When a tattoo is applied, ink is deposited into the dermis, typically less than 1mm deep. Specialised white blood cells, known as macrophages, perceive the ink as a foreign substance and attempt to eliminate it. However, due to the ink particles’ size, they cannot remove them entirely. Instead, these cells encapsulate and confine the ink within the dermis, rendering the tattoo permanent.

Laser tattoo removal operates by delivering energy into the skin, disrupting the chemical bonds within the ink pigment. This process, combining photothermal and photoacoustic ablation, causes the ink to fragment into minuscule particles. These smaller ink fragments can then be assimilated by macrophages and naturally eliminated via your lymphatic system.

On average, it typically takes about 8-12 sessions to completely remove a tattoo, whereas removing permanent makeup usually necessitates 3-5 sessions. However, due to the uniqueness of each tattoo and individual, these numbers can vary—sometimes requiring fewer sessions, other times more.

The duration of removal depends on three primary factors: the tattoo’s characteristics (size, ink density, location, and age), your overall health and lifestyle, and the customised treatment plan tailored for you. This will be gone through in detail at your free initial consultation.