Lasers remove tattoos by penetrating the skin and breaking up the ink into tiny particles. After several treatments (with regular intervals between sessions), the body breaks down and removes the pigment in the tattoo, causing it to fade.

A course of 6-10 treatments is often enough to remove the tattoo, depending on the colour and depth of the tattoo ink.

Laser tattoo removal may not be suitable for you if you have a dark skin tone; this is due to the potential of the treatment leaving a ‘ghosting’ effect, where the skin is lighter than the surrounding area. Our practitioners can assess your tattoo and determine which solution is most appropriate in a free consultation. In some cases, the most appropriate form of removal for a tattoo could be excision. This involves having the tattoo surgically removed using a scalpel. Although more invasive, it can sometimes be the most effective solution and may also be quicker.

A tattoo can be faded adequately to re-cover after a couple of sessions. Your practitioner will be able to advise how many sessions you are likely to need during your consultation.

The ink particles of the tattoo will have been injected deep into the dermis (the second layer of skin). In order to reverse this process effectively, the pigment within the skin needs to be broken down using targeted lasers. Don’t be fooled into believing that if you have a change of heart shortly after getting your tattoo it can be easily removed.

Yes, it’s very safe. The laser energy is selectively absorbed by the tattoo ink only, meaning that surrounding tissues are not affected and there is no lasting damage to the skin.

Other tattoo removal methods do not involve lasers. We do not recommend the following methods of tattoo removal because they can cause scarring and have a high risk of infection. Tattoo removal creams – these work by dissolving the tattoo using chemicals such as hydroquinone, kojic acid, alpha arbutin and TCA. They cannot completely remove a tattoo, but may reduce its appearance in some cases. Dermabrasion tattoo removal – this involves using an abrasive device to blast the surface of the skin in order to break down the tattoo and remove the top layers of skin. A local anaesthetic is usually administered as this is a painful method of removal. Salabrasion – this works in a similar way to dermabrasion but involves applying water and salt in addition to an abrasive device in order to lift and remove layers of skin. Acid tattoo removal – some people are now using acids, similar to those used in chemical skin peels, to burn away layers of the skin in order to get rid of their tattoos. Many health professionals strongly advise against this method.