The laser works by breaking down the molecular bonds in the tattoo ink, shattering it into tiny particles. After treatment, the ink isn’t removed immediately instead, your body gradually clears it away through the lymphatic system, just like it does with other waste products.

Laser technology cannot distinguish between tattoo pigment and your skin’s natural pigment, which means there’s a potential risk of lightening or white scarring in areas with more natural pigmentation. To help assess this risk, we use the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale, a tool that helps us understand how your skin is likely to react to the laser and tailor your treatment plan accordingly.

The sensation of laser tattoo removal is often compared to an elastic band snapping against the skin, but I’d describe it more like the quick, sharp sting you feel when hot oil spits from a pan intense, but brief. In terms of pain, most people say it’s similar to getting a tattoo. The key difference is that laser sessions are much faster! Something that took two hours to tattoo usually takes around 20 minutes to treat with the laser.

A black tattoo will take between 8 and 12 laser sessions to be fully removed.For a colour tattoo this can be more sessions.

It is not possible to estimate the amount of sessions just by looking at a tattoo, but these averages apply to most tattoos.

While there’s always a small risk of scarring with any procedure, laser tattoo removal performed correctly should not leave a scar. At Traceless Laser, our approach is designed to protect your skin — we use proven techniques and provide detailed aftercare advice to minimise any risk and support safe, effective healing.

As long as your tattoos fall within the recommended safe-to-treat size, we can treat them all in a single session. Feel free to message me for more information or to check if yours are suitable!