significant milestone to Amanda’s commitment to serving a broader clientele.

From the very beginning, the vision for LaserTat was based around values set by Amanda; an all-inclusive, welcoming and safe space for all clients and their tattoo removal needs, dedicated to client results and satisfaction. We are incredibly proud of our business and are always eager to stay at the forefront of tattoo removal technology. Did you know that we are the only clinic located in South Australia to offer both Q-Switch and Pico-Second technology?! This sets us apart from the other businesses within the removal industry, as we are able to laser tattoos with maximum effectiveness, having access to 3 different wavelengths.

LaserTat has become a trusted name in the laser tattoo removal industry over the past decade with a new vision in mind … a new location! Whilst we are sad to be closing our Munno Para clinic, we are very excited to bring our clients a single-purpose built destination designed exclusively for tattoo removal! So much care and dedication has gone into our new space to bring our clients the best possible results and experience. With multiple laser rooms and a beautiful asethic fit-out, we aim to instill a sense of calmness and relaxation for all our clients. The goal is to make every client feel at ease, knowing they are in a place that cares about their comfort and understands that having laser tattoo removal is no easy task. By incorporating multiple laser rooms, it will allow us to cater to a range of schedules and needs with access to both Q-Switch and Pico-Second technology.

Every detail of our new space has been well thought-out to the finest details. From warm lighting to greet you as you walk in the door and all the way down our grand hallway, to the use of cohesive colours and textured throughout the entire space. LaserTat has a reputation for excellence and now we have the clinic space to match. Our location at 234 St Vincent Street, Port Adelaide is located right next door to our brother business, Black Diamond Tattoo studio only separated by a sliding door. Built in the 1800’s, our beautiful clinic internally pays respect to its heritage features, including high ceilings, original safe area and considered fit out.

On Saturday the 21st of October we officially opened the new doors in style! We celebrated with give aways, live laser demonstrations, food and drinks we had it all! We are grateful to each and every one of you for coming to celebrate this huge milestone for our business.

LaserTat’s new destination represents our commitment to excellence, comfort and client satisfaction. It’s a place where innovation meets compassion, and where clients can confidently embark on their tattoo removal journey. Our new clinic has a beautiful and calming environment, top-tier technology, and a team of caring professionals, our new LaserTat destination stands as a testament to our dedication to providing the ultimate tattoo removal experience.

Our construction journey began in April, and after dedicated efforts over the subsequent six months, we successfully transformed our vision into reality.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the skills tradespeople and dedicated staff who collaborated to bring this project to fruition.

We are absolutely delighted with our new space and the positive impact it will have on our valued clients. We’re looking forward to welcoming you all for your treatments at 234 St Vincent Street.

Conquering the impossible

Read our heartwarming story of how we helped our client remove a medical stain from an iron infusion gone wrong

Laser tattoo removal is not always as simple as it appears on our website or social media platforms. Our treatments can sometimes extend beyond the removal of conventional skin tattoos or cosmetic tattoos. You may be thinking what can the removal of an unconventional tattoo entail? Let us introduce you to a participant from our Fresh Start program who embarked on a journey that led us into uncharted territory here at Lasertat. A young lady, afflicted with a rare medically caused 'tattoo', presenting us with a unique challenge. Fuelled by our passion for innovation, we embraced her case, striving to provide a solution. Continue reading to learn of our approach to the removal of a truly distinctive medical tattoo, along with the firsthand experiences shared by our client, Lainy.

Let us state that by sharing this story Lainy and her mum hope that they can help others who may have encountered similar circumstances and provide hope for a new beginning.
Lainy embarked on her laser journey with us in 2021, becoming our youngest participant in the Fresh Start program. Following an ill-fated intravenous iron infusion administered by an untrained nurse, Lainy found herself with a sizable iron stain on her arm.
Lainy underwent an iron infusion procedure aiming to address her medical needs. During the treatment Lainy endured an agonizing sensation as if her arm was on fire. It was later discovered that the infusion, intended to last an hour, was hastily completed in just 20 minutes. After the procedure, the nurse tightly bandaged Lainy's arm, and she returned to school. However, upon removing her jacket later in the day, Lainy was horrified to discover patches all over her arm. In a state of alarm, Lainy and her mum promptly revisited the GP, who referred them to the hospital due to concerns of potential necrosis. At the hospital, they were informed of two critical errors during the infusion. Firstly, the area should not have been bandaged, as the tightness caused the iron to seep out of the vein. Secondly, the nurse had removed the needle improperly. The hospital staff initially assured Lainy and her mum that the stain would naturally fade in the following days. Unfortunately, this was not the case, and Lainy's condition worsened, leading to her hospitalization with a fever of 41 degrees celsius.

