Tattoo removal laser FAQ for Australian clinics

This tattoo removal laser FAQ answers the questions Australian clinics, cosmetic tattoo artists and beauty studios ask most before buying a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. It covers choosing a laser, the Lumova Lunar models, delivery, payment, warranty, training, licensing and the three core treatments: tattoo removal, cosmetic tattoo removal and carbon peel. Each answer is short and links to a deeper guide where one exists.

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Tattoo removal laser FAQ: choosing a laser

What is a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser?

A Q-switched Nd:YAG laser fires very short, high-energy pulses, measured in nanoseconds, from a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) crystal rod. Each pulse breaks ink into finer particles into finer particles that the body clears gradually between sessions. The 1064 nm wavelength is used for dark inks and deeper pigment, and 532 nm, made by frequency-doubling the 1064 nm beam, for red and warm tones. Our Nd:YAG wavelengths guide explains each one in detail.

What should I look for in a tattoo removal laser?

Start with the specifications: wavelengths, output energy, pulse width, repetition rate, cooling and lamp life. Then look at what happens after the sale, including warranty, training, servicing, spare parts and local support. A complete spec sheet tells you more than a headline power figure. Our tattoo removal laser buyer’s guide covers each point for Australian clinics and studios.

Is a Q-switched laser or a picosecond laser better for tattoo removal?

It depends on your clients, treatment mix and budget. Some published studies report fewer sessions with picosecond lasers for certain tattoos and colours, but the evidence is mixed. Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers remain widely used, generally cost less to buy, and suit many cosmetic tattoo and dark-ink cases. We weigh the evidence in Q-switched vs picosecond lasers.

How much does a tattoo removal laser cost in Australia?

Prices vary widely. Buyers typically see low-cost imported machines at one end of the market and premium medical systems costing many times more at the other. Compare the total cost of ownership rather than the sticker price: warranty, training, consumables, servicing, lamp replacement and support all add up over the life of the machine.

What should I check before buying a laser from an overseas marketplace?

Check what you get after delivery. Ask who honours the warranty in Australia, who services the machine and supplies parts, whether training is included, whether the specifications are documented, and whether the laser and your premises can meet your state’s requirements. If any answer is unclear, factor that risk into the price.

Lumova Lunar models

How much does a Lumova laser cost?

Lumova prices are on request. We quote each Lunar model individually so we can confirm stock, inclusions and delivery timing in writing. Request a call for a quote on Lunar L1, Lunar L2 or Lunar Pro, and ask about payment plans and equipment finance through third-party providers.

What is the difference between Lunar L1, Lunar L2 and Lunar Pro?

Lunar L1 is a compact 500 W laser with 100–2000 mJ output and an F5 rod. Lunar L2 is compact with 600 W, pre-ignition, 300–3000 mJ and an F6 rod. Lunar Pro is a stationary 600 W system with the same output range and a cryo cooling hammer for high-volume clinics. See every specification on the Lunar comparison page.

Which Lunar model is best for a first laser?

Lunar L1 is our recommended first laser. It is compact, weighs 12 kg and has a simple touchscreen interface. It suits cosmetic tattoo lightening, small tattoos and carbon peel. If you expect deeper, older pigment or a busier appointment book, look at Lunar L2 or Lunar Pro instead.

Which wavelengths do the Lunar lasers offer?

All three Lunar models offer 1064 nm, 532 nm and 1320 nm. In practice, 1064 nm is used for dark inks and deeper pigment, 532 nm for red and warm tones, and Lumova specifies 1320 nm for carbon peel. Every model has a 1–10 ns pulse width and a 1–10 Hz repetition rate, and spot size is adjusted with handpiece distance (1–10 mm on Lunar L2 and Lunar Pro).

How big and heavy are the Lunar lasers?

Lunar L1 weighs 12 kg and measures 36 × 50 × 40 cm. Lunar L2 weighs 15 kg and measures 35 × 55 × 44 cm. Both are compact enough for a small treatment room. Lunar Pro is a stationary unit of 55 kg, measuring 36 × 45 × 120 cm, and suits a dedicated laser room.

How long can a Lunar laser run continuously?

Each Lunar model is rated for up to 2 hours of continuous operation. The laser is cooled by a water circuit with a forced-air radiator. Lunar Pro adds a water-cooled cryo cooling hammer with a thermoelectric chiller, used to chill the skin before, during and after treatment.

What comes in the box?

Every Lunar laser ships with the laser unit and handpiece, a foot pedal, operator and client safety glasses, a handpiece tip set, carbon peel gel, a water-filling funnel, a power cable, a transport case and documentation. Lunar Pro also includes the cryo cooling hammer, and Lunar L1 includes a key.

Delivery and payment

Do you deliver Australia-wide, and how long does it take?

Yes. We deliver Australia-wide by tracked, insured courier, and each laser ships in a protective transport case. Delivery time depends on your location and current stock, so we confirm dispatch timing in writing when you order. Contact us with your postcode for an estimate.

Can I pay with a payment plan or equipment finance?

Yes. Payment plans and equipment finance are available through third-party providers, subject to their own approval and terms. We also accept bank transfer and debit or credit cards. Ask about finance when you request a quote, and speak with your accountant about how equipment finance suits your business.

What should I do when my laser arrives?

Inspect the transport case and the equipment as soon as it arrives. If you notice any transit damage, tell us as soon as possible, ideally within 48 hours, so we can lodge a claim with the courier. Then follow the setup lessons in the online course before your first power-on.

Warranty and service

What warranty comes with the Lunar lasers?

