How Laser Tattoo Removal WorksHow Laser Tattoo Removal Works

I've been tattooing since 1991, so I've seen every kind of tattoo regret walk through the door. The name that didn't last. The holiday flash that's gone blurry. The piece that was fine at 19 and just isn't you anymore. None of that is anything to be embarrassed about. Tattoos are part of your story, and sometimes the story changes.

That's why we offer laser tattoo removal here at Good Times Tattoo in Hackney. It's run by Darren, who's fully qualified and works with two professional removal lasers plus a cooling machine to make the whole thing a lot more comfortable. People ask us a lot about how it actually works, so here's the honest version.

What the laser is actually doing

When you get tattooed, the ink sits in the dermis, the layer of skin below the surface. The particles are too big for your body to shift on its own, which is why tattoos stay put.

A laser removal machine sends out incredibly short, powerful pulses of light. The ink absorbs that energy and shatters into much smaller fragments. Your immune system then does the real work, gradually carrying those fragments away over the following weeks. So the fading doesn't happen on the day. It happens slowly, in the background, between sessions.

Darren works with two Q-switched lasers, including a Quanta System Q-Plus. It's the older of the two but by far the more powerful, a proper Italian-made workhorse built for clinics, and that extra power is what you want when you're shifting stubborn ink. Q-switched means the laser fires in tiny fractions of a second, so the energy hits the ink hard and fast without cooking the skin around it. The Nd:YAG wavelengths are brilliant on black and dark inks and also tackle reds and oranges, while the Q-Plus's ruby wavelength is what goes after the stubborn greens and blues. Having both gives him far more options than a single machine, and he'll be straight with you about what's realistic for your colours at your consultation.

How many sessions will I need?

This is the question everyone asks, and the honest answer is: it depends. Removal isn't a one-and-done job. Most tattoos need a course of sessions, and there's no way to give an exact number without seeing it.

A few things make a big difference. Older tattoos usually shift faster than fresh ones. Amateur or stick-and-poke work tends to have less ink in it than a professional piece, so it often clears quicker. Dense, heavily saturated tattoos take longer. Placement matters too, because areas with good circulation, closer to the heart, tend to respond better than hands, ankles and feet. Your own health plays a part as well, since it's your body clearing the ink. Not smoking and staying hydrated genuinely helps.

Sessions need to be spaced out, usually at least six to eight weeks apart, to give your skin time to heal and your body time to clear what's been broken up. Rushing it doesn't speed things up. It just risks irritating your skin.

Does it hurt?

I won't pretend it's a spa day. Most people describe it as a hot elastic band snapping on the skin. The good news is each session is quick, often just a few minutes for a small piece, and Darren's new cooling machine blows cold air over the area while he works, which takes a lot of the sting out.

What happens afterwards

Straight after treatment the area usually goes white for a few minutes. That's called frosting and it's completely normal. You might get some redness, swelling or tenderness, and sometimes small blisters over the next day or two. Keep it clean, don't pick at anything, and keep it out of the sun. Darren will go through aftercare properly with you before you leave.

Full removal or fading for a cover-up?

Not everyone wants a tattoo gone completely. A lot of our clients come to us because they want something new tattooed over an old piece that's too dark or too bold to cover well. A few sessions of laser to lighten it first can open up a huge range of design options.

This is where being a tattoo studio really helps. If you're thinking about a cover-up, you can talk to Darren about fading and one of our artists about the new design, all under one roof. We'll plan it together so the laser work sets the new tattoo up properly.

Come and have a chat

Every removal starts with a consultation. Darren will look at your tattoo, talk you through what's realistic, how many sessions you're likely to need and what it'll cost, and do a patch test if it's right for you. No pressure and no hard sell.

To get started, send us an enquiry through the contact form on our website, or pop into the studio for a chat. We don't do online booking because we'd rather have a proper conversation first.

Good Times Tattoo 8 Lower Clapton Road, Hackney, London E5 0PD

Tattooing East London since 2009.