 “I would describe the circumstances I found myself in as scary and uncertain. I had never experienced something like this, so the combination of the physical sickness and the huge stain both freaked me out a lot.” - Lainy

The large iron stain was severely impacting Lainy’s self-esteem and often confined her to her home. Iron stains are generally an uncommon outcome from an iron infusion and can sometimes be permanent without the intervention of any treatment. The appearance of an iron stain can be described as severe hyperpigmentation, being dark brown or grey in pigment. As a result, Lainy often found herself subjected to curious stares and inquiries about the origin of the stain.

Images taken the day after iron infusion:

Upon consulting with a dermatologist, Lainy received disheartening news that there were no viable options available to address her situation. However, driven by her mother's tireless efforts, they discovered our clinic, hopeful that laser treatments could potentially provide a solution. Working closely with Cynosure, the manufacturer of our lasers, we gained access to research papers detailing successful cases of iron stain removal utilizing Q-Switch and Picosure lasers. Despite the promising findings, it was still uncertain for both Lainy and our team, if her iron stain could be effectively removed.

 “I felt helpless thinking that the stain was going to be permanent. When it was more prominent, I couldn’t leave the house without multiple people pointing it out and asking about it through the day. It made me very insecure for a while. My mum reached out to a skin specialist to see if there was anything we could do. When we arrived at his clinic, the receptionist told us that he had said he’d researched it and there was nothing that he could do for us. This was an even scarier thought, because at this stage we knew it wasn’t going to fade on its own.

After being turned down by the skin specialist, my Mum went hard-core Mum mode and scoured the internet for hours. She eventually found an article about how laser tattoo removal can be an effective treatment for iron staining, and reached out to LaserTat shortly after.” - Lainy

As we have already mentioned Lainy joined our Fresh Start program & became our youngest participant to date. Our Fresh Start program is something that our business is very proud of and we often speak of it in social media posts and blogs; let’s recap. LaserTat’s Fresh Start program is devoted to making laser tattoo removal more accessible to people in vulnerable and financially unstable circumstances. The program offers free treatments to those who desperately want to leave their past and unwanted tattoos behind. There is criteria in place for applicants to be considered eligible for the program, one of those is having medical tattoos. Medical tattoos are used in the field of medicine to mark areas of the body for various reasons, such as, radiation therapy targets, surgical incision lines, or identification of specific medical conditions or allergies. Lainy's circumstances fell into a category that met this criteria. Amanda, the owner of LaserTat, had no hesitation in accepting Lainy into the program, recognizing the significant impact it was having on a young girl's well-being. Not to mention that treating Lainy's iron stain would have otherwise cost their family thousands of dollars for an unintended mistake that caused the stain in the first place.

With the transparency of iron stain removal being new territory for us, Lainy was happy to proceed and commit to the removal treatments. During each appointment, we evaluated the affected area, discussed the healing process from the previous treatment, and assessed the effectiveness of the settings and wavelengths used. Employing a combination of all three wavelengths, we targeted the iron at various depths within the skin. In numerous instances, we utilized a double pass of the laser, incorporating multiple wavelengths to optimize the efficacy of iron stain removal. Over time, we began seeing remarkable results using these techniques. Lainy faced challenges during her journey, particularly in the initial stages, experiencing blistering, swelling, and occasional pinpoint bleeding, making the healing process demanding.

 “My experience having laser has been amazing. Every now and then healing has been quite painful, but that tends to be when we see the best results. It’s a lot easier and quicker than you might think. Not only that, but the team has been absolutely brilliant throughout this entire process. There is so much care and compassion and all of the laser technicians I’ve met have such a strong drive to help throughout this process. I would absolutely recommend LaserTat to anybody struggling with an iron stain like I have.” - Lainy

Post laser images – healing (not from the same treatment):

We have been truly inspired by Lainy's perseverance and commitment to her laser treatments, and we are incredibly grateful to Lainy for allowing us to share her unique story. While we are not yet at the end of her laser journey, we are approaching the final stages and can't wait for the complete removal of her iron stain. We are honoured to be a part of and to have witnessed Lainy's renewed sense of comfort and confidence in her skin.

“The Fresh Start Program has changed my life in so many ways. The stain has faded almost completely in a big patch on my arm, and the rest of the fading is so significant that I rarely get comments or questions anymore. So not only has the fresh start program helped me cosmetically, but financially it’s been a lifesaver. I am so grateful to LaserTat for their generosity and compassion, because if not for that, I never would have been able to have this treatment or have the results I’ve gotten.” - Lainy

Before 1st treatment 12/5/2021:

After 8 treatments – a year later 20/05/2022:

After 12 treatments – most recent photos 10/03/2023:

If you would like to know more, book a consultation or come in for your next laser appointment, please contact us:

Online bookings available via our website: www.lasertat.com.au/book

Email: info@lasertat.com.au

Phone: 0421 132 734

Have you ever wondered what the most common tattoos we remove are?

