Ways to remove a tattoo: which method should you choose?

The best methods for removing a tattoo

Saying goodbye is never easy. Thankfully, there is no shortage of options for removing your tattoo. Our top three ways to part with it: laser tattoo removal, surgery and the cover-up.

Why is laser tattoo removal the most effective method?

By far the safest and most effective way to erase a tattoo is the laser. Your skin therapist uses it to break the beads of ink under your skin into very small particles. These are then cleared naturally by your body. Two lasers share the market: the Q-Switch and the picosecond.

The Q-Switch laser: a proven method

No, this is not the name of a wizarding sport invented by J.K. Rowling, it really is a laser tattoo removal method. Tested and approved by people in the trade, this "nanosecond" laser has been in use for around twenty years.

Expect between 5 and 15 sessions, spaced every 2 months, for the tattoo to fade away. Full healing is needed between each session, hence the 60 day gap.

While the vast majority of tattoos need fewer than 10 sessions, it really depends on the size of the design, the colours of the pigments used and the quality of the ink.

Budget to plan for: between 150 and 300 € per session.

Worth knowing:

• Because of the high risk of depigmentation, this technique is not suited to tattoo removal on black and dark skin.
• Some colours such as blue, green, yellow and fluorescent shades resist this type of laser.

The picosecond laser: the leading technology

We will not hide it from you, this is our preferred method. Yes, at Ray studios the latest generation picosecond lasers are our magic wands.

As things stand:

• They help reduce the number of sessions needed to complete the treatment, on average 7 to 15 sessions to erase a tattoo. Individual results vary.
• They are also less invasive and less painful than the Q-Switch.
• They limit the risk of side effects such as burns and scarring.
• They work on different skin types, including darker skin, and on all ink colours.

In short, they are the most effective lasers on the market.

Budget to plan for: with the Full Remove plan you get unlimited sessions at a single fixed price. You can look at our tattoo removal pricing.

Worth knowing: the picosecond laser is an effective method for removing any type of permanent make-up, in particular eyebrow tattoo removal

Surgery: a drastic solution for small tattoos

Rest assured, nobody here will push you onto an operating table on a whim. Certain conditions have to be met.

First, your tattoo has to be small and the area soft and fleshy so that the skin can be pulled across to cover the part that is removed. Second, this is no place for a trainee. The procedure takes place with a qualified surgeon and under local anaesthetic, as only a qualified surgeon can judge whether surgical removal makes sense and estimate the size and visibility of the scar.

Worth knowing: even when this type of procedure is carried out safely and in good conditions, it may leave a scar wider than the tattoo itself.

The cover-up: a creative alternative to tattoo removal

If you are the creative type and you prefer creating something new to making something disappear, the cover-up may be the option to consider. Your new tattoo still has to work on the area being covered. If the tattoo underneath the cover-up is very dark, it will be harder to mask.

That is where laser tattoo removal comes in. The laser is used to fade the original design and make the cover-up easier to draw. A few sessions are enough to soften the dark areas.

Worth knowing: laser tattoo removal is also very effective for reworking a tattoo.

Methods to avoid when removing a tattoo

We know from experience that a few chancers will try to take advantage of your good faith by speaking to your fears and to your wallet. So it is our duty to warn you about these lactic sirens, these Pinocchios of the web and the handmade failed remedies you may come across.

Lactic acid tattoo removal: high risks for little result

We do not enjoy running others down, but we like it even less when your health is put at risk.

Some centres promote "laser free tattoo removal", known as lactic acid or chemical tattoo removal. The wording suggests the technique is less invasive or safer, but it is nothing of the sort. It involves injecting acid into the dermis to produce a tissue reaction and push the pigments out through the scabs formed while healing. Results can sometimes be convincing, but the technique remains less effective than using a laser.

Above all, the method is very dangerous because of its side effects: inflammation, blisters, unsightly scars and even necrosis can appear after a session of chemical tattoo removal.

Our advice: keep your distance.

Tattoo removal creams: ineffective and dangerous

This will come as no surprise: be wary of internet charlatans. At Ray studios we are not afraid to say it, tattoo removal creams sold only online are misleading. These products have not been through any serious testing, they are never backed by serious research and they generally have one effect only: lightening the skin. In short, these creams are useless at best and dangerous at worst because of the chemical agents they contain. Severe allergic reactions are one of the most common side effects.

​Our advice: avoid completely.

"Home-made" methods: recipes that do not work and carry risks

We cannot say it often enough: tattoo removal belongs with trained skin therapists, using the correct laser settings in a controlled environment. Any other method suggested by someone without that training and equipment should be avoided.

The "home-made" methods pushed on websites by unscrupulous authors, such as lemon juice and honey, hydrogen peroxide, bicarbonate of soda or scrubs, will bring you no benefit at all. They do not work. Worse, these recipes can cause painful side effects and even allergic reactions.

Our advice: do not waste your time, put your trust in trained skin therapists.

What to know before choosing a method for removing a tattoo

Erasing a tattoo is a big decision that calls for thought and preparation. Here are the key things to know before you start.

Costs and number of sessions to plan for

The total cost of removing a tattoo depends on the method chosen, the size of the tattoo, its colours and how deep the pigments sit.

• Laser tattoo removal: at Ray studios this is covered by the Full Remove plan, unlimited sessions at a single fixed price, with a total of 5 to 15 sessions typically needed for satisfying results. The picosecond laser, faster and less invasive, can slightly reduce the number of sessions. Individual results vary.
• Surgery: often a more expensive option, generally reserved for small tattoos, starting from 1 000 € depending on the scale of the procedure.
• Cover-up: if you go for a cover-up, the cost will depend on the skill and the rates of your tattoo artist.

Each laser tattoo removal session needs a 2 month healing period before the treatment continues. This means the full process can run over several months, or even years, depending on the method.

Precautions before starting tattoo removal

1. Book an initial consultation: a Ray studios skin therapist will assess your skin, the type of tattoo and what results are possible.
2. Check the condition of your skin: some methods, such as the Q-Switch laser, do not suit sensitive or darker skin because of the risk of depigmentation.
3. Avoid "do it yourself" treatments: homemade methods can cause infections, permanent scarring or allergic reactions

Cover from health insurance

It is worth noting that tattoo removal is treated as a cosmetic treatment and is therefore not covered by public health cover. Most private health insurers do not offer any refund for this type of treatment either. Before you start, check with your insurer to see whether any partial contribution is possible.

Conclusion: which method should you choose to remove a tattoo?

There is no miracle method that is fast, completely painless and cheap for saying goodbye to your tattoo. It is a process that takes time, some money and above all good support.

That is why it is important to get information from a skin therapist. They can tell you how many sessions are likely to be needed and what to budget before you begin. If you are thinking about tattoo removal in Paris, Lyon or Brussels, you can come and see us and ask all your questions. Our door is always open.

One last small detail, and it does matter. As tattoo removal is treated as a purely cosmetic treatment, it is not covered by public health cover. Most private health insurers do not contribute to your sessions either, but it costs nothing to ask and be sure.