Tattoo removal takes a course of treatments rather than a single one, and some tattoos fade more readily than others. Black, blue and red respond best; green, yellow and purple are harder. Below you will find what is involved, how it feels, how the skin looks afterwards and how many sessions are usually needed.
Tattoo removal at Cheshire Lasers
Cheshire Lasers uses a Q-switched laser made by Lynton, a few miles down the road in Holmes Chapel. Q-switched lasers are the only type of laser that are safe and effective for the removal of tattoos.
This laser is very effective but expensive to buy, run and maintain, which is reflected in our prices.
What type of tattoos can our lasers fade?
Our laser can fade away tattoos of various size and colour. Tattoos are of two main types: the Indian ink amateur tattoo or the multi-coloured, professional tattoo.
What colour tattoos can it fade?
Single-colour tattoos usually respond best to laser tattoo removal. Multi-coloured, professional tattoos are much more difficult to eradicate completely.
Black, blue and red colours in the tattoo respond best to treatment, but green, yellow and purple pigment can be more difficult.
Green coloured tattoos require different lasers for successful treatment, and we may need to recommend a specialist clinic with a ruby laser to remove this colour.
At Cheshire Lasers tattoo removal is popular for people who:
- Wish they had never got a tattoo
- Who are looking to fade a tattoo for a new design
- Need to remove a tattoo to help pursue a career
What happens during a tattoo removal treatment?
Active Q-switched lasers that generate a high powered beam of laser light in an extremely short pulse are the most suitable lasers for tattoo removal. The light is absorbed by the tattoo ink particles, breaking them down into smaller pieces, enabling your natural immune defences to absorb and disperse the ink. A gradual fading of the tattoo occurs over a series of treatments.
The skin is cleaned and the laser applicator is passed over the tattoo releasing quick pulses of light. You will hear an audible clicking noise as the ink particles shatter. After treatment, we will apply a dressing to keep the area clean and dry.
What does it feel like?
Most clients describe the sensation as similar to a hot pin prick or the flick of an elastic band. Whilst mildly uncomfortable, most people tolerate the treatment well. A skin cooling device may be utilised to reduce any discomfort.
How does the skin look after a tattoo removal treatment?
An instant whitening of the skin occurs but this generally fades quickly. The area is likely to feel tender for a few hours and can be red and swollen for up to 48 hours. Initially, the tattoo is unlikely to look any different but will fade over 4 to 8 weeks as the body breaks down and disperses the pigmentation.
What is the recovery period?
Some tattoos can graze or blister. If this happens, leave the area to heal naturally. After your treatment, we will apply a dressing. Keep the area dressed and covered until the area heals. This matters most if you develop blistering or grazing. It is also important not to pick the area while it is healing.
Very rarely the skin may become lighter or darker, or larger blisters may form.
Changes to skin texture and scarring are possible, though very uncommon, and are more likely if grazes are not allowed to heal naturally. There may be loss of natural tanning ability in the area treated which usually improves with time.
How many treatments will I need?
This depends on a number of factors such as the density and colour of the tattoo and the age of the tattoo. Amateur tattoos can be quick to remove, taking 1 to 6 treatments, whereas professional tattoos vary considerably and can take up to 14 treatments. We recommend you have your treatments every 6 to 12 weeks. The laser breaks the ink into fragments and your own body clears them away over the following weeks, so the tattoo carries on fading between appointments. The longer you leave between treatments, the more fading happens on its own and the fewer sessions you may need overall. There is no advantage in rushing, unless you want the tattoo gone as soon as possible — in which case six weeks is the shortest gap we would recommend.
Treatment can take 10 minutes to 30 minutes depending on the size of the tattoo.
Can a tattoo be faded rather than removed?
Yes. If you are planning a cover-up, a new design usually sits better over a lighter tattoo, so the aim is to fade the old one rather than clear it completely. Most of our clients who ask for fading need between two and four treatments to achieve what they want. We can also work on part of a tattoo only, removing a name or a section while leaving the rest alone.
It is worth asking your tattoo artist how light they need the area to be before you start, so we can plan the right number of sessions between us. Fading uses the same laser as removal and feels the same, with the same aftercare, and it begins with the same consultation and patch test. Prices are by the size of the area treated, as below.
How much is tattoo removal?
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Consultation and patch test | £30 |
| XX-Small tattoo | £45 |
| X-Small tattoo | £66 |
| Small tattoo | £100 |
| Medium tattoo | £135 |
| Large tattoo | £185 |
| X-Large tattoo | £240 |
Prices are per session. Amateur tattoos can take as few as 1 to 6 sessions, while professional tattoos need considerably more. The patch test must be carried out at least seven days before your first treatment.
Book a consultation and patch test
Before and after tattoo removal images
View all our laser prices here.