Over the past 10 years at LaserTat, we have accumulated over 6,000 clients, so you can imagine that we have seen every kind of tattoo there is. But have you ever wondered… what are the most common tattoos clients are wanting to rid their body of?

Here are our top 5!

Names  

Whether it be your ex-partners name, an old friends’ or even a complete strangers’ name, you can guarantee that we have seen it all. On a daily basis we have clients coming into our clinics to remove these names, making names our most common tattoo to remove. More common than others is of course the dreaded ex’s name. You’ve heard tattoo artists swear against it, but that doesn’t stop everyone! Don’t get us wrong, there are many people out there who are still with the loved one they have inked on their body who do not and will not require our assistance; tell us your secret!

On a more serious note, our Fresh Start Program often brings in clients that have been forced to have their partners names tattooed on them. We take pride in the fact that we can help these clients remove their tattoos free of charge in such serious and inhumane circumstances.

Tramp Stamp  

You know what we are talking about, the days of low rise jeans and crop tops also brought us the notorious tramp stamp. Ladies of the early 2000’s we are talking to you!

If you yourself do not have a one, we can guarantee an aunty, mum or sister does! But believe it or not, it’s not just women that we laser with tramp stamps. That’s right, we have also lasered others with the dying tattoo trend, even males!

Stress not, the placement of a tramp stamp being on the lower back actually means that it has a quicker rate of fading due to the fact that it is close to the body’s core. While it may be one of the more painful spots to have lasered, in our experience the tramp stamp generally responds really well to laser.

Tribal

Big and bold – behold the tribal tattoo phase! Majority of our clients that come through with a tribal tattoo often choose to get a cover up rather than go down the path of complete removal. Clients want something new and updated they can show off, rather than the time stamp of a trend that died off some time ago. Made popular from the TV classic ‘Underbelly’, the tattoo is often large covering at least quarter of the arm/leg/back. However, tribal tattoos are often made up of black ink, making it the easiest colour to remove.

Home Jobs

Whoever thought tattooing was easy and no experience was necessary is ballsy! Combine a tattoo ‘gun’ (machine), homemade ink and a group of friends under the influence (or not) and you’ve got a collection of home job tattoos. Due to the inexperience with a tattoo machine, these tattoos are often very light in the skin or blown out. These factors make home job tattoos quite easy to remove. Don’t worry, we aren’t judging - tattoo artists take years of training to perfect their art!

Of course our favourite home job tattoo to remove has to be the ol’ penis tattoo. We probably all know someone with one. Usually small and a little rough around the edges!

Face Tattoos

If you follow us on Instagram, Facebook or even on Tik Tok, you may absolutely cringe at the thought of the pain involved while watching us laser face tattoos. To us, these clients are superheroes that are pretty much invincible when it comes to pain!

Sometimes, clients that are heavily covered in tattoos want to remove the ones that are visible, or in some cases remove them all. Whilst face tattoos have never gone out of style, it can conflict with certain employment opportunities or simply a change of lifestyle. Many people with face tattoos love having them there but the attention it brings is often tiring and unjustified making it a popular choice for removal.

Whilst it may look like one of the most painful places to remove a tattoo, it’s actually not. Often face tattoos are only small so treatments are usually over within minutes or even seconds.

Honourable mentions:

Choosing the top 5 most popular tattoos to remove was no easy task and we have to include a few honourable mentions that didn’t quite make the list!

Cosmetic eyebrows, the Southern Cross, wedding bands and other finger tattoos are all up there in our most common to remove. We’re seeing a big increase in cosmetic ink removal including eyebrows and also SMP (scalp micropigmentation). As these services become more popular to have done, so does the rate of it not being what the client was expecting or wanting.

Over time and as society changes and evolves, so do we. This plays a big part in why people change their mind about their tattoos or outgrow the reasons behind getting a tattoo.

All of our Laser Technicians are extremely understanding of these circumstances as each of us are currently removing or have removed tattoos and mistakes of our own. We are dedicated to providing a welcoming, safe and judgemental free environment for all tattoo removal needs no matter the tattoo or reasons behind them.

We absolutely love helping our clients remove tattoos they no longer like or feel comfortable having on their bodies. There’s no better feeling seeing our clients be happy and confident in their own skin again once we remove their tattoo/s.

If you would like to know more, book a consultation or come in for your next laser appointment, please contact us:

Online bookings available via our website: www.lasertat.com.au/book

Email: info@lasertat.com.au

Phone: 0421 132 734

Why are some tattoos easier to remove than others?

