Concierge dermatology · UK
Tattoo removal - picosecond and Q-switched, done properly.
Laser tattoo removal on modern picosecond and Q-switched Nd:YAG platforms, overseen by a consultant dermatologist. Honest session counts, realistic expectations and CQC-registered clinics.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A consultant dermatologist or CQC-registered laser clinic
A named clinician who does tattoo removal every week, on a picosecond or Q-switched Nd:YAG platform - not a high-street counter with a rented machine.
- 02
A realistic session plan up front
How many sessions, at what interval, at what price. Amateur tattoos in 4–6, professional black in 8–12, coloured pieces sometimes 15 or more.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so whether picosecond, Q-switched, or scar-friendly fading fits you best is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private tattoo removal costs in the UK.
Indicative per-session ranges across our partner laser clinics. Send a photo and we quote a firm figure for your specific piece.
In short
A medium tattoo in our network: £120–£220 per session, over 8–12 sessions.
| Item | Indicative range | Typical duration | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation and patch test | Free–£150 | 30–45 min | Same visit |
| Small tattoo (up to 5 cm) | £80–£150 per session | 10–15 min | Every 6–8 weeks |
| Medium tattoo (5–10 cm) | £120–£220 per session | 15–25 min | Every 6–8 weeks |
| Large tattoo (10–20 cm) | £180–£300 per session | 25–40 min | Every 6–8 weeks |
| Extra-large or full sleeve (per session) | £250–£350 | 40–60 min | Every 6–8 weeks |
| Full course package (8–12 sessions) | £800–£3,500 total | - | Staged over 12–18 months |
| Cosmetic tattoo removal (brow, lip) | £150–£350 per session | 15–30 min | Every 6–8 weeks |
Prices vary by clinic, by the laser platform (picosecond is more expensive per session but often needs fewer visits), and by whether you buy a course package upfront. We come back with a firm per-session and total figure within one working day.
The problem
The right platform, the right number of sessions, and honest expectations.
Tattoo removal is where high-street aesthetics under-delivers - old equipment, unrealistic session counts and no patch test. We fix all three before you start.
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Modern lasers, not first-generation kit
Picosecond platforms and modern Q-switched Nd:YAG shatter pigment more efficiently. Old machines mean more sessions, more discomfort, more scarring risk.
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A realistic session plan up front
No one clears a professional tattoo in three sessions. We tell you upfront whether it is 6, 12 or 15, so you can budget in cash and time.
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Patch test, especially for colour and cosmetic ink
Iron-oxide brow and lip pigment can darken paradoxically. We patch-test at consultation, not after the first pulse.
The journey
From enquiry to clear skin - what happens, in order.
One clinic and one clinician from first message through consultation, sessions and aftercare.
Phase 1 · Before treatment
Consult, patch test, plan
Phase 2 · Sessions
Laser and aftercare
Phase 3 · After
Fade, review, next session
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Location, size, age of the tattoo, colours, whether it is amateur or professional, and any prior treatments.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: the right platform (picosecond or Q-switched), an estimated session count and an indicative price per session.
- 03
Before
Consultation and patch test
Face-to-face or video consult with the treating clinician. Skin type (Fitzpatrick), medical history, expectations and a small patch test to confirm safety.
- 04
Before
Photography and consent
Standardised photos, written consent, aftercare pack and a plan agreed. Sun exposure, tanning and blood thinners are covered.
- 05
On the day
Treatment session
Numbing cream 30 minutes beforehand. Laser session 10–40 minutes depending on size. Immediate white frosting is normal - cooled and dressed after.
- 06
On the day
Aftercare
Cool, moisturise, avoid sun, no swimming or gym for 48 hours. Some redness, blistering and mild scabbing over 1–2 weeks. Detailed pack given.
- 07
After
Interval, review, next session
Six to eight weeks between sessions - the pigment continues to fade in that time. Review photos each visit and adjust the plan if fading is slower than expected.
Typical end-to-end: 12–18 months to full clearance. Sessions every 6–8 weeks.
