Tattoo Removal Guides

Straight answers about laser tattoo removal, written in plain English

Each guide answers one question people ask us before they start. The answer comes first, in a sentence or two. The detail underneath shows where it comes from: published research, and what we see treating tattoos every week in Lymington.

A small black-ink geometric tattoo on a forearm

Treatment expectations

How Many Sessions Does Laser Tattoo Removal Take?

In the largest study, under half of tattoos were fully gone after ten sessions and three quarters after fifteen. I explain what moves your number, and why I only ever give a range.

Reviewed · 3 min readRead →

Treatment expectations

A small tattoo on the side of a foot, one of the slower areas to fade

Treatment expectations

Does Where Your Tattoo Is Affect How Quickly It Fades?

A 2026 study of 111 people found that where a tattoo sits on the body mattered more than anything else it measured. That matches what I see in the studio, and I explain what it means if I’m treating yours.

Reviewed · 4 min readRead →

A lit cigarette in an ashtray, smoke rising

Treatment expectations

Does Smoking Affect Laser Tattoo Removal?

Smoking is the one lifestyle habit anyone has measured in tattoo removal, and smokers were less likely to have their tattoo fully gone. If you smoke and I’m treating you, this is what it means.

Reviewed · 3 min readRead →

Two pints of beer on a pub table

Treatment expectations

Does Drinking Alcohol Affect Laser Tattoo Removal?

No study has measured how alcohol affects tattoo removal. It is known to slow healing, so I ask for a few dry days around a session.

Reviewed · 2 min readRead →

Tattooed legs in running shoes climbing stone steps in the sun

Treatment expectations

Does Exercise Help Laser Tattoo Removal?

Exercise moves lymph fluid several times faster, and that is how ink leaves the skin. No study has tested it on a tattoo, so here is what I tell clients about training.

Reviewed · 3 min readRead →

A glass of water on a wooden table in soft light

Treatment expectations

Does Drinking Water Help Laser Tattoo Removal?

Plenty of websites say water flushes the ink out, but I could not find a single study behind the claim. This is what I tell clients instead.

Reviewed · 2 min readRead →

A clenched fist against a dark background

Treatment expectations

Does Laser Tattoo Removal Hurt?

It feels like a hot elastic band, a pulse at a time. Numbing cream and pressing the skin flat both have research behind them. I also cover what I do here and what the patch test is for.

Reviewed · 3 min readRead →

A faint, faded tattoo on the inside of an upper arm

Treatment expectations

Why Has My Tattoo Stopped Fading?

The easy ink goes first, so later sessions show less change. The research points to four things to check when a tattoo plateaus, and I go through what I do about each.

Reviewed · 3 min readRead →

Tattoo colours

A full-colour sleeve tattoo in blues, greens and pinks

Tattoo colours

Can Lasers Remove Green, Blue or Yellow Tattoo Ink?

A laser only sees the colours that absorb its light. I go through which ones mine removes well, which it doesn’t, and what the research says about green and blue.

Reviewed · 3 min readRead →

Healing & aftercare

A woman resting a hand on her bare forearm

Healing & aftercare

Will Laser Tattoo Removal Leave a Scar?

Raised scars were reported in about 2 in 1,000 sessions in a 2026 survey, pale patches in about 6 in 1,000. I explain what raises the risk and how I keep it low.

Reviewed · 3 min readRead →

See also: the session calculator, real before and after results and prices.