There are several key factors that determine why some tattoos are easier to remove than others. We’ll narrow in on the most important ones in hopes to shed light on such a popular question.

Age of tattoo:

In terms of removal success, tattoos age just like a fine wine, the older the better!

It’s true, generally the older the tattoo the better it responds to laser. Tattoo ink is a foreign object in the body, therefore our immune system is always attacking the ink trying to get rid of it. This is the reason our tattoos fade over time, meaning the older the tattoo the less ink there is in the skin compared to a freshly done tattoo.

A freshly done tattoo will hold a lot of ink in the skin as the immune system has not yet gone to work to remove it over time.

Colour of tattoo:

Believe it or not, black ink is one of the easiest colours to remove. This is because black is an absorbing colour in comparison to white or yellow for example which is reflective. It is important that the ink absorbs the laser light to heat up the ink pigment to the point that it shatters, then allowing the body to remove those shattered particles through its lymphatic system.

Multi-colour tattoos require more than 1 wavelength to treat. Each wavelength of laser will target different colours and different depths of ink in the skin. This is the reason we have two lasers in our clinic (Picosure and Q-switch Revlite). This allows us to utilise 3 different wavelengths, 1064, 532 and 755 ultimately providing faster results for both black and colour ink particles.

White also plays a big part in pastel & cosmetic ink pigments. These colours are always more difficult to remove, often requiring more treatments as they can oxidise (meaning they go darker first).

Density of ink:

The more ink that’s in the skin, the more laser treatments the tattoo is going to need!

The deeper and darker the ink is, the further the laser has to penetrate to then be able to shatter it for your body to remove. This is why fine line and grey wash shading responds to laser at record speed. The density of ink is shallow and not as compact in comparison to a traditional and heavy line tattoo that lies deeper in the skin.

Size of the tattoo:

Just like the density, if we have a bigger tattoo there is obviously going to be more ink for the body to remove than a smaller tattoo.

Larger tattoos can often need more treatments as there is more ink particles to be processed by your immune system. On occasions we also need to split larger tattoos into separate treatments so we don’t overload the immune system. There’s a lot of work going on under the skin, don’t forget we need to allow your body time to not only remove the ink but also heal the area as well.

Location of tattoo:

Location, location, location!

Circulation is an important key factor when it comes to laser. A tattoo that is closest to our core, chest, neck and head have a better response rate to a laser treatment. Blood tends to flow slower the further away we get from the core and those areas. Therefore, lower legs, feet, fingers, etc. have a slower response rate to laser.

Immune system:

A strong and supported immune system is your greatest ally when it comes to laser tattoo removal. A laser machines job is to break the ink particles down as small and as effective as possible. The more active your immune system, the easier the shattered ink particles are going to be carried away. Eating well, sleeping well and not having laser treatments while your body is compromised by fatigue, injury or illness will help your body achieve its best results.

Drinking plenty of water, light active exercise and sleeping well can also contribute to a faster immune response to the laser. It almost goes without saying, the healthier you are, the quicker your body is going to remove the ink.

Type of ink:

A lot of people may not be aware but there are 100’s of different types of professional and amateur inks. We can’t always tell what brand or type of ink has been used in the tattoo and this can have a varied effect on how quickly it will respond.

Most standard tattoo ink colours are derived from heavy metals including carbon, titanium dioxide, iron oxide, lead, cobalt-nickel, chromium, and arsenic. Some of these metals are harder to break up with the laser than others and can require more treatments.

Time:

Patience is your best friend when it comes to tattoo removal. The LONGER you leave in between your laser appointments, the more results you will achieve. Your body will continue to process and remove the shattered ink particles for many weeks, months and even years.

While it’s not in everyone’s best interest to wait years between treatments, we can still maximise results leaving a few extra weeks between those treatments and allowing the body to remove more ink.

Quality of laser machine and operator:

This is such an important factor and one in which we invest heavily in! We have two of the BEST laser machines in the world so we can offer our clients the highest standard of laser technology possible. Our lasers from Cynosure are the Picosure and the Revlite C6. We use both Picosure and Q-switch technology to offer 3 wavelengths in order to maximise results and treat all colours.

Now the technology is all well and good, but we wouldn’t be where we are now without over 10 years experience in removing tattoos. Understanding what it takes to remove a tattoo as safely and as quickly as possible is not something you learn overnight. This takes experience, great understanding of skin, ink particles, different types of tattoos and how to use our technology to the best advantage for each individual tattoo.

Our approach has always been tailored to the individual as every tattoo is different and can respond differently based on all the above factors we have just mentioned. Once we assess the tattoo and individual we are able to come up with the most effective treatment plan in order to achieve fast and safe results.

