What should you know about tattoo removal?

Short laser pulses target pigment while limiting heat exposure to surrounding skin. The fragmented pigment is then gradually cleared by the body's normal processes. Different ink colours, pigment depths, tattoo age, density, and previous attempts can change how the skin responds. Complete clearance is not something a clinician can promise, and a residual shadow or altered texture may remain.

Temporary redness, swelling, tenderness, blistering, or crusting can occur. Pigment becoming darker or lighter, infection, scarring, or a change in the natural skin colour are possible risks, especially when settings or aftercare do not suit the skin.

Show the clinician the tattoo in natural light and mention tanning, skin conditions, medicines, scarring history, and prior laser work. Ask whether a small test area is appropriate. After treatment, keep the area clean and protected as directed, do not pick crusts or blisters, and limit sun exposure while the skin heals. [Picosecond Laser](/technology/picosecond-laser/) and [Q-Switched Laser](/technology/q-switched-laser/) use different pulse approaches; the clinician can explain which fits the pigment.

Contact the treating clinic if pain, redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage increases, or if fever or pus develops. Seek prompt assessment for rapidly spreading redness, severe blistering, or signs of an allergic reaction such as facial swelling or breathing difficulty.

Ask which colours and pigment depths may respond, how your skin tone and tanning affect settings, what changes are expected during healing, and how the treatment plan will be adjusted if the tattoo reacts unexpectedly.