FAQs

What are some indications for Q-Switch? 

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Tattoos, pigmented lesions including age spots, freckles, sunspots, and some birthmarks.

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What types of pigments or lesions can be treated?

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Q-Switched Nd:Yag laser may be used to treat pigmented lesions including age spots, melasma, freckles, and sunspots.  

 

What can I expect?

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The pigment removal itself may not be uncomfortable, but discomfort is a normal response during treatment and recovery. The targeted areas will feel tender and sensitive to touch due to swelling and blistering thereafter. Once these effects subside over the next few days, so does the pain. Immediately after treatment, you will notice frosting on the area where the laser came in contact with the pigment. It is caused by the rapid local heating of skin pigment releasing carbon dioxide on the surface of the skin which resembles white frosting. This signals the first stage of healing and it lasts for only a few minutes. More frosting occurs with dark ink compared to lighter ink. This is accompanied by swelling around the treated area. Redness, tenderness and swelling usually subside a day or two after treatment. Blisters start forming within 24 hours after treatment and they may appear alarming, but these indicate that your body is healing as it should. Avoid picking on your blisters because they will drain on their own and dry into scabs. The crust will eventually fall off within 10-14 days after treatment, provided that the area doesn’t get irritated. One may even return to your usual activities shortly after treatment. The area will be bandaged to keep it dry for a few days following the treatment.

 

How does it feel?

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Common descriptions include the sensation of a rubber band snapping against the skin or bacon grease – basically it’s uncomfortable, but bearable.

 

How do I prepare for treatment?

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Avoid sun exposure/tanning beds for 2 weeks pre and post treatment. Avoid pain medicine, such as Aleve, Aspirin for 3-7 days. Topical numbing cream or local anesthetic may be used and cold compress may be applied prior to treatment.

 

How many treatments will I need?

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Recommended 6-10 treatments.

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What should I apply or avoid after a laser pigment removal treatment?

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Keep out of the sun, out of pools/lakes/bath water until healed. Apply recovery balm and keep it covered for 5-6 days while healing. Apply ice for 10 mins post-treatment. 

• Use sunscreen to protect the treated skin, which is particularly sensitive to sunlight following treatment.

• Don’t apply makeup or any potentially irritating product on treated skin while it heals.

• Avoid shaving treated areas unless the skin is healed.

• Don’t soak in baths, hot tubs or pools unless the skin has healed completely.

 

Can laser tattoo removal cause any side effects?

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There are a handful of symptoms you might see post-treatment such as blisters, swelling, pinpoint bleeding, redness, temporary darkening, hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, and bruising. These are common and usually subside within a couple weeks. As always, consult your provider with concerns.