Can laser tattoo removal erase tattoos of any colour?

How tattoo removal techniques have evolved to treat every colour

Recent progress in laser technology has widened the range of colours that can be treated. Today, most tattoo colours can be faded using advanced technology such as the picosecond laser used at Ray studios. Dark colours respond with a high degree of efficiency, while lighter shades sometimes need a greater number of sessions. Individual results vary.

Treatment settings according to colour

Each colour reacts differently to the laser. Tattoo removal works by fragmenting the ink pigments into tiny particles, which are then eliminated naturally by the body. The laser wavelength is chosen according to the colour of the ink and the skin.

At Ray studios we use the PicoWay® laser, one of the most capable for treating colour thanks to its four dedicated wavelengths:

• 1064 nm: for dark colours such as black, brown, dark blue and purple.
• 785 nm: for blue and green with a yellow undertone.
• 730 nm: for cooler blues and greens.
• 532 nm: for warm colours, in particular red, pink and orange.

With these wavelengths, the PicoWay® targets the pigments of each colour precisely in order to break them down effectively. Some shades such as yellow or white remain more difficult to treat, as their low absorption of the laser makes the fading process more complicated.

What to expect for each colour

Dark colours such as black, brown and red are the easiest to remove, because they absorb the laser energy well. Fully black tattoos, for example, tend to give very good results in a smaller number of sessions. Lighter shades usually call for a longer course of treatment: colours such as blue and green need more sessions, while white currently cannot be faded completely. Individual results vary.

Please note: a coloured tattoo is treated more quickly and more effectively when the colour contrasts well with the skin tone. For example, darker skin may require a higher number of sessions to fade light tattoos.

How many sessions for each type of colour?

Tattoo removal sessions should be spaced around eight weeks apart to allow the body to clear the pigments. Depending on the colours present in the tattoo, additional sessions may be needed, as lighter shades often require more laser passes.

Good to know: the length of a session can also vary with the size of the tattoo and the number of colours, as large or multicoloured areas often take more time.

Risks associated with removing coloured tattoos

In the controlled environment of Ray studios, with trained skin therapists and correct laser settings, risks are kept to a minimum. Coloured tattoos do not carry a higher risk of side effects than black tattoos. Redness or scabbing can appear in the days following treatment, but these settle when you follow the recommended aftercare. Your skin therapist will recommend a soothing cream and give you all the guidance you need to support healing.

Consultation and personalised support at Ray studios

Before starting treatment, the skin therapist assesses the tattoo and reviews the colours and the skin type in order to personalise the protocol. Drawing on a statistical profile based on similar cases, we produce a clear diagnosis based on the colours and the specific features of your tattoo.

In short, advances in laser technology make it possible to treat the great majority of colours, although dark colours remain easier to fade. To get the best possible outcome, trained skin therapists, correct laser settings and consistent follow-up are essential, and every treatment is unique to the colours and the skin type of the customer.

Consultation and Personalised Support at Ray studios

Tattoo removal is a personalised process that varies with the colours in the tattoo, the depth of the pigments and the customer's skin type. At Ray studios, every customer receives a personalised assessment at their initial consultation. This profile, based on statistical data from similar cases, allows us to build a made to measure treatment protocol.

At your initial consultation we also explain the Full Remove plan, which gives you unlimited sessions at a single fixed price. Each session comes with specific advice from your skin therapist on aftercare, to support healing as well as possible.