When it helps
When laser tattoo removal is the right step.
The clinical pictures we see most, plus the red flag that means dermatology review rather than a session booking.
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Regretted amateur tattoo
Ink placed unevenly at variable depth. Often fades in fewer sessions than professional work - 4–6 is typical.
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Professional black tattoo
Dense, deeply-placed black ink. Excellent target for Q-switched Nd:YAG at 1064 nm and picosecond lasers - 8–12 sessions.
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Coloured tattoo
Red, green, blue and yellow all need different wavelengths. Picosecond platforms handle colour best. Green and light blue can be slowest.
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Cosmetic tattoo (brow, lip liner, eyeliner)
Small area but pigment can behave unpredictably - some contain iron oxide that darkens after the first pulse. Test patch is essential.
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Faded or partly-removed tattoo
Previous laser sessions elsewhere that stalled. We restart with photos, a new plan and, often, a different platform.
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Preparation for a cover-up
Fading the existing tattoo to let a tattoo artist ink a cover-up that is smaller and cleaner. Usually 3–6 sessions rather than full removal.
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Employment or professional need
Hands, neck or face tattoos affecting work or a career move. Prioritised sessions and privacy respected.
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Red flag: skin change in the tattoo
New lump, colour change, ulceration, itch or bleeding within a tattoo needs dermatology review - a skin cancer within a tattoo, not a laser plan.
Laser options
Wavelength and pulse width both matter - here is the map.
What each platform offers - Q-switched Nd:YAG, picosecond, alexandrite and combined protocols.
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Q-switched Nd:YAG (1064 nm)
The classic workhorse for black and dark blue ink. Nanosecond pulses shatter pigment for the immune system to clear. Reliable, well-tolerated, widely available.
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Q-switched Nd:YAG (532 nm)
The frequency-doubled beam for red, orange and pink. Not suitable for darker skin types at high fluence - used with caution and lower settings.
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Picosecond lasers (PicoWay, PicoSure)
Trillionth-of-a-second pulses. More efficient shattering of pigment, faster clearance, better for colour and stubborn ink. Often fewer sessions.
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Q-switched alexandrite (755 nm)
Best for green and light-blue pigment. Often combined with 1064 nm and 532 nm to cover all colours.
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Ruby laser (694 nm)
Historic option for dark blue and green. Less common now - picosecond platforms have largely replaced it.
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Fractional laser as adjunct
Fractional CO2 or Er:YAG used sparingly alongside removal to accelerate clearance for stubborn areas. Higher risk of scarring, used selectively.
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R20 or R0 same-session protocols
Repeated passes in one session separated by 20 minutes or with perfluorodecalin patches. Faster clearance for the motivated patient, at higher discomfort.
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Cover-up fading
Partial removal to let a tattoo artist ink over the top. Usually 3–6 sessions rather than full removal. Coordinated with the artist.
Our vetted UK network
A small panel of laser clinics, we picked them.
Consultant-overseen and CQC-registered laser clinics across London and the major UK cities. Introductions are made privately, once we understand your tattoo.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinic in our network.
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Consultant dermatologist oversight or a CQC-registered laser clinic with certified operators
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Modern picosecond and Q-switched platforms - not first-generation equipment
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Patch testing before every new patient and photography at every visit
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Written aftercare, complications pathway and honest expectations set at consultation
Safety and aftercare
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
Modern laser tattoo removal is safe when done properly. The things worth planning are aftercare, sun protection and realistic session counts.
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Awake, with numbing cream
Sessions are done awake with topical anaesthetic 30 minutes beforehand. Some clinics offer cryo-cooling or air-cooling. A rubber-band snap is the usual sensation.
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Blistering, scabbing, redness
Immediate white frosting is expected. Redness for a few days, scabs over 1–2 weeks, occasional blisters. Do not pick - scarring risk goes up if you do.
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Pigmentation changes
Temporary lightening (hypopigmentation) or darkening (hyperpigmentation) of the treated skin in around 5–10 percent. Usually resolves over months. Higher risk in darker skin types.
