Laser Tattoo Removal
Forever is not forever anymore.
About Laser Tattoo Removal
DermaEnvy Skincare uses safe and effective technology for the removal of tattoos. Whether you’ve outgrown your tattoo, it’s outgrown you, or you want to make room for an even better work of art, we offer a complete solution for removing unwanted tattoos or permanent makeup. Laser tattoo removal is also an excellent option for lightening existing tattoos to prepare the skin for a cover-up tattoo.
Tattoo removal is most commonly performed using lasers that break down the ink particles in the tattoo. The broken-down ink is then fought off by the immune system, mimicking the natural fading that time or sun exposure would create. All tattoo pigments have specific light absorption spectra, which is why different colors may require different laser wavelengths.
Newer laser technologies, such as Q-switched and picosecond lasers, provide more effective removal with fewer side effects. Multiple sessions are typically needed, and factors like tattoo age, size, ink type, and location influence the total number of treatments. Proper aftercare is important to minimize risks and ensure optimal healing.
How Tattoo Removal Works
Laser tattoo removal uses targeted light energy to safely break down tattoo ink beneath the skin. At DermaEnvy Skincare, we use advanced laser technology that delivers precise pulses of light, which are absorbed by the tattoo pigment. This causes the ink to shatter into tiny particles.
Your body’s immune system then gradually clears these particles over time, naturally fading the tattoo between sessions. Black and dark inks typically respond the fastest, while colours like red, green, or yellow may need additional treatments.
Most tattoos require a series of sessions, spaced several weeks apart, depending on the tattoo’s size, colour, depth, and your skin type. Our experienced team customizes each treatment for safe, effective results while prioritizing your skin’s health throughout the process.
Who Is The Best Laser Tattoo Removal Candidate?
At DermaEnvy Skincare, we know every tattoo and skin type is unique. People with lighter skin and tattoos on the arms, chest, buttocks, or legs typically see the best results because the laser targets ink without affecting surrounding skin.
Tattoos on darker skin or on thinner areas like ankles or fingers can be more challenging, with varied results and a need for careful treatment to avoid changes in skin color.
The tattoo’s type and age matter too. Professional tattoos with quality ink usually respond better than amateur ones, and older tattoos tend to fade more easily than newer ones.
During your consultation, our specialists will assess your tattoo and skin to create a personalized plan and discuss possible side effects such as redness, swelling, pigmentation changes, or rare scarring. Our goal is to provide safe, effective treatment with realistic expectations.
-
Unwanted Tattoo
Tattoo Fading + Cover Up Prep
Permanent Makeup
Breast Cancer Mark Removal
Birthmark / Portwine Stains
-
TATTOO REMOVAL PRE-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS
No recent sun exposure, tan, or use of self-tanners for a minimum of 4 weeks prior to treatment. The risk of hyper/hypo pigmentation (lightening or darkening of the skin) is greatly increased with sun exposure.
Avoid treatments that may irritate the skin like harsh chemicals, depilatories, etc. for at least 1-2 weeks before treatment and 2 to 4 weeks after treatment. This includes products containing tretinoin, retinol, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic/salicylic acids, astringents, etc. Do not resume use of these products until skin has fully healed and all crusting has resolved.
Treatment area should be clean shaven of all hair.
Arrive well hydrated for optimal results
Moderate to significant discomfort is expected. Some areas are more sensitive than others.
Topical Ointment options may be available if required/desired. If you are using Dr. Numb product or wish for it to be applied (at an additional fee) prior to your appointment. please advise at time of booking and arrive a minimum of 15 minutes before your treatment is scheduled
-
LASER TATTOO REMOVAL POST-TREATMENT CARE
The area may appear bruised after treatment, this will typically fade in 5-7 days.
Dressings should be changed once a day or after a shower for the first three days after treatment. Prior to removing the dressing, wash hands with soap and water, then carefully remove the dressing, gently cleanse the wound with soap and water and pat dry with a clean towel.
Apply provided cream or simple petroleum and cover with a large Band-Aid or non-stick gauze dressing and make sure the bandage is not too tight. Keep the treatment area moist with the provided topical.
Ice packs protected with a cloth may be applied as necessary to reduce soreness & swelling. Do not put ice directly on the area, make sure there is a towel or cloth between the ice and your skin.
Bleeding and bruising is expected the first day or two after the procedure.
Wash your hands before touching any treated area. Do not expose the area to dirty or unsanitary conditions.
Try not to bump or stretch the tattoo.
Itching and scabbing is normal. Treatment area may scab but preventing the scab is best.
Scabbing may last 7 to 14 days. DO NOT PICK, PEEL, OR SCRATCH the treated area as it could cause scarring or changes in the natural skin colour. Removing the scab could also increase healing time. If the tattoo is located in a high friction area, or if you have a tendency to scratch, cover with a bandage. Do not shave over the treated area until all scabbing has healed.
Blisters are possible, do not pick at or pop blisters if they do occur.
