Laser tattoo removal: sessions, spacing and what to expect

Tattoos that once felt right can stop fitting your life. Maybe it is a name, a design you have outgrown, or cosmetic brow tattoo that has faded to an unexpected colour. Whatever the reason, laser tattoo removal is a gradual process, and knowing what to expect makes it far easier.

Here is how it works, how long it takes and how to care for your skin along the way.

How laser tattoo removal works

Tattoo ink sits in the deeper layer of skin as particles too large for the body to clear. A tattoo removal laser delivers very short, powerful pulses of light. The ink absorbs the light and breaks into smaller fragments. Over the following weeks, the body’s natural processes gradually clear those fragments away, and the tattoo fades.

Because the body does the clearing, fading happens slowly between sessions, not all at once.

How many sessions will I need?

Most tattoos need several sessions, often six to twelve or more. It is hard to predict exactly, but these factors make a big difference:

• Ink colour. Black and dark blue usually fade best. Some colours, such as green, light blue and yellow, can be slower and may not fully clear.
• Ink amount and depth. Professional tattoos usually hold more ink, packed more deeply, than amateur ones.
• Age. Older tattoos have often faded naturally and may respond faster.
• Location. Areas with good circulation, closer to the heart, often clear faster than hands, ankles and feet.
• Skin type. Olive and deeper skin needs more cautious settings to protect against pigment changes, which can mean more sessions.
• Previous cover-ups or layers. A tattoo over another tattoo has more ink to clear.
• General health. Smoking can slow fading.

Results vary from person to person. Complete removal is not always possible. Some tattoos fade enough for a cover-up, and some leave a faint shadow.

Why spacing matters

Sessions are spaced at least six to eight weeks apart, and sometimes longer. That gap is not just for the skin to settle. It gives your body time to clear the ink broken up in the last session. Coming back sooner does not speed things up and can increase the risk of skin damage.

A realistic timeline for a tattoo needing eight sessions is often a year or more.

What happens at your consultation

Before treatment we look at your tattoo, your skin and your health. We ask about:

• when and where the tattoo was done, and whether it was professional or amateur
• the colours used
• any previous removal attempts
• your sun habits and recent tanning
• medicines, skin conditions and keloid or raised scarring in the past

Every client has a patch test before a first treatment. We treat a small part of the tattoo and check how your skin responds before the full session.

Cosmetic tattoo and pigment removal

Cosmetic tattoo on brows, lips or eyeliner can be harder than body tattoos. Some cosmetic pigments contain ingredients that can turn darker, grey or orange when hit by laser, instead of fading. That is why we assess cosmetic tattoo especially carefully and always patch test first. We may advise against laser for some cosmetic work. Treatment close to the eye needs particular caution.

What a session feels like

Most people describe it as a sharp snapping feeling, like a rubber band, with heat. Sessions are short, often just a few minutes for a small tattoo. Cooling is used before, during and after.

Straight afterwards, the tattoo often turns white for a few minutes, then becomes red and raised. Over the next few days you may notice swelling, pinpoint bleeding, blistering or light crusting. This is a normal part of the process.

Aftercare

For the first few days:

• Keep the area clean and dry, and cover it with a light dressing if advised.
• Do not pick or pop blisters, and let crusts fall off naturally.
• Avoid swimming, saunas and hot baths until the skin has settled.
• Avoid tight clothing over the area.

For the weeks after:

• Protect the area from sun with clothing and SPF 50+. Sun exposure raises the risk of pigment changes.
• Keep skin moisturised with a plain, gentle cream.
• Contact us if you notice signs of infection, such as increasing pain, heat, swelling or pus.

Costs per session

At Velour, laser tattoo removal is priced by size, per session:

• Small tattoo, up to about 4 x 4cm: $200
• Medium tattoo, about the size of a business card: $250
• Large tattoo: $350

Because the number of sessions varies, we will give you an honest estimate at your consultation.

Who should wait

We may suggest waiting if you:

• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have a tan or recent sunburn on the area
• have an active skin infection or rash on the tattoo
• have had keloid scars before, until we discuss the risks

When to see your GP

If a tattoo has a raised, itchy or changing area, or a mole sits within it, see your GP before any removal. Tell your GP too if you have a history of poor healing or are taking medicines that affect your skin.

Start with a consultation

Tattoo removal takes patience, but a clear plan makes it manageable. Read more about laser treatments and risks and recovery, or book a small tattoo session to begin with a consultation and patch test. Results vary from person to person.