What to Expect at Your Laser Tattoo Removal Appointment
I've been tattooing for over thirty years, so you'd think I'd have a problem with laser removal. I don't. Sometimes a tattoo has had its moment. Sometimes you want to fade something down so we can put something better over it. Either way, getting it done properly, by someone who knows what they're doing, matters.
A lot of people sit on the idea for years because they don't know what actually happens when they walk in. So here's the honest version of what to expect when you come to us for laser tattoo removal in London.
It starts with a conversation
Every removal starts with a consultation with Darren, who runs our laser room. He'll look at the tattoo, ask how old it is, whether it was done professionally, and what you're hoping for: full removal, or a fade so it can be covered up.
He'll also go through some health questions. Certain medications, skin conditions, pregnancy and recent sun exposure can all affect whether it's the right time to treat, so be upfront. It's not paperwork for the sake of it. It's about keeping your skin safe.
This is also where you get a realistic picture. Black and dark ink usually responds best. Some colours take longer, and some stubborn pigments may never fully disappear. Darren will tell you straight rather than promise you something the laser can't do.
The patch test
Before a full session, Darren will usually do a small patch test on the tattoo. It shows how your skin and that particular ink react, and it lets you feel what the laser is like before committing to anything. Most people find this alone takes a lot of the fear out of it.
What the session is actually like
On the day, the area is cleaned, you'll pop on protective glasses, and Darren gets to work. He uses a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, which breaks the ink into tiny particles your body then clears away naturally over the following weeks.
People always ask if it hurts. Honestly? It's nothing. Most describe it as a quick snapping feeling, like an elastic band flicking the skin. The good news is it's fast, often just a few minutes for a small piece, and Darren uses a cooling machine that blows cold air over the skin while he works, which makes a real difference to comfort.
Straight after, the area often goes white and frosty for a few minutes. That's normal and fades quickly. You might be a bit red, warm or puffy afterwards, a bit like a mild sunburn.
Aftercare and healing
You'll leave with aftercare advice. Keep it clean, don't pick or scratch, keep it out of the sun, and let it do its thing. Some people get small blisters or a bit of scabbing, which is part of the process. Treat it gently, the way you'd treat a fresh tattoo.
How many sessions?
This is the big one, and there's no one-size answer. It depends on the ink, the colours, how deep it went in, where it is on your body and how your immune system clears it. Sessions are spaced weeks apart to give your skin time to heal and your body time to flush out the ink. Coming back too soon doesn't speed it up; it just stresses the skin.
Darren will give you an honest estimate at consultation, and you can choose single sessions or a course package.
Fading for a cover-up
If you're planning to cover an old tattoo, a few sessions of lightening first can give your tattoo artist far more freedom with the new design. Because we do both under one roof, Darren and our artists can actually talk to each other about the plan, which is something most removal clinics can't offer.
Thinking about it?
If you've been putting it off, come and chat to us. No pressure, no hard sell, just a straight answer on what's possible for your tattoo.
Fill in the contact form on our website or pop in to see us at 8 Lower Clapton Road, 1st Floor, Hackney, London E5 0PD. There's no online booking. Every removal starts with a proper consultation, because every tattoo and every bit of skin is different.
Nikole x Good Times Tattoo, tattooing East London since 2009