Everything you need to know

Pricing varies depending on the size, colour and complexity of your tattoo. Smaller pieces (up to A6, such as names or symbols) start from £49 per session, medium pieces up to A4 (a single body area like a forearm or ankle) start from £89 per session, and larger or multi-area work such as sleeves and back pieces is quoted individually after a free assessment, since pricing depends on the number of sessions realistically needed.

We always give you an honest, itemised estimate at your free consultation before you commit to anything — see our full pricing for more detail.

Yes — we offer a free online consultation for every new client. During it, we assess your tattoo's size, colour, depth and location, talk through your skin type and medical history, and explain how the laser will respond to your specific ink. This lets us set realistic expectations about results, timeframe, and any limitations before you book a paid session, with no pressure to proceed.

Please note the consultation itself is free, but a separate patch test is required before your first full session and is charged at £30 — see below for what that involves.

Yes. A patch test is a small, controlled test treatment performed on an area of your tattoo before your first full session, priced at £30. It tells us how your individual skin and ink respond to the laser, so we can select the safest, most effective settings for your full treatment plan.

During the test we select a small section of your tattoo, apply a few test pulses at a safe, conservative setting, and monitor your skin's reaction — including checking for any signs of an allergic reaction — over the following 48 hours before going ahead with full treatment. It's a precautionary step that protects your skin and helps us tailor your plan correctly from the start.

Yes — you can book your free consultation directly through our website booking form, or call us on +44 7477 595427 to arrange an appointment that suits you.

Most clients describe the sensation as similar to, or slightly more intense than, getting the original tattoo — often compared to a hot elastic band snapping against the skin. We use ice packs before, during and after treatment to cool the skin and minimise the heat the laser generates, which keeps the session as comfortable as possible.

It's also normal to see a whitish "frosting" appear on the treated area during your session — this is a positive sign the laser is breaking down the ink, not a burn, and it typically fades within 10–15 minutes.

We use the Eternal Laser Systems PHANTOM Nd:YAG Q-Switch laser, a dual-wavelength medical-grade system built specifically for tattoo and pigment removal. It operates at two wavelengths — 1064nm, which targets dark and black ink most effectively, and 532nm, which targets red, orange, yellow and violet tones — allowing us to treat multi-coloured tattoos accurately by adjusting the wavelength to match each colour present.

Most colours respond well to treatment, but not all are equal. Black ink responds best and clears fastest, since it absorbs the laser's 1064nm wavelength very effectively. Red, orange, yellow and violet tones are treated using the 532nm wavelength and generally respond well too.

Green ink is the most difficult colour to remove with our current equipment, as it falls outside the wavelengths our laser targets most effectively — we'll always be upfront about this at your consultation rather than promise a result we can't deliver. White ink also requires caution, as it can contain titanium or cadmium and may darken (oxidise) rather than fade if treated directly, so we assess it carefully case by case.

For your safety, we're unable to treat clients who are:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Under 18 (16–17 year olds may be treated only with written parental consent)
• Within 6 months of getting the tattoo (skin needs time to fully settle and heal)
• Fitted with implants, metal plates or a pacemaker directly under the treatment area
• Living with diabetes, a thyroid disorder, or kidney disease that hasn't been cleared by a GP
• Recently treated with Botox or dermal filler in the area

This isn't an exhaustive list — your full medical history is reviewed at your free consultation so we can confirm treatment is safe for you specifically.

Yes, for a small number of conditions we require written clearance from your GP before treatment can proceed, including: epilepsy, heart disease, high blood pressure managed with medication, thyroid disease, anti-rejection medication following organ transplant, and cancer (we require a minimum of 12 months in remission plus a doctor's note). This isn't us being overly cautious — these conditions can affect healing, bleeding, or your skin's response to the laser, and your safety comes first.

It depends on the medication. Blood thinners (such as Warfarin or Apixaban) and anti-platelet drugs (such as Aspirin or Clopidogrel) increase bleeding risk and require a GP note confirming it's safe to proceed. NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen and similar) and certain antibiotics can increase sun-sensitivity and affect healing. Roaccutane and similar acne medications can affect skin healing for several months after use, and steroids may require a 6-week delay after your course ends.

None of this is necessarily a dealbreaker — we'll talk through your current medications at your free consultation and advise honestly on timing.

This varies from person to person — there's no single number we can promise upfront. The total depends on several factors: ink density and quality (professionally tattooed ink is applied thicker and takes longer to clear than amateur ink), ink colour (black fades fastest; some colours need more sessions), tattoo age and size, and your individual immune system and lifestyle, since your body naturally clears the broken-down ink particles between sessions.

Sessions are typically spaced several weeks apart to give your skin and lymphatic system time to fully process each treatment. We'll give you a realistic, honest estimate at your consultation based on your specific tattoo — see our real client results for examples of typical progress.

Most clients see visible fading from the very first session, with ink continuing to lighten progressively over a course of treatment. Complete removal isn't always guaranteed for every tattoo — factors like ink type, age and your skin's healing response all play a part — but we'll always give you an honest assessment of what's realistic for your specific piece.

Temporary skin tone changes (lightening or darkening of the treated area) can occur after treatment and usually resolve naturally within 3–12 months as your skin heals. Permanent pigment changes are uncommon, and we'll flag your individual risk level — which can be slightly higher for darker skin tones.

Treat the area as you would a minor burn for the first week. Apply aloe vera gel to soothe and cool the skin, keep the area clean using warm water only (avoid soap, perfume and other irritants), and protect it from the sun completely until fully healed — sun exposure on treated skin increases the risk of pigmentation changes.

Avoid saunas, jacuzzis and hot baths while the area is healing, and never pick at any scabs or blisters that form — this delays healing and increases infection risk. You'll be given full written aftercare instructions after every session, and we're always available if you have concerns.

Yes — mild redness, swelling and tenderness immediately after treatment is completely normal and usually settles within a few hours to a few days. Blisters can also appear and are actually a positive sign your skin is healing correctly; treat them gently, keep them clean, and let them heal on their own rather than popping or picking them. Apply an ice pack to ease any discomfort and aloe vera gel to soothe the area.

If you notice signs of infection — increasing pain, pus, spreading redness, or a fever — contact us straight away so we can advise you.

Yes. Our laser tattoo removal technicians are trained to the highest standard through Eternal Laser Academy's Level 5 Tattoo Removal Masterclass — a comprehensive qualification covering laser science, skin types, ink composition, contraindications, patch testing, treatment protocols, and aftercare. We take client safety and treatment quality seriously, and every session is carried out by a fully trained, insured practitioner.