We’ve broken down some of our before and after’s to demonstrate why these key factors are so important.

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Greywash and location

Here is an amazing example why we emphasise on the location of where your tattoo is and why it plays such a large factor in the removal process. Paired up with the grey wash in this tattoo, we have a match made in heaven. Our client here also left many months between treatments allowing the tattoo to achieve maximum fading between treatments.

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Older tattoo

It is commonly known that the older the tattoo, the easier it is to remove. With the tattoo ink being dormant in the client’s skin for decades and then being shattered by a laser treatment, it faded incredibly for our client to be able to receive this amazing cover-up

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Colour and density of ink.

With this particular tattoo, the density of ink was close to the surface of the skin and majority of the tattoo was made up of grey wash/shading. Combining these two factors together resulted with complete removal in only 2 treatments for this client!

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Location and newer tattoo

While this tattoo is only small, it is on the wrist area, freshly done and sitting fairly deep in the skin. The results have been a little slower in this area as it’s further away from the heart, meaning less blood flow.

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Depth and density of ink

This tattoo is by no means a ‘fine line’ tattoo. There was a considerable amount of ink that needed to be broken down in order to achieve a complete removal

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Density and scarring

Unfortunately being small in size doesn’t always mean easy removal.
This tattoo was done several times to the point of scar formation protruding from the skin. Scar tissue is thicker, making it harder for the laser to pass as effective as it sits above the ink in the tattoo.

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Newer tattoo

We commenced laser treatments on this tattoo only months after it was first done. The newer the tattoo, the harder the body has to work to remove the ink, which is why this tattoo in particular took 14 treatments to achieve such results. This client also left over a year between her last treatments which allowed her body to continue to fade her tattoo.

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Colour tattoos

Here is a prime example of how multiple wavelengths are required to treat different colours of ink within a tattoo. This client had a Picosure treatment which targets blue, purple, green and black. Red ink is treated on a completely different wavelength (532), which means it will require the use of both a Q-Switch and Picosure laser in order to target all the colours within this particular tattoo.

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Want to know more?

Click HERE to book your consultation at our Port Adelaide or Munno Para clinic to discuss your treatment options today.

10 things you need to know before starting laser

Thinking of starting your very own laser journey? Not sure where to start, what to do or what to expect? You’re not alone. We’ve answered the most common laser questions in hopes of making your entry into the world of laser a little less daunting.

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1)     Does it hurt? Like really bad?

It can be a bit of an intense feeling. However, we always recommend the use of numbing cream to anyone who is nervous about the feeling of laser. With numbing cream and the use of our cooling machine most of the discomfort is eliminated.  Laser tattoo removal is often compared to the sensation you’d feel if flicking a hot rubber band on the skin. Not overly pleasant, but it’s over in a flash — literally seconds!

2)    Can I achieve a ‘complete removal’?

It is certainly possible in most cases. We have seen fantastic results over the past 10 years from majority of our clients needing between 6-12 treatments. How achievable this is depends on various factors including overall health, colour/type of ink used and how deep the ink is in the skin. For example if there is excessive scarring in the tattoo, this can hinder the complete removal process.

3)    How many treatments will it take?

Generally we recommend 2-4 treatments to fade for a cover up and 6-12 treatments for a complete removal. All treatments are spaced approximately 6 to 8 weeks apart. This allows enough time for the skin to heal and eliminate as much of the ink as possible through the body’s lymphatic system. The number of treatments depend on the size, complexity and depths of the ink, as well as several other factors.

4)    Can you give me a time frame?

Not exactly! In the tattoo removal industry, time and patience is everything! !n some cases it can take up to 1-2 years if not longer for a complete removal hence why patience is so important.

5)    Are there people with certain health conditions you can’t treat?

As everybody is completely different, so are their health conditions. All of our clients must attend a comprehensive consultation prior to a treatment. In this consultation we complete a full assessment of your overall health, current medications & your specific tattoo. This determines if we can go ahead with the treatment or require a doctor’s recommendation before proceeding.

 6)    What kind of price am I looking at?

Straight up: getting a tattoo completely removed is usually more expensive than having one put on. The price of laser tattoo removal depends upon the size, colour, density of ink, location of the tattoo and the number of treatments required. Our starting price is $120 per treatment of a small tattoo. Learn more about our pricing on our website or feel free to contact us for a quote!

7)    Will I scar?

Scarring is super rare with tattoo removal! With our advanced laser system we are able to target the ink particles with the least amount of skin interaction possible. Often there can be scarring present when the tattoo was done, which in this case, will stay present once the ink has been removed. Following our carefully prepared after care instructions is just as important as looking after a new tattoo.

