Laser Tattoo Removal in London W2

How laser tattoo removal works

Tattoo ink sits in the dermis as particles too large for the body to remove by itself. We use a laser designed to break up tattoo ink. Its very short pulses shatter those particles into smaller fragments without cutting the skin.

Over the following weeks, the immune system carries the fragments away, and the tattoo fades between visits. That is why the gap between sessions matters as much as the session itself. Most of the fading happens at home, while the skin and lymphatic system do their work.

Each pulse targets ink of particular colours, so the way a tattoo responds depends on the inks used, how deep they sit and how densely they were applied.

Eyebrow and cosmetic tattoo removal

Semi-permanent brow work, including microblading and powder brows, can fade to grey, blue, orange or pink, or simply end up in the wrong shape. Laser can lighten or clear this pigment so you can let your natural brows grow back or start again with a new artist.

Treatment near the eyes needs extra care. Protective eye shields are placed before any laser is used on the brows, and the hairs themselves are assessed beforehand.

Cosmetic inks need particular caution. Pigments containing white, flesh-toned or some red ingredients can darken when hit by laser, sometimes turning grey or black. For this reason we usually test a small area first and review it before treating the whole brow. If cosmetic tattoo elsewhere on the face, such as lip liner, is the concern, we will assess whether laser is appropriate at all.

Which tattoos respond well, and which are harder?

Results vary a great deal, and an honest assessment at consultation is the most useful starting point. As a general guide:

• Black and dark blue ink usually respond best.
• Red, orange and purple often fade reasonably well over a course.
• Green, light blue and yellow are usually harder to shift.
• White and skin-tone inks are difficult and can darken.
• Amateur tattoos often clear faster than professional ones, which tend to hold more ink.
• Tattoos on the hands, feet and lower legs can fade more slowly, as circulation there is lower.

Very colourful or very large tattoos may not suit laser removal, or may only lighten partly. If we think that is likely, we will tell you before you commit.

Who should wait or choose another option

Every treatment starts with a medical history check. Laser tattoo removal is not suitable at the moment for anyone with:

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• An infection, open wound, cold sore or active skin condition in the area
• A recent tan, sunbed use or fake tan on the skin to be treated
• Medication that makes the skin sensitive to light, which you should check with your GP or pharmacist
• A history of keloid or raised scarring

If a mole, raised patch or changing mark sits inside the tattoo, have it checked by your GP or a dermatologist first. Laser should not be used over any mark that has not been assessed.

How many sessions will I need?

Most tattoos need a course rather than one visit. Six to twelve sessions is common, and some dense or colourful tattoos need more. Small amateur tattoos and older faded brow work can sometimes clear in fewer.

Sessions are usually spaced six to eight weeks apart, so a full course often runs for a year or longer. Booking closer together does not speed things up and can irritate the skin.

Complete removal is not guaranteed. Some tattoos leave a faint ghost or shadow, or a slight change in skin tone. If you plan to cover the tattoo with new work, a shorter course to fade it is often enough. We review the fading at each visit and adjust or stop the plan when the gains level off.

What happens during and after a session

Your first visit begins with a consultation. We look at the tattoo, ask about its age and inks, and take photographs to track fading.

1. The skin is cleansed, and eye protection is put on. For brow work, protective shields cover the eyes.
2. The laser is passed over the tattoo. Most people describe it as a sharp snapping, like an elastic band against the skin.
3. The skin is cooled and a dressing applied where needed.

The treated area often turns white straight away. This is called frosting and usually settles within about half an hour. Over the next days, redness, swelling, blistering and scabbing are common and are a normal part of healing.

Aftercare, side effects and risks

Good aftercare lowers the chance of problems. Keep the area clean and dry, and follow the dressing advice you are given. Do not pick scabs or burst blisters. Avoid swimming, saunas, steam rooms and hot baths until the skin has fully healed, and protect the area with high-factor SPF for the whole course.

Temporary lightening or darkening of the skin is fairly common, particularly in darker skin tones, and usually settles over months. Less often, there can be infection, lasting texture change or scarring. Seek medical advice if the area becomes hot, increasingly painful or produces pus. If pigment changes linger once the tattoo is gone, our pigmentation treatment page explains what can help.

Some people return for other laser work, such as laser hair removal or a carbon laser peel. Faint textural marks are sometimes discussed alongside microneedling, once the skin has settled.

Tattoo removal prices at our Edgware Road clinic

There is no single price for tattoo removal, because a palm-sized black tattoo and a full-colour half sleeve are very different jobs. The cost depends on the size of the area, the colours involved and how many sessions we expect it to need.

At consultation we give you a per-session price and an honest estimate of the course, including when partial fading is the likely outcome. Your final plan and price are confirmed before any treatment starts.

Getting here from Paddington, Marylebone and Maida Vale

Our clinic at 304 Edgware Road is about 50 metres from Edgware Road's Bakerloo line station. The Circle, District and Hammersmith & City lines are a 2 to 3 minute walk away on Chapel Street. From Paddington it is roughly a ten-minute walk, and Marylebone is just across the road to the east. Maida Vale is one stop north on the Bakerloo line.

With sessions spaced weeks apart, it helps that we are open 10:30am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and 1pm to 5pm on Sundays and bank holidays. Book by WhatsApp on 07479 973309, by phone on 020 4619 8781 or through our booking form.