Laser Tattoo Removal:
Everything You Need to Know

You have a tattoo you no longer want. Perhaps an impulsive decision, perhaps you have changed, or you need it removed for professional reasons. Whatever the motivation, laser removal is currently the most effective and safe option for eliminating or lightening a tattoo.

At Lucifer Tattoo we use a picosecond laser — the most advanced technology currently available. This article explains exactly how it works, what to expect, and helps you decide whether it is the right option for your specific situation.

How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?

The laser emits high-intensity light pulses that penetrate the skin and are absorbed by the tattoo ink particles. This energy shatters the ink into microscopic fragments that your immune system can then eliminate naturally through the lymphatic system.

Think of the tattoo ink as a large rock. The laser breaks it into fine sand that your body can sweep away and remove.

Picosecond vs Q-Switch Laser

The picosecond laser fragments ink into much smaller particles, allowing more complete elimination in fewer sessions and with less collateral damage to surrounding skin.

How Many Sessions Do I Need?

The honest answer: it depends. Each tattoo is different, and several factors affect the number of sessions required.

General session estimates

• Amateur/home black tattoo: 3–5 sessions
• Professional black tattoo: 6–10 sessions
• Coloured tattoo (standard colours): 8–12 sessions
• Coloured tattoo (difficult colours): 10–15 sessions
• Lightening for a cover-up: 2–4 sessions

What Happens During and After Each Session?

During the session

Most people describe the sensation as similar to rubber bands snapping rapidly against the skin — uncomfortable rather than intensely painful. Sessions last between 10 and 30 minutes depending on the tattoo's size. Numbing cream can be applied beforehand to reduce discomfort.

Immediately after

Redness, swelling, and a whitening of the treated area are normal — this is the skin's immediate reaction to the laser energy. Blistering can occur within 24–48 hours; this is also normal and part of the healing process.

In the following weeks

The treated area will gradually fade over 4–6 weeks after each session as your immune system eliminates the fragmented ink. The tattoo will look progressively lighter between sessions, and the full result of each treatment takes time to become visible.

Laser to Lighten Before a Cover-Up

Many people do not need complete removal — they want to replace the old tattoo with a new one. In these cases, partial laser lightening combined with a cover-up is often the optimal approach.

2–4 laser sessions can lighten an existing tattoo enough to:

• Allow a much wider range of cover-up design options
• Enable lighter colours or finer styles in the cover-up
• Make the cover-up look more natural with less visual impact of the original
• Reduce the size difference required between old and new design

This approach is particularly valuable for dark, saturated tattoos where a direct cover-up would be very limited in design options. We offer this combined service at Lucifer Tattoo.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sessions does laser tattoo removal take?

It depends on several factors: ink colours, tattoo age, density, body location and your immune system. Amateur tattoos in black may need 3–5 sessions. Professional black tattoos typically require 6–10 sessions. Coloured tattoos can take 8–15 sessions. Sessions are spaced 20–30 days apart.

Is picosecond laser better than Q-switch for tattoo removal?

Yes. Picosecond laser fires pulses in trillionths of a second, fragmenting ink into much smaller particles than the older Q-switch (nanosecond) technology. This means faster fading, fewer sessions needed, less thermal damage to surrounding skin, and better results on difficult colours like green, yellow and blue.

Does laser tattoo removal hurt?

Most people describe it as similar to the snap of a rubber band against the skin, repeated rapidly. It is uncomfortable rather than intensely painful. The sensation varies by body area — areas with less tissue like wrists and ribs tend to be more sensitive. Numbing cream can be applied before the session to reduce discomfort.

Which tattoo colours are hardest to remove with laser?

Black and dark blue respond best to laser. Red and orange are moderately difficult. The hardest colours are yellow, light green, sky blue and white — these reflect laser light rather than absorbing it, and require specific wavelengths or more sessions to break down effectively.