Treatment expectations

Does Laser Tattoo Removal Hurt?

The short answer

Yes, briefly. Each pulse feels like a hot elastic band snapping against the skin, and it stops the moment the laser does. Numbing cream and pressing or cooling the skin both take the edge off, and there is research behind each.

Written by Daniel Mason, Level 4 Laser Technician at The Blackbird Wing

Published · Last reviewed · 3 min read

A clenched fist against a dark background

It does, and I’d rather you knew that than found out on the bed. The pain is sharp and short: each pulse feels like a hot elastic band snapping against the skin, and it stops the moment the laser does. Two things are known to take the edge off.

What helps, and the evidence for it

What I do here

A small tattoo is a matter of seconds under the laser. The aftercare sheet covers the hours afterwards, when the area feels like sunburn. Scarring is a separate question, and the answer there is better than most people expect.

References

  1. 1.Lapidoth M, Akerman L. Pain inhibition in Q-switched laser tattoo removal with pneumatic skin flattening (PSF): a pilot study. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy. 2007;9(3):164–166. doi:10.1080/14764170701501668A small pilot study of eleven people having tattoo removal with the same type of laser I use.
  2. 2.Cohen JL. Pain management with a topical lidocaine and tetracaine 7%/7% cream with laser dermatologic procedures. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2013;12(9):986–989. Read the sourceA review of one numbing cream across laser procedures, including tattoo removal.
  3. 3.Caprari E, Viciguerra MT, Milani M. Assessment of clinical efficacy of lidocaine/tetracaine 7%/7% peel cream in fractional microablative laser procedure-associated pain. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2022;21(1):254–258. doi:10.1111/jocd.14296A randomised trial of the same numbing cream, 30 people, for a different laser procedure.
Daniel Mason

Daniel Mason

Level 4 Laser Technician · The Blackbird Wing

Daniel carries out every laser tattoo removal treatment at The Blackbird Wing in Lymington, on the edge of the New Forest.

This guide is general information to help you know what to expect. It is not medical advice, and it is no substitute for a consultation and patch test, where we look at your skin and your tattoo.

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