What it is
Laser tattoo and microblading removal uses ultra-short laser pulses (Q-switched or picosecond) to shatter pigment particles. The body’s immune cells then clear the fragments over weeks. Each session removes a portion; multiple sessions stack to clear most tattoos.
How we approach it
The first visit is a candid evaluation: ink colors, age of the tattoo, depth, skin type, your tolerance for a multi-month process, and your tolerance for cost. A typical decorative tattoo takes six to ten sessions spaced six to eight weeks apart. Amateur tattoos can clear in fewer; multi-color professional tattoos often take more.
Cosmetic tattoo removal (eyebrow microblading, eyeliner) has additional considerations: pigment chemistry, proximity to the eye, risk of pigment darkening with laser exposure. We evaluate before treating, and a test patch is standard before committing to a full removal series.
What to expect
Sessions feel like flicked rubber bands. Immediate frosting (white discoloration) is normal and resolves within an hour. Scabbing for one to two weeks; occasional blistering. Aftercare with petrolatum and an occlusive dressing reduces healing time and pigment risk.
Fading is gradual between sessions. Final clearance is assessed after the full series. Some pigment may resist complete clearance.
Candidacy
Best for patients with unwanted decorative or amateur tattoos who can plan a multi-session series, and for cosmetic tattoo patients who consent to a test patch first. Not for single-visit expectations, active infection, recent isotretinoin, or pregnancy.