Energy and light / TREATMENT GUIDE
Laser tattoo removal
Very short laser pulses shatter tattoo ink into fragments the immune system can clear, fading the tattoo over a series of sessions.
- Appointment
- 10 to 30 minutes
- Typical social recovery
- About a week
- When results may appear
- Fading over 6 to 8 weeks per session
- How long they may last
- Permanent for cleared ink
- Typical course
- 6 to 12, spaced 6 to 8 weeks
- Relative cost
- $$ · Higher relative cost
Ranges vary by person, product, area and technique. Cost symbols are editorial comparisons—not quotes. Ask for the full course and follow-up cost.
How it works
Different wavelengths target different ink colours. Black clears most easily; greens and blues are harder. Picosecond lasers usually need fewer sessions than older Q-switched lasers.
Four illustrative steps. Select a step to highlight it; the optional anatomy view explains the same mechanism.
Recovery, in practical terms
Blistering, crusting and swelling for up to a week.
What it can feel like: Moderate. Numbing cream or cold air.
What people discuss
Older, black, professional tattoos on lighter skin clear fastest.
Reasons to pause
A tan, keloid tendency, some cosmetic inks that can darken.
This list is not exhaustive. A clinician must assess your health, medications, skin and goals.
Risks worth understanding
- Blistering
- Pigment or texture change
- Darkening of cosmetic tattoos
Ask your clinician
- How many sessions for these colours?
- Do you test-spot first?
Sources, approval context & editorial limits
Authorization is specific to the device and intended use.
Sources support regulatory and safety context; not every efficacy claim or range has been independently verified.
Educational information, not medical advice or a personal recommendation. Independent clinical review is pending. A qualified clinician must assess individual suitability. Timings, relative costs and visuals are illustrative, not guarantees.
Read the editorial policyCompare different approaches
Related catalogue tags, not recommendations.