8)     PicoSure VS Q-Switch?

What’s better than one laser machine? Two!

Both lasers perform well in their own right, so there is no clear winner here!
PicoSure performs amazingly well on cooler ink colours that previous technology could not. Absolutely no other laser in the industry compares to this, which is why it is known as the Rolls Royce of laser tattoo removal machines!

The Q-Switch is an incredible workhorse in the laser industry. Particularly with the 1064 wavelength which is able to consistently treat black inks and penetrate deeper into the skin to help clear out stubborn pigments.

It’s the combination of both technologies being used together which optimises the capability of removing all colours, depths and types of inks. This is where the magic happens!

9)    How long does a treatment take?

With our Q-Switch laser firing at 10 pulses per second and our PicoSure laser firing in picoseconds (one trillionth of a second), treatments are super quick! Most treatments last from only a few seconds for a smaller tattoo to a few minutes for a large tattoo. Then, once the treatment is complete we apply cooling Laser Aid cream and bandage the area. We then run through your aftercare instructions ensuring you the best healing possible. We allow half an hour for your appointment overall.

 10)  Are there any side effects?

Side effects are an expected part of the tattoo removal process for a majority of clients. In fact, this is an important part of the healing process as it is the immune response that helps eliminate ink from the skin.

The most common side effects are:

•          Swelling

•          Redness

•          Tenderness

 And in some cases:

•          Blistering

•          Bruising

•          Scabs

As everyone is so different, so is our healing process! We all heal and react to laser differently but all of the above indicates to us that your body is doing exactly what it should be!

There is a non-refundable fee of $50 for our consultations which will be deducted from your treatment cost if you decide to go ahead with a laser treatment.

What have you got to loose except that tattoo?

Get in touch today.

How much does laser tattoo removal cost?

When it comes to the cost of a laser treatment, we determine pricing on more than just size per cm. We also look at the colour and density of ink in your tattoo.

Although this makes it difficult to provide an exact price before seeing your tattoo, it means we assess each tattoo and determine a price that’s subject to your exact treatment requirements. We choose to quote this way in order to give our clients the best possible price for their tattoo.

For example:

A tattoo that is just an outline will be cheaper than if it was fully coloured and saturated – less ink and less colour means a cheaper price.

We hope the following information gives you a better insight of what you may be charged for your laser tattoo removal treatment. Sending us an image of your tattoo is the best way to get an exact quote from us. You can do this via:

•         Facebook Message: LaserTat – Tattoo Removal Adelaide

•         Instagram Direct Message: @lasertat

•         SMS: 0421 132 734

•         Email: info@lasertat.com.au

FRequently ASKED PRICING QUESTIONS

Why are fully saturated tattoos more expensive?

The more saturated your tattoo is – either with black & grey ink or colour, the more of an area the laser must run over opposed to just an outline of a tattoo. The time and energy of the laser is reflected in your pricing.

Why are coloured tattoos more expensive?

Laser tattoo removal machines work by targeting different colours of ink in the skin and shattering the particles small enough for your body to remove. Targeting different colours requires us to use multiple wavelengths and machines, making your treatment more expensive.

Do you price match?

Our pricing structure is based on many factors including, quality and maintenance of our lasers, training and qualifications of our staff. Not to forget the decade of knowledge and experience within the laser industry. It’s for these reasons we do not price match with other laser clinics. We are the only clinic is South Australia to offer both Cynosure Q-Switch & PicoSure technology. Cynosure is one of the world leading medical laser manufactures. Having both lasers gives us the upper hand when it comes to not only all colours but all depths of ink.

What are your payment options?

We accept cash and all major cards.

We know laser is a luxury service and to help ease the sting we also offer Afterpay & the option to ‘pay for 3 get the 4th free’. By paying for 3 laser treatments upfront we give you your 4th treatment for free. This special is not valid with any other offer/special.

Signing up to our mailing list via our website will also get you a sneaky $20 off your first treatment.

How many treatments do I need?

Generally we recommend between 2-4 treatments to fade for a cover up and between 6-12 treatments for a complete removal.

Click here for before & after results.

How long should I leave between treatments?

We recommend a minimum of 6 weeks between your laser treatments. This allows for adequate healing and fading to take place. However, the longer you leave between your treatments the more your tattoo will continue to fade.

It’s important we’re able to give our clients the best possible price, results and service when it comes to tattoo removal. This is why we offer no obligation consultations at both our Port Adelaide & Munno Para clinics. Understanding your specific treatment process and pricing gives you one more step in the right direction towards your laser journey. There is a non-refundable fee of $50 for our consultations which will be deducted from your treatment cost if you decide to go ahead with a laser treatment.

To book a consultation with our friendly Laser Technicians please contact us here.

