Laser Tattoo Removal in Sharjah

What is laser tattoo removal?

Laser tattoo removal is a treatment that breaks up the ink held deep in the skin so that the body can remove it. Tattoo ink sits in the dermis, the layer beneath the surface, in particles too large for the body to carry away, which is why a tattoo stays in place for years. The laser delivers extremely short pulses of light that the ink absorbs; the ink heats in a fraction of a second and fragments, while the surrounding skin absorbs far less of the energy.

The fading happens after the session. White blood cells gradually collect the smaller ink fragments and carry them away through the lymphatic system, a process that continues for weeks. This is the reason sessions are spaced several weeks apart: each session breaks up more ink, and the interval gives the body time to clear it and the skin time to recover.

At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, laser tattoo removal is performed in-house by the aesthetic department using a Deka laser, with the settings chosen for your skin and the ink in your tattoo.

Who needs it

People choose laser tattoo removal for many reasons:

• a tattoo that has stopped reflecting their life, faith or relationships
• a tattoo in a visible place that affects work, including roles with dress or appearance standards
• cosmetic tattooing, such as eyebrow or lip liner, that has faded to an unwanted colour
• a poorly done or blurred tattoo that is being lightened before a new design is placed over it
• a traumatic tattoo, where dirt or grit was left in the skin by an injury

A consultation comes first. The practitioner looks at the size, colours, age and depth of the ink, checks your skin type and medical history, and gives you a realistic plan for the number of sessions. Black and dark blue ink absorb laser light most readily. Older and amateur tattoos often contain less ink and tend to fade in fewer sessions than dense professional work.

What happens

Before each session, the area is cleaned and, if you wish, a numbing cream is applied. You and the practitioner both wear protective eyewear, because laser light can harm the eyes. A cooling device or cold air may be used on the skin during treatment for comfort.

The practitioner passes the laser handpiece over the tattoo in a systematic pattern. Each pulse feels like the snap of a rubber band against the skin, with a clicking sound. As the laser hits the ink, the treated area turns white for a few minutes, a reaction called frosting that comes from gas released as the ink heats. Pinpoint bleeding and swelling can follow.

When the tattoo has been covered, a soothing ointment and a sterile dressing are applied. Small tattoos take only a few minutes to treat, and you go home straight afterwards.

Preparing for it

Keep the tattoo out of the sun in the weeks before treatment, and avoid fake tan on the area, since tanned skin absorbs more laser energy. Shave the area the day before if there is hair over the tattoo. Wear loose clothing that can be moved away from the tattoo and will sit comfortably over a dressing.

Tell the team about any medicines that increase light sensitivity, a history of cold sores if the tattoo is near the mouth, keloid scarring, and any recent isotretinoin tablets for acne. Bring photographs of the tattoo from when it was new if you have them; knowing the original colours helps plan the settings.

Afterwards

Redness, swelling and tenderness are normal after laser tattoo removal, and small blisters or scabs often form over the next days. Keep the area clean and covered, apply the ointment you are given, and let blisters and scabs fall away on their own. Wear loose clothing over the area, and keep the dressing clean and dry in the Sharjah heat.

Avoid swimming pools, the sea, saunas and soaking the area in a bath until the skin has healed. Protect the treated skin from the sun with clothing and, once it has healed, a high-protection sunscreen. The ink continues to fade between sessions, and the team books your next session after the skin has fully recovered.

Contact the hospital if the area becomes increasingly painful, hot or swollen, if you notice pus, spreading redness or a fever, or if large blisters form. **Go to the emergency department if you develop a widespread rash, swelling of the face or lips, or difficulty breathing after treatment.**

Cost and insurance

Laser tattoo removal is usually self-pay, as UAE insurance plans generally exclude cosmetic procedures, including tattoo removal for personal reasons. The overall cost depends on the tattoo's size and the number of sessions needed. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can explain the costs after your consultation on 06 599 7777.