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Scarring
Uncommon with correct settings - around 1–2 percent overall. Higher if picked, in patients with keloid tendency, or if pushed too hard. Test patch reduces risk.
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Pigment darkening (cosmetic tattoos)
Iron-oxide-based brow and lip pigments can darken paradoxically after the first pulse. Test patch is mandatory. Sometimes a fractional adjunct is safer.
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Sun and tanning
No sunbeds and no fake tan for 4 weeks before and after each session. Sun-exposed tattoos need SPF 50. Ignore this and you double the pigmentation risk.
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Not for the pregnant, and caution in immune suppression
We do not treat during pregnancy. Immune suppression, active infection at the site and photosensitising medicines are reviewed carefully before booking.
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How complete removal is
70–90 percent of professional tattoos clear well with 8–12 sessions on modern platforms. A ghost image can remain in some cases. Cover-up fading needs fewer sessions.
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Red flags after a session
Spreading redness, fever, pus, severe blistering or unusual pain need a same-week review - not the next scheduled session.
Reading your session note
Your session note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever platform was used - picosecond or Q-switched - the note the clinician gives you after each session keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Aftercare is where results are won or lost - we spell it out simply.
If you would like us to talk you through the session note and the aftercare plan before your next visit, just ask.
- 01 Header
Tattoo details, platform and session
Location, size, ink type, session number in the course, laser platform and wavelengths used.
- 02 Technique
Settings and passes
Fluence, spot size, number of passes, and whether topical anaesthesia or cooling was used.
- 03 Findings
Response and skin reaction
Degree of fading since the previous session, any pigmentation change, scarring risk score.
- 04 Impression
Aftercare and next session
Read this first: aftercare instructions, sun protection, the next session date and any change of plan.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cosmetic tattoo removal is usually self-pay - most UK insurers do not cover it. Exceptional-circumstance funding may apply for medical or safeguarding reasons. We are transparent about this from the outset.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about tattoo removal.
Quick answers on sessions, platforms, pain, scarring and cost.
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How many sessions does it take to remove a tattoo?
Amateur tattoos usually clear in 4–6 sessions. Professional black tattoos typically need 8–12 sessions on modern platforms. Coloured tattoos with green, light blue and yellow ink often need 12–15 sessions or more. Sessions are 6–8 weeks apart, so a full course usually spans 12–18 months.
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What is the difference between Q-switched and picosecond lasers?
Q-switched lasers fire nanosecond pulses; picosecond lasers fire trillionth-of-a-second pulses. Picosecond platforms shatter ink more efficiently, clear coloured pigment better and often need fewer sessions. Q-switched Nd:YAG at 1064 nm is still excellent for black ink and is more widely available.
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Does tattoo removal hurt?
It is uncomfortable but tolerable with topical numbing cream applied 30 minutes beforehand and modern cooling. The sensation is often described as a rubber band snapping against the skin, or hot bacon fat. Most sessions last 10–40 minutes and the pain fades within minutes of the last pulse.
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Will it scar?
Serious scarring is uncommon - around 1–2 percent with correct settings on modern platforms. Temporary pigmentation changes are more common and usually settle over a few months. The main risks are picking scabs, sun exposure between sessions, and keloid-prone skin - all things a good clinic will screen for at consultation.
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Is tattoo removal available on the NHS?
Rarely. Cosmetic tattoo removal is not funded. The NHS may consider removal in exceptional circumstances - for instance, offensive or gang-related tattoos affecting mental health, or a skin cancer within a tattoo needing dermatology care. For everyone else, private is the only route.
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How much does tattoo removal cost privately in the UK?
Roughly £80–£150 per session for small tattoos, £120–£220 for medium, £180–£300 for large, and £250–£350 for extra-large or full sleeves. A full 8–12 session course runs £800–£3,500 in total. Cosmetic (brow, lip) tattoo removal is £150–£350 per session. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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