Is Laser Tattoo Removal Painful? What to Expect
The word laser makes people think of burns, but that is a myth in tattoo removal. Most customers feel a light tingling. Here is what to expect before, during and after a session.
First, a question of pigment
Black or full of colour, whatever the size of your tattoo, it was made with ink and so it contains pigment. The more pigment sits in your dermis, the higher the number of laser sessions needed for it to fade. At Ray studios we use the latest generation of lasers: picosecond lasers!
Contrary to what you might think, lasers today emit pulses of a very short duration (nanosecond), which makes them effective at fragmenting the pigment in your tattoo. This breaking up creates tiny openings down to the dermis, allowing the exposed ink to be cleared. This process speeds up the fading of the ink and is likely to help reduce the number of tattoo removal sessions. The sensation you feel is therefore a light tingling with each pulse, as the laser shatters the tattoo pigment.
In short: no burning sensation. The effects on the skin after your tattoo removal session are a temporary whitening of the tattoo and slight swelling or redness caused by the thermal effect of the laser. Discomfort naturally varies depending on the density of the tattoo and on how sensitive you are as an individual. That is why at Ray studios we make sure to follow up with each of our customers before and after the session. Our skin therapists are by your side before, during and after your sessions to guide you on the aftercare programme to follow.
Before your session at Ray studios
At Ray studios, we ask every customer to apply EMLA numbing cream to the area to be treated 1 hour before the session and to cover it with cling film. The cream should be applied to skin that has been washed and dried. The area should then be covered with cling film so that the active ingredients can work. It generally takes one hour before the numbing effect sets in. It is therefore very important not to forget this step before your laser session.
During your session at Ray studios
The soothing effects of cold have been known for centuries, and we want our customers' sessions to run in the best possible conditions. That is why at Ray studios our skin therapists use a ZIMMER cryotherapy unit, which provides a pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effect: cold air is blown at -30°C onto the area being treated. This numbing effect eases the tingling sensation. In short, this machine directs a continuous jet of cold air onto the area being treated and numbs it.
After your session at Ray studios
Our skin therapists pay close attention to how you feel and give you all the guidance you need to protect your skin so that it heals properly. Applying the cream, the dressing, the things to avoid, we look after you so that you can have a pleasant and safe experience while saying goodbye to your tattoo. Looking after your skin between tattoo removal sessions is essential to avoid unpleasant surprises and unwanted effects.
Every tattoo is different
What you also need to take into account is the size of the tattoo and where it sits. If your tattoo is on a part of the body where the skin is thin, you will feel more as the laser passes over it than if it were on an area where the skin is thicker. In short, everyone has their own sensitivity to discomfort, but at Ray studios we do everything we can to ease any unpleasant sensation. Individual results vary.
Testimonials
I was really afraid of what laser tattoo removal would feel like. The skin therapist explained everything and put me at ease, which is what pushed me to go ahead, and I am happy with the result!
Léa, 32
The care and attention at Ray studios is genuinely there! Getting my tattoo done hurt, so I was dreading the removal. The cryotherapy system used to numb the area really does its job during the sessions!
Marwan, 27
FAQ
Is laser tattoo removal painful?
Laser tattoo removal may cause a tingling or snapping sensation with each pulse, due to the fragmentation of pigments beneath the skin. However, it is not a burn, and the discomfort is generally manageable and varies from one individual to another. Sensitivity also depends on the area of the body being treated and the density of the tattoo. At Ray studios, everything is done to minimize discomfort: a topical anesthetic cream (EMLA) is applied beforehand, and a Zimmer cryotherapy system cools the area to around –30°C during the session.
How should you prepare before a tattoo removal session?
To limit pain during the session, we recommend applying EMLA anaesthetic cream one hour beforehand, on clean, dry skin, then covering the area with plastic film. This step allows the anaesthetic agents to work effectively. Following this step significantly improves your comfort during the laser treatment.
What aftercare should be applied after a tattoo removal session?
After each session, the skin may show temporary whitening, slight redness or minor swelling. These effects are normal and disappear quickly. Ray studios provides you with a personalised care protocol, including a repairing cream and a dressing. Following these recommendations is essential to avoid side effects and ensure proper healing between sessions.
Can pain be reduced during laser tattoo removal?
Yes, at Ray studios, pain is reduced using a medical cryotherapy device. The Zimmer device delivers cold air at -30°C throughout the treatment, providing an immediate anaesthetic effect. Combined with EMLA cream, this method ensures a more comfortable experience, even on sensitive areas such as the wrists, ankles or ribs.
