Laser tattoo removal is a medical procedure that uses concentrated light energy to break down tattoo ink particles embedded in your skin. Unlike other removal methods such as dermabrasion, surgical excision, or chemical peels, laser removal is the gold standard for safely and effectively removing unwanted tattoos with minimal risk of scarring.
The technology works by emitting specific wavelengths of light that pass harmlessly through your outer skin layer and are absorbed by the tattoo ink beneath. When the ink absorbs this light energy, it heats up rapidly and shatters into microscopic particles. These tiny fragments are then small enough for your body's immune system — specifically white blood cells called macrophages — to gradually carry away and eliminate through your lymphatic system.
This process doesn't happen overnight. Each laser session targets and fragments a portion of the ink, and your body needs time between sessions to clear these particles and heal. This is why tattoo removal requires multiple sessions spaced several weeks apart, with the tattoo progressively fading after each treatment until the desired level of removal is achieved.
Modern laser technology has advanced significantly, with Q-switched and picosecond lasers offering precise targeting of ink while minimising damage to surrounding skin tissue. Different wavelengths target different ink colours, which is why specialist clinics with advanced equipment can address multi-coloured tattoos more effectively than clinics with basic, single-wavelength machines.