Whether it was a drunken mistake, the name of an ex or just an ugly Chinese symbol you grew out of, if you are considering having an unwanted tattoo removed, there is plenty of choice in London. But beware, it can be expensive and several treatments are usually needed for your skin to fully fade the offending ink.

Can NHS remove tattoos?

A laser tattoo removal uses high-powered pulses of energy to shatter the ink particles deep within your skin. This allows your body’s clever cells to engulf the ink, which is then broken down and flushed out of your system. However, the process is not without risk and it’s best to choose a clinic that uses the latest technology such as our PicoSure laser.

You will need to shave the area before your treatment and wear protective goggles during the session. A local anaesthetic cream may be applied before the handheld device is pressed against the skin to trigger the laser. Most people find the sensation to be quite tolerable, comparing it to the feeling of an elastic band being ‘pinged’ on the skin.

A patch test will also be carried out on the area to ensure you are not prone to any adverse reactions to the laser. Some patients will experience redness, blistering and swelling around the treatment area but these side effects should pass as your skin heals. You should not expose the treated area to sun or other UV rays until it is healed.