Brisbane's Doctor Only Injectables Clinic

07 3350 5447

Laser Tattoo Removal | All Colours, Body, Face & Eyebrow Tattoo Removal

Please note: We are not currently offering this service.

Laser tattoo removal with our specialist – Angela. We have chosen the Picocare laser to remove pigment across all skin types and eyebrow tattoo removal. We decided the Picocare over the Picosure laser for tattoo removal and Q Switch lasers with nanotechnology. The cost of laser tattoo removal is dependent on several factors, primarily the size of the tattoo and the number of sessions required. Call us on 07 3350 5447 for a free consultation or book online. 

Image showing laser for tattoo removal

Laser tattoo removal before and after photo.

Pico laser tattoo removal

*Results are individual

*Results are individual

Diagram of pico laser tattoo removal process.

Pico laser tattoo removal process.

Please note: We are not currently offering this service.

What is involved in Laser Tattoo Removal?

The first step is to come in for a free consultation with our laser specialist Angela.

  • In the initial free appointment, they will go over what is involved before, during and after laser removal sessions.
  • Discuss the treatment course, with an estimation of the number of sessions, with the Kirby-Desai Scale guide and aftercare instructions.
  • Cryo-cooler or Zimmer is used before, during and after treatment.
  • Aftercare packs & supplements are available to speed healing.

Laser Tattoo Removal Process.

Laser tattoo removal takes several sessions to fade the pigment. The treatment course depends on how old the tattoo is, whether professional or amateur, the colours, and your skin type.  The use of numbing cream before treatment and even aftercare and the healing process impacts each laser session’s activity. Ergo how many treatments do you require? After each session, there is a gradual fading of tattoo pigment, which can also vary between individuals.

  • Generally, 3- 10 or more treatments are required, depending on several factors.
  • We sell our treatments in packages to help with the cost of treatment.
  • Minimum of six weeks between treatments for gradual fading, but sometimes it is best to leave it for 8 -12 weeks between treatments.

Laser Tattoo Removal Cost

The removal price per session is $220 up to $660 for a full a4 size tattoo. This varies according to the size of your tattoo. The overall cost is determined by the number of treatments required times the cost per treatment.

Though it is challenging to be entirely accurate, utilising the Kirby-Desai scale allows a closer estimate of the number of sessions that may be required. The emphasis is on an estimate, as the Kirby-Desai scale is 80% accurate. See the complete calculation below.

How does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?

Laser tattoo removal uses wavelengths of light to shatter tattoo ink. Then, phagocytes and your lymphatic system reabsorb the broken ink. Q-switch lasers’ invention allowed ultrashort (nanosecond) bursts of light to remove tattoo ink and skin pigmentation safely. The Picosure laser was the first picosecond laser. However, Picosure lasers advanced when second-generation lasers Picocare and Picoplus came onto the market.

Call us on 07 3350 5447 for a free consultation or book online. 

Picocare vs Picosure Laser

  1. Picocare delivers both nanosecond and picosecond light pulses. Therefore, the best outcome for tattoo ink treatment is to use nanosecond and picosecond light pulses. Unlike the first Picosure laser, Picocare can deliver both types of light pulses. Thus, improving the laser removal outcomes.
  2. Picocare laser has four wavelengths to treat all tattoo ink colours. (532nm, 1064nm, 595nm, 660nm) Picosure laser has only 2. (755 nm, 532 nm)
  3. The Picocare is a more powerful laser. 1064 nm wavelength peak power 1.33 gw vs Picosure laser 0.36gw for the 755nm wavelength.
  4. Picosecond lasers are reportedly less painful than nanosecond lasers.

So, although the Picosure laser was marketed as the ultimate machine for treating tattoos, it fell short of these promises.  However, it proved to be an exceptionally effective laser for e melasma and treating darker skin types.

Kirby-Desai Scale for Laser Tattoo Removal

The Kirby-Desai scale arose out of a study conducted in 2009 and concluded the six main factors determining how many sessions would be required for effective laser tattoo removal.

The factors are:
1. Patient skin type 1-6. With fairer skin types requiring fewer sessions. The risks to darker skin types mean that the treatment protocols have to be dialled down. This is partially addressed by the Picosure laser, which produces less heat and can use more effective treatment settings.
2. Location of the Tattoo: 1-5 With tattoos closer to the heart requiring fewer treatments.
3. Colours of Ink: 1-4. Each colour in the tattoo requires a different wavelength to remove. Black is the easiest as it absorbs every wavelength.
4. Amount of Ink 1-4 — Amateur tattoos generally have less ink, placed more superficially.
5. Scarring/ Tissue change. 0-5 Sometimes, tattoo application can cause scarring or tissue change and the worse this is, the more tattoo removal sessions required.
6. Layering/ Cover-ups. 0-2. Sometimes people have attempted to conceal previous tattoos by covering them with a new tattoo. If this happens generally, the more recent tattoo has more ink and must be removed first before the old tattoo removal.