Medically Reviewed June 2023, by Charlotte Tundy, Regional Nurse Trainer, for sk:n. Next review due June 2024.

Tattoos – they can be beautiful but they can also become a burden. Sometimes, when people opt to go under the needle, they lose sight of the permanent nature of the body art and get caught up in the moment.

Tattoos are applied by using a special needle, which injects ink into the lower layers of the skin (the dermis). Once the skin has healed, this seals the design into the skin.

Unfortunately, there is a range of reasons why our tattoos might become problematic. They can distort or go patchy, often as the work of under-qualified artists. As we gain weight, they can also change shape. Or perhaps the design simply becomes something we dislike as we grow older and wiser.

How to remove a tattoo

Laser tattoo removal uses the latest in skin technology to rid you of your unwanted body art. The machine uses pulses of concentrated light to penetrate the epidermis and target the ink below the surface. This breaks up the ink, dispersing it into small particles. Then it’s time for your body to kick into action, as it gets rid of the ink via the immune system.

If you want to get rid of your tattoo as soon as possible, then Pico tattoo removal can demonstrate results in half the treatment time of other lasers. This laser treatment is perfect if you need your ink gone ahead of a special occasion, and sk:n are one of the few clinic groups in the UK to have picosecond tattoo removal machines.

While the word ‘laser’ might sound a little daunting and extreme, the technology used is extremely safe and sophisticated. It does not affect the surrounding healthy tissue in the long term. As with any non-invasive beauty procedure, there are some immediate side effects, but these are minimal.

Will I get lasting redness after laser tattoo removal?

You will experience some swelling, blisters and redness after tattoo removal, but this is temporary and will only appear in the treatment area. The skin can be sensitive and red for between 48 hours and two weeks, but this shouldn’t stop your normal daily routine.

Your practitioner will recommend some sensitive skin care products to help promote healing and manage tattoo removal redness, including using a high-factor sunscreen if the tattoo is exposed to light. It may take a number of sessions, but you can wave goodbye to that loathed etching.

Learn how to protect your skin post-treatment with this laser tattoo removal aftercare guide.