One of the concerns of my clients getting their tattoos removed is the time required to finish the process.

Laser Tattoo Removal is a process that requires a time gap of six to eight weeks between each session. This entire procedure, including the skin’s healing process, requires time.

It depends on your skin and the type and size of the tattoo you have. Black is the easiest to remove whilst certain colours can be more stubborn. The depth of the ink can also have a bearing on how many sessions you will need.

Older tattoos get removed easier since their ink is naturally broken down to some extent. A lighter skin tone also responds better to the Laser than the darker ones.

Removal can be as little as 2 sessions up to as many as 12 sessions for stubborn colours.

The cost depends on the size of tattoo to be removed. Below is a price guide to the cost.

Up to 2cm: £40 per session.

2cm - 5cm: £55 per session.

5cm - 8cm: £75 per session.

8cm - 12cm: £110 per session.

12cm + from £135 per session.

SMP Removal £250 per session.

There is a mixed opinion from my clients on this topic.

Clients with high tolerance have reported a feeling of less discomfort compared to the time when the tattoo was applied to their skin.

On the other hand, people with sensitive skin have described the process as uncomfortable, similar to when the tattoo was applied.

Where the tattoo is on the body also has a bearing on the discomfort.

Client's often express the removal sensation as equivalent to the discomfort felt when a stretched elastic band strikes their skin. Others feel this discomfort to be like a sunburn.

Numbing cream can mitigate the discomfort by as much as 80%. It needs to be applied liberally, covered in cling film, and left on the skin for at least 90 minutes before the removal session is started.

At Evolution Advanced Laser Studio we also use a Cryo Cooler machine which blows cold air ( -35 celsius ) on to the area we are working on this helps keeps the skin cool and helps to mitigate discomfort.

Whilst minimal cases of getting scars have been observed, it is rare.

Scars, if visible, are typically caused when the tattoo was originally done. The laser breaks down the ink pigment, and if there is any scar present, then the pigment gets broken down into that tissue.

In rare cases, the scars are caused by the client not following the after care correctly. It is vital for people who have undergone the laser tattoo removal process to follow the aftercare instructions provided by us.

Some common side effects are swelling, blisters, redness, scabs, skin darkening (Hyperpigmentation), skin lightening (Hypopigmentation), etc.

Swellings and redness usually fade out in 2-3 days of treatment.

Blisters can appear within a day of treatment, and some blisters can even look alarming, but it’s completely normal.

Hyperpigmentation and Hypopigmentation occur due to the change in melanin content of the body. This occurs because of the Laser, and this naturally fades away with time.

The Lasers used for tattoo removal are very specific.

These lasers emit radiations that have a specific wavelength determined for various coloured pigments used in the ink when the tattoo was applied. These radiations have a specific energy as well which break down the ink particles trapped in the dermis of the skin.

Once these particles break down, they are small enough that the bodies immune system can take the particles away and clear them from the skin and body.

The surrounding skin starts to recover, following its own immune reaction. This breaking down of ink particles fades the tattoo, and then the skin is left to heal until this procedure can be done again in the next session until the tattoo is completely removed.

Laser tattoo removal can be performed on any tattoo on any part of the body, with the exception of some small areas around the eyes. (You can get eyebrow tattoos removed, however.)

The first step in the process is to have a consultation us, If your tattoo is near the eye where it is not safe to apply the laser, your technician will let you know during your initial consultation.

It is important to stay out of the sun and avoid all sorts of tanning in the weeks leading up to treatment.

You should also avoid shaving, waxing, and exfoliating prior to laser treatment.

If you are a smoker, you should quit smoking, as non-smokers tend to heal faster.

It is important to follow our strict aftercare plan.

After treatment you’ll need to avoid sun exposure and minimise your exercise routine for several days. It’s also important to decrease alcohol consumption and drink lots of water.

Lack of water and excess alcohol can cause dehydration, which will slow down the healing process and increase your risk of getting an infection.

You’ll also need to avoid hot tubs, long baths, high water pressure, and shaving the treated area for several days.

Do not get laser tattoo removal while you are pregnant.

There aren’t enough studies for us to know the effects of the laser on an unborn child. For this reason, it’s always best to wait until after you have given birth and finished breastfeeding to start the tattoo removal process.

The risk of infection with laser tattoo removal is low, but it’s not worth risking your child’s health.