Laser Tattoo Removal

Tattoo removal at Esthé Laser Clinic uses a Q-switched alexandrite laser — one of the most effective systems for shattering black, dark blue, and green tattoo inks into particles small enough for the immune system to clear. The Q-switched mechanism delivers extremely short, high-peak-power pulses (nanosecond duration) that create a photoacoustic shockwave inside the ink particle rather than a thermal effect — this shatters the pigment without burning the surrounding dermis. Each session fragments a portion of the ink; the body's lymphatic system clears the debris over the following 6–8 weeks, and successive sessions address the remaining pigment. Most professional tattoos require 6–12 sessions depending on ink density, depth, age, and colour. Consultations are recommended before booking to assess the tattoo and provide a realistic session estimate.

Laser tattoo removal works through the principle of selective photothermolysis applied to exogenous pigment particles — the ink aggregates that a tattooing needle deposits into the dermis at 1–4 mm depth. Standard tattoo inks are metallic salt compounds, carbon particles, or organic dyes that are too large for the immune system's macrophages to phagocytose and clear. A laser pulse that is precisely tuned to the ink's absorption wavelength and delivered in a sufficiently short pulse duration can create a photoacoustic shockwave that physically fractures the ink particle. The resulting fragments are orders of magnitude smaller than the original aggregate, small enough for macrophages to engulf and transport through the lymphatic drainage to regional lymph nodes — which is the mechanism of gradual clearance. At Esthé Laser Clinic, the Q-switched alexandrite laser operates at 755 nm — a wavelength absorbed by black, dark brown, and dark blue-green inks. The Q-switched delivery mechanism stores energy in the laser cavity and releases it in a single extremely short pulse (typically 50–100 nanoseconds), creating a peak power output far higher than a continuous-wave laser of the same average energy. This pulse duration is shorter than the thermal relaxation time of the ink particles, meaning the mechanical (photoacoustic) effect dominates over the thermal effect — ink is shattered rather than burned. The surrounding dermis is largely spared because it does not absorb 755 nm energy to the same degree. The clinical outcome depends heavily on several factors. Professional tattoos are placed at greater depth with higher ink density than amateur or cosmetic tattoos, and typically require more sessions. Older tattoos have already undergone some spontaneous macrophage-mediated fading and may clear faster than newer, ink-dense work. Tattoo location matters: the lymphatic drainage in the chest and trunk is faster than in the distal extremities (hands, feet), so a chest tattoo typically clears in fewer sessions than the same design on a foot. Skin type influences both the safe fluence that can be used and the risk of post-inflammatory hypopigmentation. Colours other than black and dark blue require different wavelengths for complete removal. Red, orange, and yellow inks absorb better at 532 nm (frequency-doubled Nd:YAG). Green inks, somewhat counterintuitively, are among the most resistant to removal and may require a 694 nm ruby laser or a picosecond-class system for best results. The clinical team at Esthé assesses the ink palette at consultation and advises on whether the clinic's system can address all colours present or whether adjunct modalities might be needed. Each session is followed by a 6–8 week rest period. This interval is not arbitrary: it corresponds to the time required for the immune system to clear the fragmented ink from the previous session. Treating too frequently does not increase clearance speed — the immune clearance is the rate-limiting step, not the laser application frequency. Starting a new session before the debris from the previous one has cleared simply adds to the total ink load in the dermis. Aftercare: treat the area as a superficial wound for 48 hours. Do not pick any scabbing that forms. Keep the area out of direct sun until fully healed. Apply SPF50 to the treated area for the entire inter-session period to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Preparation: do not apply self-tanner to the area 4 weeks before the session. Avoid significant sun exposure. No blood-thinning medications 10 days prior. Shave any dense body hair over a large tattoo area. Contraindications: active skin infection or open wound over the tattoo, pregnancy, active keloid scar history (may stimulate keloid at treatment site), photosensitising medications, Fitzpatrick type VI skin (requires different protocol and lower fluences).