Lasers & Light
Laser Tattoo Removal: what it is, what to expect and where to find it
What is Laser Tattoo Removal?
Laser tattoo removal uses very short pulses of laser light to break tattoo ink into smaller particles that the body can clear. Picosecond lasers such as PicoSure and PicoWay and Q-switched lasers are the main device types used.
How Laser Tattoo Removal works
Ink particles absorb the laser energy and shatter into fragments. Over the following weeks the immune system carries away some of those fragments, so the tattoo fades gradually. Different ink colours absorb different wavelengths, which is why multi-coloured tattoos can be harder to remove. Sessions are spaced several weeks apart to let the skin heal and the body clear ink.
What to expect at the appointment
- A consultation that looks at the tattoo's size, colours, age and your skin type.
- Eye protection, sometimes numbing cream, and a cooling device.
- Rapid laser pulses that feel like snaps against the skin.
- A dressing and wound-care instructions afterwards.
Recovery and downtime
Whitening of the treated area, redness, swelling and sometimes blistering are common in the days after. Skin usually heals within a week or two before the next session.
Safety and suitability
- Full removal usually takes many sessions, and some inks may only fade rather than clear.
- Pigment changes and, less commonly, scarring can occur, especially in darker skin or with aggressive settings.
- Cosmetic tattoos containing certain pigments can darken with laser treatment.
- Avoid sun exposure on the area between sessions.
Questions to ask before you book
- Which laser do you use, and does it suit my ink colours?
- How many sessions do you estimate for my tattoo?
- How do you price treatment, by size or by session?
- What aftercare should I follow between sessions?
Laser Tattoo Removal FAQ
How many sessions does tattoo removal take?
It varies widely with ink colour, depth, the tattoo's age, its location and your immune response. Many tattoos need a long series of sessions spaced weeks apart.
Can all tattoo colours be removed?
Black and dark blue inks tend to respond most readily. Some colours, such as green, light blue, white and yellow, can be harder to remove and may only fade.
Does tattoo removal leave a scar?
Most people heal without scarring when treatment is done carefully, but scarring and lighter or darker skin patches are possible. Following aftercare advice helps lower the risk.
This is general information, not medical advice, and results differ from person to person. This treatment should be prescribed or performed by, or under the supervision of, a licensed medical provider. Talk to a licensed provider about your health history before booking.
Written and fact-checked against our editorial rules (no prices, statistics or promised results) by the MedSpa Listings editorial team. Last reviewed 2026-11-03.
Where to find Laser Tattoo Removal
City pages for Laser Tattoo Removal appear once at least three listed clinics in a city name it on their own website. Browse med spas by state.
16 listed clinics name Laser Tattoo Removal on their own website (MedSpa Listings service scan).