Thinking about having a tattoo removed? The two questions we get asked most are how many sessions it'll take, and how much it actually hurts. Here's the honest answer to both.
How Many Sessions Does It Take?
Most tattoos need somewhere between six and ten sessions for full removal, spaced roughly four to six weeks apart to give your skin proper time to heal and your body time to clear the broken-down ink between treatments. A moderately sized, coloured tattoo often takes six to eight months in total from start to finish.
Why It Takes Multiple Sessions
The laser breaks tattoo ink into smaller particles that your body's own immune system gradually clears away — it's a biological process, not something that can be rushed. Spacing sessions properly actually speeds up your overall results, since it lets your body do its job fully between treatments.
Does It Actually Hurt?
It's genuinely less painful than most people expect — most describe the sensation as similar to a rubber band flicking against the skin, and it's generally considered less uncomfortable than getting the tattoo in the first place. Cooling technology and numbing cream are used throughout to keep things as comfortable as possible.
What Affects How Many Sessions You'll Need
Ink colour, depth, and how the tattoo was originally applied all make a difference — darker, professionally applied tattoos often respond faster than lighter colours or amateur tattoos with inconsistent ink depth.
Book Your Consultation
If you're ready to start the process, get in touch to book a consultation. We'll assess your tattoo and give you a realistic, honest estimate of what it'll take.