To best understand professional laser tattoo removal, we first need to understand tattoos through a brief discussion of the science behind them. When a person receives a tattoo, the tattoo artist creates thousands of minuscule injection sites to inject inks just underneath the outermost skin layer, usually at a depth of 1-2mm. Blood cells work to remove foreign invaders in our bodies by “swallowing” them and carrying them to our livers to be processed and flushed. Just as we cannot eat an entire watermelon in one bite, no matter how much we enjoy watermelon, our blood cells cannot eat a larger foreign invader without help. Tattoo removal lasers are incredibly powerful devices capable of emitting extremely powerful bursts of light energy. Were these bursts not controlled, they could burn us. However the ones used in tattoo removals are only emitted for billionths or even trillionths of a second. In the hands of a trained provider, tattoo removal lasers work by literally shattering the ink particles into smaller pieces our cells can envelop for removal. Through a series of laser sessions, we are able to continue breaking down the larger ink particles into progressively smaller sizes for removal. All of our bodies are different. In addition, some tattoos take longer than others to remove. We will discuss why below.
Who is a good candidate and why tattoos vary in removal time
To put it succinctly, anybody who has a tattoo they no longer want is a good candidate for laser tattoo removal. Close to 45 million individuals in the United States have a tattoo. Statistics show the overwhelming majority of people get tattoos between the ages of 18 to 25 years old. The average age for tattoo removal is just 4 years older at 29. As we all know, many of the decisions we make in our youth are not the same ones we would make in our later years. Everybody changes over time. While your reasons for seeking to have a tattoo removed are personal to you, there are some common culprits we see in our office. These include: changes in individual attitudes and styles, breakups, concerns about workforce issues and fading of the tattoo itself. The majority of our laser tattoo removal patients are from Lynnwood, Bellevue, Kirkland and Tacoma.
Costs and factors that affect pricing
The exact cost of a laser tattoo removal depends on many different factors. As a result, exact costs can be difficult to predict, though we have provided a pricing mockup at the bottom of this page. Ultimately, your costs will depend on the size of your tattoo and the number of treatment sessions. The number of treatments required for removal. The size of the tattoo. The depth of the ink. The colors of the tattoo. The age of the tattoo. The composition of the ink itself. Your body’s overall health.
Safety, efficacy, and what to expect during treatment
Laser tattoo removal at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery is a very safe procedure. Lasers have undergone decades of research on their safety and efficacy. Furthermore, the FDA has approved the use of certain lasers to remove tattoos. We discussed above how lasers emit extremely powerful bursts of energy, but only for a very brief period of time. Because we use such quick bursts from the laser, our patients are not burned. Many patients report a feeling similar to the original tattoo, best described as a burning sensation at the treatment site. Many individuals have the procedure performed without the use of any numbing agents. Your safety should be your primary concern when seeking to have a tattoo removed. While there are at-home tattoo removal devices on the market, these are not required to undergo any sort of quality control. Tattoo removal creams may contain ingredients that cause permanent damage. We utilize the best tattoo removal lasers on the market. As discussed above, lasers use focused beams to target and destroy the individual ink molecules, so they can be permanently flushed from your body. It is the best medically-tested method of permanent tattoo removal available.
Immediately after your session, you may notice a grayish appearance at the treatment site. This is not any sort of disfigurement or scarring. Rather, it is caused by the formation of tiny gas bubbles from the cells’ exposure to the high energy beam. Patients who do experience minor side effects report them as a slight burning sensation, swelling, redness and minor blistering for the first week or so. Keeping the treatment area covered with sterile bandages and protected with a thin layer of antibiotic ointment for the first week. You may resume showering 2 hours after treatment, but avoid water pressure directly to the treatment site.
Who performs the procedure and what credentials they have
Laser tattoo removal is performed by licensed medical professionals in reputable clinics. At LaserAway Kirkland, for example, the clinic emphasizes that every treatment is performed by a licensed medical professional-a registered nurse (RN), nurse practitioner (NP), or physician assistant (PA)-who's completed one of the most rigorous and comprehensive training programs in aesthetic dermatology. The practice highlights a free consultation with treatment specialists to tailor a plan and explain what to expect from the procedure, including the number of sessions and potential outcomes.
What to know about the Kirkland options and nearby providers
Conveniently located on 120th Ave NE, LaserAway Kirkland is described as Kirkland's destination for advanced Laser Tattoo Removal. Northwest Face & Body in Kirkland is another option, with pricing around $99 per business card size area per session, financing partnerships, and a focus on safety and provider training. Northwest Face & Body emphasizes master estheticians who are trained in laser procedures and offer a range of services beyond tattoo removal, including laser hair removal and microneedling. Providers stress the importance of consultations to determine candidate suitability and the best treatment plan.
Treatment process and aftercare
To start a laser tattoo removal session, a master esthetician will disinfect the tattoo and surrounding area, offer topical numbing cream, and then perform the treatment with quick laser pulses delivered just above the tattoo. The duration depends on tattoo size, ranging from ten minutes to over an hour. Aftercare typically includes gentle bandaging, avoiding sweating, avoiding swimming, wearing sunscreen, and following any specific aftercare instructions given by the clinician. Some patients may experience temporary redness, swelling, or mild blistering, which usually resolves within a week or two.
Future of tattoo removal technology
Newer lasers, including picosecond and Q-switch devices, offer shorter energy pulses and improved ability to target a wide range of colors while preserving surrounding skin. PicoSure by Cynosure is cited as an example, using picosecond pulses to break down pigment more efficiently and accommodate stubborn colors, contributing to more complete removals with potentially fewer sessions.
Additional considerations and FAQs
Can all tattoos be removed? Black inks are typically easiest to remove because they absorb a broad range of wavelengths. Lighter blues and greens can be more challenging, sometimes requiring different lasers. Risks include redness, swelling, and minor post-treatment changes in pigmentation or rare scarring. Most patients describe pain as bearable and comparable to getting a tattoo, often mitigated with anesthetic options. There is usually a waiting period after getting a tattoo before removal to allow healing, commonly around six months.
It is common to fade a tattoo to prepare for a cover-up or to partially remove it to create a canvas for a new design. The number of sessions depends on tattoo size, color, age, location, and ink depth, as well as the patient’s skin type and overall health. Treatments are typically scheduled every 6 to 8 weeks to allow healing between sessions.
Practical guidance for Kirkland residents
If you live in Kirkland and are ready to begin your journey toward clearer skin or the removal of an unwanted tattoo, Serenity Rejuvenation Center and similar clinics offer advanced tattoo removal options with physician-led care. They emphasize safety, customized treatment plans, and the use of PicoSure-like technologies to handle a broad color range. A consultation helps determine candidacy, number of sessions, and a tailored plan aligned with your goals.
- Schedule a free consultation with a treatment specialist to discuss goals and assess tattoo details.
- Discuss pre-care instructions and what to expect during treatments, including pain management options.
- Follow aftercare instructions strictly to minimize side effects and optimize results.
- Plan for multiple sessions as indicated by tattoo size, color, and age.
The following image illustrates a typical Kirkland clinic environment and its approach to tattoo removal, emphasizing safety and patient-centered care.
HOW TO: Remove A Tattoo With Laser Tattoo Removal | London
A short overview video demonstrating how modern laser tattoo removal devices target ink particles and what patients can expect during a session.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Color removal ease | Black inks easiest; blues/greens more challenging |
| Session spacing | Typically 6-8 weeks between sessions |
| Common side effects | Redness, swelling, mild blistering; rare scarring |
| Ideal candidate | Anyone with unwanted tattoo seeking permanent removal |