Curt's Journey – Life changing laser tattoo removal

For some people the thought of beginning (or even continuing) laser tattoo removal can be very daunting. But when it means that your life will literally change as a result, it gives you the motivation to stay committed to the process.

Curt’s tattoos before commencing tattoo removal

Curt’s journey to remove all his visible tattoos was no easy ride, in fact it was probably one of the toughest we have seen.  Curt’s strength and determination to achieve the results needed is truly inspiring.

Curt has kindly offered to share his story in the hope that it may help others push through those harder barriers of beginning and staying committed to the laser journey.

Curt has been a tattoo artist for the last 10 years and after getting married and having 2 children he decided he wanted a career change to the Australian Defence Force.

He first applied for the ADF in April 2019 and was advised that their policy was that they would not accept any visible tattoos from the collar up. Curt was heavily tattooed on his neck, head and face and began laser tattoo removal on these areas immediately knowing that this could be a 1-2 year process or longer for complete removal.

Curt would come in every 3-4 weeks and we would split his sessions into different areas, face, left side neck, central neck, right side of neck and scalp. Each session he used numbing cream to assist with the pain as these areas are some of the most pain sensitive on the body. It was no easy task, some days we would need to reschedule as the numbing cream had not been effective or applied for long enough. Healing was also a struggle from time to time with some treatments resulting in swelling, blistering and pin point bleeding on the areas.

Curt also undertook many other tasks to better his chances of acceptance including completing an ADF preparation Maths course at TAFE SA (as he did not finish Maths in year 10), bringing his health and fitness up to speed and he also had his stretched ear lobes surgically stitched up.

In April 2020 Curt was offered a position into the ADF and had to send through photos of where he was at with his laser treatments. Unfortunately at this point he wasn’t fully accepted as the tattoos were still too dark, especially under his chin. We continued with frequent treatments to lighten and remove his tattoos even further.

Curt was able to progress with other areas of his application during this time and passed medical tests and passed PFA fitness tests, every 6 weeks. Had a further assessment day/job interview in Feburary 2021 and was told he would be put forward for a position as soon as tattoos were removed. 

In June 2021 he was again asked to send through new photos of his tattoo removal progress, including before and afters and was given a waiver for his remaining tattoos (under chin) so that his application could progress further. We had almost fully removed all other tattoos, however his chin tattoo was very deeply tattooed into the skin and was proving to be the most stubborn one out of all his tattoos. Thankfully it was under his chin and much less noticeable. The waiver was approved in July 2021 and presented to the head recruitment officer. 

When Curt’s application and waiver, including the before and after images were presented to the head recruitment officer, he was so impressed with the process Curt has been through and the progress of the tattoo removal he offered Curt a position in the next intake immediately.

In July 2021 he received a formal job offer and enlistment date for August 2021.

We are so proud and inspired by the progress and transformation Curt has undertaken to achieve his goal to enter the ADF. There’s no better feeling than being able to help our clients achieve their goals and in some cases completely change their lives for the better.

Curt has kindly provided some feedback on his tattoo removal journey and experience:

”For the past 12 years I have worked in the tattoo industry and as a result of that I gathered quite a few tattoos along the way!

After getting married and having 2 children I felt the need for a bit of stability and consistency both in work hours and financially, so the thought of a defence force career popped up again and my long….long journey of tattoo removal began.

Amanda and the girls at LaserTat are amazing and have helped me and encouraged me the whole way through the process even on the days that I didn't want to deal with another session they made it as comfortable and friendly as possible and without that I may have not made it all this way.

I cannot recommend LaserTat enough to anyone wanting to remove a little old tattoo or to help completely change your life like they have in my instance.”

What was the most difficult part of the process?
Bringing myself to get laser so often especially when it seemed like there was no end in sight. It was hard making myself go to appointments some days more than others. I just tried to remind myself why I was doing it and every time I went to an appointment the team at LaserTat were always reassuring.

How did you have motivation to continue?
Thinking about my goal at the end of my laser journey and why it was worth it to me.

Do you have any advice for people wanting to commit to such a big change?
Remind yourself of the end game and why you committed to begin with. Take progress photos so you can remind yourself of how far you’ve come when it can seem like they haven’t faded at all. Numbing cream, and more numbing cream!

Thanks so much to Curt for allowing us to share his story. We wish you all the success in your next chapter of your life with the Australian Defence Force and thank you for trusting us to help remove your tattoos!!!!

Amanda and the LaserTat team

If you or anyone you know wants to know more about the laser process, Curt’s story or simply to book in your next treatment, please feel free to get in touch via our contact or booking page.

What is the most effective laser for tattoo removal?

