If you’re contemplating getting a tattoo, here’s a piece of advice from someone who learned the hard way: bring a trusted friend. Unlike me, don’t venture alone and find yourself uttering, ‘I’m not really feeling this tattoo’ as the stencil is applied, only to proceed anyway because, well, you’re already there. A good friend will offer that crucial voice of reason, steering you away from potential tattoo regrets. Regrettably, this wisdom eluded me when I impulsively booked an appointment for a Pink Floyd tattoo on my upper arm. And before any Pink Floyd fans come for me, I still appreciate dad rock; I just don’t necessarily want it permanently displayed throughout summer.
This is the backstory of how I found myself researching laser Removed Tattoo options in 2018, desperately seeking to erase the stark black lines of two robot arms shaking hands (yes, there’s a Pinterest page dedicated to this… “for men”) from my once pristine skin. Now, for my second piece of advice: do thorough research before starting the removal process. Or, if you’re in London, keep reading for my clinic recommendation. My initial experience at a Soho clinic proved ineffective. Despite my suspicions of being upsold unnecessary sessions, I later learned that the slow progress was likely due to the type of laser used. Most clinics utilize two types of lasers: the traditional Q-Switched, often requiring over ten treatments, or PicoSure’s picosecond laser, significantly faster and more effective in fewer sessions. For quicker results, prioritize clinics using picosecond lasers – inquire if the information isn’t readily available online.
In April 2020, after ten treatments at the first clinic, I switched to Pulse Light Clinic in Eastcheap, which uses PicoWay, PicoSure, and Q-Switched lasers. As my treatment nears completion, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned on this journey – essentially, your essential guide to laser removed tattoo procedures.
Writer undergoing laser tattoo removal treatment.
Understanding How Tattoo Removal Works
PicoWay and PicoSure lasers work by emitting ultra-short, high-energy pulses of light into the skin, specifically, pulses lasting a mere trillionth of a second. “The laser energy penetrates the tissue without harming the skin,” explains Barbara Taylor, senior consultant at Pulse Light Clinic. “It travels through the skin layers until it reaches the tattoo pigment, where the light is absorbed.” Taylor clarifies that the rapid light pulses break down the large ink particles trapped in the skin into much smaller fragments. “These smaller particles are then absorbed and eliminated by your body’s immune system – specifically, macrophages and white blood cells,” she continues. “These cells engulf and carry away the pigment particles, gradually fading the tattoo.”
Complete Tattoo Removal: Is It Possible?
The question everyone asks about laser removed tattoo treatments is whether complete removal is achievable, and unfortunately, the answer isn’t straightforward. While many tattoos can be virtually erased, some may leave behind stubborn traces that never fully disappear. “Tattoo ink typically consists of heavy metal compounds like lead, copper, and manganese, injected deep into the skin with a needle,” Taylor explains. “The body reacts to this invasion by sending white blood cells to surround the metal particles. Smaller ink particles are carried to the liver and processed, while larger particles are too big for white blood cells to remove. This means tattoos will fade over time naturally, but complete disappearance varies depending on the tattoo’s characteristics.”
After over three years of treatments (including a seven-month pandemic-induced pause), I’m optimistic that my tattoo will fade to near invisibility. It has responded well to the laser, with no scarring or pigmentation issues so far (though the tattoo is still slightly visible and raised). Even if faint remnants persist, I anticipate them being minimal and hardly noticeable. Once you embark on the journey of getting a removed tattoo, you’ll realize minor imperfections are a small price to pay compared to the original tattoo regret.
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The Timeline for Tattoo Removal
Let’s be honest, tattoo removal is a marathon, not a sprint. But don’t let the duration deter you. (Note: my experience is an outlier due to an initial clinic misstep and a global pandemic.) Taylor indicates that PicoSure clients typically require up to eight treatments, spaced eight weeks apart, totaling about a year and a half. However, the timeline can vary based on the desired outcome. For those seeking to lighten a tattoo for a cover-up, the process may be shorter.
My key takeaway regarding removal time is patience and spacing out appointments. Counterintuitively, longer intervals between sessions enhance removal effectiveness. While it extends the overall process, the tattoo continues to fade even between treatments, resulting in more significant lightening before each subsequent session. My tattoo showed the most fading during the seven-month pandemic break.
Pain Factor: Does Tattoo Removal Hurt?
Yes, unfortunately, tattoo removal involves discomfort, often described as “ouchy.” It’s not excruciatingly painful, but it feels precisely like a laser rapidly firing into your skin. And yes, it generally hurts more than getting the tattoo itself. However, depending on the tattoo size, each treatment can be remarkably quick, often under five minutes. Don’t let fear of pain prevent you from pursuing a removed tattoo – it’s genuinely manageable.
Expert perspective: “While lasers heat ink particles to thousands of degrees, they don’t burn the skin. They create shockwaves that vibrate through the skin, causing a temporary whitening effect called frosting,” explains Taylor. “This frosting process is uncomfortable, but it’s very brief, lasting only seconds. Short-term redness, rash, or minor bleeding can also occur post-treatment.”
After each session, practitioners apply soothing cream, often Bepanthen (commonly used for new tattoo aftercare), and bandage the area to maintain cleanliness and protect it from sunlight. Expect the treated area to feel like a burn – it will likely be raised, red, and sensitive. Keep the bandage on for 24 hours, then remove it and apply Bepanthen twice daily until discomfort, redness, and swelling subside. Pro tip: massage the tattoo between sessions to improve blood flow and lymphatic system stimulation, aiding the removal process.
Tattoo laser removal healing
Skin healing process after laser tattoo removal.
Cost of Tattoo Removal
Determining the exact cost of tattoo removal is challenging as clinics typically charge per session based on tattoo size. At Pulse Light Clinic, for instance, “very small” tattoos (1-3 cm) start at £40 per session, while “extra large” tattoos (over 21 cm) are priced at £88.40 per treatment. Detailed pricing can be found here. Prices are subject to change and individual case specifics. Roughly, expect to invest between £300 and £700 for a course of eight sessions, with the potential need for additional treatments.
Long-Term Risks Associated with Tattoo Removal
To date, I’ve experienced no adverse effects from my tattoo removal and am amazed by the results. The ink is almost entirely faded, with no scarring, and the aftercare has been straightforward. However, my tattoo was small and black, simplifying removal. Experiences can vary. “Certain colors are notoriously difficult to remove, potentially preventing complete tattoo eradication,” Taylor notes. “Yellow, green, and purple inks typically require more sessions than black, blue, and red. Temporary darkening or lightening of the treated skin is possible. Permanent scarring is uncommon, occurring in about three percent of cases.” Despite these considerations, “tattoo removal can be transformative for those with tattoo regret.”
Discover more about laser tattoo removal at Pulse Light Clinic here.