If the removal is on the face, no makeup is to be applied for 72 hours (three days) after the procedure
Do not expose your healing skin to direct sun, tanning beds, saunas, salt water, or chlorinated pools for 2 to 4 weeks following your procedure.
You may continue to shower, and you can gently wash the treated area with mild soap and water, but pat dry it as soon as possible (do not rub). Do not expose the area directly under a shower spray, no scrubbing the area, do not swim or sit in a spa, and do not soak your body where the area is submerged in water.
-
Not Recommended If You're: Pregnant, have open wounds/infections, or are taking photosensitizing medications.
Use Caution If You Have: Darker skin tones, recent tanning, autoimmune conditions, or past reactions to laser treatments.
We always recommend booking a free consultation before starting treatment to ensure it’s safe and effective for you.
Before + After Laser Tattoo Removal Results
Laser Tattoo Removal FAQs
-
Lasers are used to target the pigment in tattoo ink that resides below the skins surface and fragment it into small pieces. Your body’s natural immune system will then absorb, break down and dispose of the ink. Topical tattoo removal creams sold over the counter are extremely ineffective at removing tattoos. No clinical study to date has shown they actually work.
-
Each person perceives pain differently, so there is no definitive answer. There will be some mild discomfort that is often associated with a hot rubber band being snapped on the skin. Within minutes of the procedure being finished, most clients report little to no discomfort at all. We do offer Dr Numb cream available per application at an additional cost, we also have this product available in our retail shop.
-
The age, location and quality of the tattoo and colours used, combined with your body’s ability to dispose of the ink will determine the total number of treatments needed. For complete* tattoo removal, an average of 10-12 laser tattoo removal treatments will be needed, however every person and tattoo is unique and some might require more while others might require less.
For tattoos that will be covered up, an average of 2-5 laser tattoo removal treatments will be needed, depending on the size and pigment density of your current piece, the desired cover-up tattoo and how comfortable your artist is doing the new tattoo. We will work with you and your tattoo artist to determine how many tattoo removal treatments will be needed.
Homemade tattoos often require as little as 4 laser tattoo removal treatments to completely remove, however each tattoo on each person is unique and there will be some variance.
-
We frequently encounter patients that don't want their tattoos removed completely, but rather revised. Yes, we can provide support to patients looking for tattoo revision.
Patients that want their tattoo artwork revised fit into two categories:
Selective removal
Fading prior to a cover-up
Selective removal patients are looking to erase a part out of a larger tattoo piece. This is a common request for patients with name tattoos. For example, they like the overall design of their tattoo but dislike that it features an ex-boyfriend's name. Patients also request selective removal if their tattoo artist botched the artwork in an area or the tattoo extended further than they wished – they just want certain parts of the tattoo "cleaned up."
Cover-up patients only want their tattoo faded down to make it easier for their tattoo artist to design a tattoo to be drawn in its place. Tattoo fading needs fewer sessions than complete removal. Often 2 to 3 laser sessions are adequate to fade the tattoo significantly and allow the tattoo artist to have a better canvas to work on.
-
Some patients may wish to remove a tattoo before an event – such as their wedding or enlisting in the military. It's important to establish upfront that tattoo removal is a process that relies on the body's ability to eliminate ink from the skin.
It's not unusual for the body to take over a year to completely eliminate ink. Setting expectations clearly upfront allows for patients to be satisfied throughout the experience – rather than feeling as if they were misled.
-
To allow the skin enough time to heal between treatments and the body's immune system to flush away ink, we recommend a minimum of six weeks between laser sessions – and eight weeks for darker complexions. Stacking the treatments too close together can cause damage and permanent side effects to the skin and doesn't allow the body enough time to remove the ink that was shattered at the most recent session. For ideal results, we recommend waiting three months between treatments.
-
Many patients are concerned about scarring from laser tattoo removal – they understandably want their skin to look as natural as possible after they've completed the tattoo removal process.
If the tattoo already features scarring, expect that to remain. What many people don't know is that any scarring that remains after a tattoo removal procedure is often left over from when the tattoo was originally applied by the tattoo artist.
When the proper laser protocols and patient aftercare are utilized, it's very uncommon for a patient to scar from a Q-switched laser treatment. However, it is very common for a tattoo to feature pre-existing scarring from when it was applied.
When a Q-switched laser treats the skin, it targets and breaks down the tattoo pigment in the skin. If pre-existing scarring is present, it will break down this pigment within the scar tissue. Once the tattoo removal process is complete, the ink will have been eliminated from the location but any of the scarring from the original tattoo will likely still remain.
-
Our Laser Tattoo Removal prices vary depending on treatment area and number of treatments being purchased. For a detailed price guide, please visit dermaenvy.com/price-guide
-
Each DermaEnvy Skincare clinic is independently owned, However most offer an interest free, in-clinic Payment Options Available - Ask during your Free Consultation for details.
Book A Complimentary
Skin Consultation
Enviable skin happens here. Our trained medical aestheticians and skincare experts are here to help you achieve your skin goals.