It’s important to know that different ink colours require different laser wavelengths to target and shatter the ink particles. This is the basic principle behind effective laser tattoo removal. A milti-coloured tattoo requires multiple wavelengths to target each colour.

Finding out which wavelength is right for your specific tattoo is a very important factor to consider when researching a tattoo removal clinic. The capabilities of each wavelength are different, and it's important your laser clinic has the tools to treat your tattoo in the most effective way. 

Now, before we lose you amongst all the scientific stuff, let’s break these wavelengths down:

Black ink can be treated with either 1064nm & 755nm

Red, orange, yellow & pink ink require 532nm

Green, blue, purple ink require 755nm

*The number sequence indicates where this wavelength sits on the light spectrum

*nm stands for Nanometers, a unit of measurement  

The quality of a laser machine plays a huge part in its effectiveness and safety of a laser treatment. A great quality machine will reduce the risk of scarring and damage caused to the skin whilst optimizing results. Our choice of laser technology for the past decade is hands down Cynosure. Cynosure is one of the world’s most trusted manufactures of medical grade lasers.

Our super artillery consists of the following lasers:

• Cynosure MedliteC6, a Q-Switch laser we predominantly use to target heavy and deep black ink using the 1064nm wavelength and red, orange, yellow and pink ink by using its 532nm wavelength.

• For green, blue and purple ink we bust out our Cynosure PicoSure laser using the 755nm wavelength. This wavelength is also proving effective on removing stubborn black ink as it has the ability to shatter ink particles even smaller making them easier for our body’s immune system to remove.  

LaserTat is the ONLY clinic in South Australia who offer both laser machines which allows us to treat every single colour at maximum effectiveness.

So in summary – the best laser for treating your tattoo all comes down to what colours of ink you have and the quality of laser machine. The best lasers are always FDA approved and come from quality manufactures with proven results.

You can check out our laser results by clicking here.

Committing to a laser tattoo removal journey can be a long one and often expensive. We’ll leave you with this last piece of advice:
Research, research, research!!

How to prepare for your laser treatment

We all know getting laser isn’t the easiest, most comfortable experience.

Fortunately, over the past 9 years of doing what we love, we’ve had plenty of experience preparing you for your treatment, so here goes:
 

• Please eat!
  It doesn’t have to be a full meal, just a snack before your appointment. When you have an empty stomach & endure laser treatments you tend to get light-headed.

  If this tip slips your mind we have lollies, snacks & soft drinks available for you to treat yourself with.

• Drink plenty of fluids
  We have water on hand if you feel you haven’t had enough. Staying hydrated keeps your skin healthy. It also helps those ink particles hitch a ride out of your body!

• Get those 8 hours
  Sleep is so important for our bodies. The night before your laser treatment is no exception. Sleep helps the body repair, regenerate and recover. So rest up before and after your treatment.
  
  

• Sickness vs laser
  It’s best to receive your laser treatment when your body is strong & healthy.
  If you’re fighting off or showing any signs of infection such as a cold, flu, gastro, cold sore or injury it’s best to rest and wait until you are back to good health.
  Your immune system can then focus all of its energy on expelling ink particles rather than fighting other conditions.

• Avoid direct sunlight

  This applies before and after your treatment.
  Our laser technicians won’t be able to treat your tattoo if you’re sunburnt.

  You will also need to keep your tattoo out of the direct sunlight for a minimum of 2 weeks after your laser treatment. Planning your treatments around outdoor outings is super important. 
  
  

• LADIES, this one is for you!
  Timing is everything… yes, we are talking about ‘that time of the month’.
  During your menstrual cycle you may be more sensitive than usual, therefore making your treatments more intense.
  We are more than happy to reschedule to a time more suitable for you.
  
  

• Wear loose fitted clothing
  There is nothing worse than having your clothes rub on your tattoo after your treatment. This can irritate the area and create friction. Ditch the active wear for your favourite comfy clothes.

• Numb if you need to!
  Look, there are some areas that are more painful than others.
  Personally we love ‘Numit’ numbing cream. You can purchase it over the counter at a chemist or pharmacy. Numbing cream needs to be applied 2 hours prior to your appointment, wrapped in glad wrap and taped down so it’s airtight. Come in with it on and we’ll clean it up before we start. Excess body hair will need to be shaved prior to applying numbing cream.
  
  

• Changes to your health
  Please remember to let us know if you have commenced any new medication or have any new medical conditions. This is so important for us to know as it will affect how we approach your treatment.
  
  

• Ask questions
  Ask as many questions as you need to! Laser tattoo removal is a long term commitment. Helping you feel comfortable with your decision to start laser is important to us. If you have any questions or concerns you can contact us via Facebook, Instagram, email, call or SMS 0421 132 734. We are always happy to help!