Every Lumova laser comes with a 12-month warranty against manufacturing defects. Our warranty is in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law, which cannot be excluded. To discuss a warranty claim, contact us with your model and a description of the issue.

How long does the lamp last, and what does servicing involve?

The lamp in every Lunar model has a listed life of 1 million shots, and Lunar L2 and Lunar Pro list a laser rod life of 1 million shots. Day-to-day care, such as filling the tank and changing the water, is covered in the training course. Servicing, consumables and replacement parts are available from us.

What routine maintenance does a tattoo removal laser need?

Keep the water circuit filled and change the water as the documentation directs. Keep handpiece tips and optics clean, check cables and the foot pedal, store safety glasses carefully, and keep a log of shots and service. Simple, regular maintenance helps protect performance and lamp life. Contact us if anything changes in how the laser performs.

Can I get spare parts and consumables?

Yes. Servicing, consumables and replacement parts are available for every Lunar model, and our team provides ongoing support after delivery. If you need a replacement lamp, handpiece tips or carbon peel gel, contact us with your model so we can confirm what you need and the timing.

Training and support

Is training included?

Yes. The full online training course is included with every Lunar laser. It covers laser fundamentals, contraindications, how laser light interacts with skin, eye protection and operator safety, setup, practice on latex, and brow, lip and eyeliner techniques, with demonstrations including carbon peel. In-person practical training is available on request.

Is in-person tattoo removal laser training available in Australia?

In-person practical training is available on request. Contact us to discuss timing and format. Our training teaches you to use your Lunar laser; it does not replace any licence, accredited course or supervision arrangement that your state or territory requires. Check those requirements before you treat clients.

Do I need laser experience before buying?

No prior laser experience is needed to buy, and the online course starts from first principles. Lunar L1 suits specialists who are starting out. Before you treat clients, complete your training, practise thoroughly and make sure you meet your state or territory’s requirements, which our laser licensing guide summarises.

What support do I get after delivery?

Our team provides ongoing support after delivery, covering setup questions, treatment settings, maintenance, servicing and replacement parts. Work through the online course before your first client and note any questions, so we can go through them with you. The quickest way to reach us is the enquiry form on our contact section.

Licensing and safety

Do I need a licence to operate a Q-switched laser in my state?

It depends on where you work. At our last review, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania required a licence (in WA, a licence or exemption) to use a laser for tattoo removal. The other states and territories did not license cosmetic laser use under radiation law, though general work health and safety duties still apply. Rules change, so confirm with your regulator. Our laser licensing guide for Australia summarises each state and links to the regulators.

Who regulates cosmetic lasers in Australia?

There is no single national licence. Each state and territory sets its own rules, and where cosmetic lasers are licensed, the state radiation health regulator administers them. ARPANSA publishes national advice for cosmetic laser providers, and the TGA regulates therapeutic goods. Confirm which rules apply with your regulator.

What eye protection is needed?

Everyone in the treatment room needs eyewear rated for the wavelength in use; check that the optical density (OD) marking covers both 1064 nm and 532 nm. The room should be controlled so no one enters during treatment. Every Lunar laser includes operator and client safety glasses, and the online course covers eye protection and operator safety. Treatments near the eye need extra care and training.

Who should not be treated with a Q-switched laser?

Screen every client before treatment. Common reasons to postpone or decline include pregnancy, active skin infection or inflammation in the area, recent tanning, photosensitising medication, recent isotretinoin use and a history of poor healing or keloid scarring. The online course covers contraindications. When in doubt, ask the client to consult a medical practitioner first.

Treatments: tattoo, cosmetic tattoo and carbon peel

Can one machine do tattoo removal, cosmetic tattoo removal and carbon peel?

Yes. Every Lunar model is built for all three, with 1064 nm, 532 nm and 1320 nm wavelengths. Model choice comes down to pigment depth and client volume: Lunar L1 for lightening and small tattoos, Lunar L2 for fresh to deep, older pigment, and Lunar Pro for all three cosmetic tattoo zones in a high-volume clinic.

How many sessions does laser tattoo removal take?

Results vary, and several sessions are usually needed. Professional tattoos commonly need 5 to 10 or more sessions spaced at least six weeks apart, while cosmetic tattoo lightening often needs fewer. Ink colour, depth and age, skin type, location on the body and the client’s health all affect progress. Set realistic expectations at consultation. Our tattoo removal laser guide covers treatment planning.

Can a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser remove brow, lip and eyeliner cosmetic tattoo?

Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers are widely used to lighten and remove cosmetic tattoo on brows, lips and the eyeliner area. Cosmetic pigments often respond differently from body ink: pigments containing iron oxide or titanium dioxide, common in warm, nude and white shades, can darken after a pulse (paradoxical darkening), so test a small area first. See cosmetic tattoo removal lasers.

Can these lasers treat coloured tattoos?

Partly. 1064 nm suits black and dark blue inks, and 532 nm suits red, orange and other warm tones. Greens and light blues respond best to ruby or alexandrite wavelengths, which Nd:YAG lasers do not produce, and yellows and white inks respond poorly. Some colours may need many sessions or may not fully clear. Results vary, so assess each tattoo and set expectations at consultation.

What is a carbon peel laser treatment?

A carbon peel applies a thin layer of carbon lotion to the skin, then passes Q-switched Nd:YAG pulses over it to heat and lift the carbon. It is used to refine the look of the skin and even its tone. Every Lunar laser includes carbon peel gel. Read more in our carbon peel laser guide.