# Laser Tattoo Removal Guides | Cloak & Dagger Tattoo Removal > Straight answers on how laser tattoo removal works, what it costs, how many sessions it takes and what to expect — written by the technicians who do it. URL: https://removal.cloakanddaggerlondon.co.uk/guide/ Guides # Laser Tattoo Removal Guides Straight answers on how laser tattoo removal works, what it costs, how many sessions it takes and what to expect — written by the technicians who do it. ## Tattoo Removal Essentials The essentials: how the laser works, what it costs, whether it hurts and what happens to your skin afterwards. Explainer ### Does Laser Tattoo Removal Hurt? An honest answer: comparable to an elastic band flick, over in seconds per area. Why photoacoustic lasers hurt less than thermal ones, and what cryo-cooling actually does. Read guide [Does Laser Tattoo Removal Hurt? →](/guide/does-laser-tattoo-removal-hurt/) Explainer ### Does Laser Tattoo Removal Leave Scars? Properly performed laser removal does not scar. What actually causes the scarring people fear, plus an honest look at hypopigmentation and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Read guide [Does Laser Tattoo Removal Leave Scars? →](/guide/does-laser-tattoo-removal-leave-scars/) Decision guide ### Fixed-Price vs Pay-Per-Session Tattoo Removal Per-session billing puts the risk on you. Here is how a fixed complete-removal price works, where 3- and 6-session bundles fit, and how 0% APR finance breaks the cost down. Read guide [Fixed-Price vs Pay-Per-Session Tattoo Removal →](/guide/fixed-price-vs-pay-per-session-tattoo-removal/) Explainer ### How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work? The laser shatters ink into fragments your body clears naturally. Here is how photoacoustic shockwaves differ from heat-based lasers, and what happens between sessions. Read guide [How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work? →](/guide/how-does-laser-tattoo-removal-work/) Explainer ### How Many Sessions Does Tattoo Removal Take? An honest range and the variables that drive it — plus why PicoWay clears ink in up to 50% fewer sessions than older lasers, and why session count is a timeline question, not a cost one. Read guide [How Many Sessions Does Tattoo Removal Take? →](/guide/how-many-sessions-does-tattoo-removal-take/) Explainer ### Laser Tattoo Removal on Dark Skin: Is It Safe? Yes, with the right wavelength and settings. Why 1064nm suits melanin-rich skin, what the real risks are, and why being turned away elsewhere usually says more about their laser than your skin. Read guide [Laser Tattoo Removal on Dark Skin: Is It Safe? →](/guide/laser-tattoo-removal-on-dark-skin/) Decision guide ### PicoWay vs PicoSure vs Q-Switched Lasers Pulse width, wavelengths and real performance on blue and green ink compared — plus what 'pico' marketing does and does not guarantee before you book anywhere. Read guide [PicoWay vs PicoSure vs Q-Switched Lasers →](/guide/picoway-vs-picosure-vs-q-switched-lasers/) Explainer ### Removing Green, Blue and Other Stubborn Ink Colours Green and blue are the hard colours, and PicoWay's 532nm/1064nm pair treats them. Which inks clear fast, which genuinely do not, and what to expect on a multi-colour piece. Read guide [Removing Green, Blue and Other Stubborn Ink Colours →](/guide/removing-green-blue-and-other-stubborn-ink-colours/) Explainer ### Tattoo Removal Aftercare and Healing Timeline Frosting, redness, blistering and scabbing explained day by day. What to do, what to avoid, how long the restrictions last and when to contact the studio. Read guide [Tattoo Removal Aftercare and Healing Timeline →](/guide/tattoo-removal-aftercare-and-healing-timeline/) Decision guide ### Your First Consultation and Patch Test What we assess, what the patch test involves, what to bring and how long it takes. It is free, and no treatment or payment is committed on the day. Read guide [Your First Consultation and Patch Test →](/guide/your-first-consultation-and-patch-test/) ## Tattoo Fading for Cover-Ups View the treatment [/tattoo-fading-cover-ups/ →](/tattoo-fading-cover-ups/) Planning a cover-up? These guides cover how much fading you need, how long it takes and how to coordinate with your artist. Explainer ### Fading Old Black and Tribal Tattoos for New Work Solid black and tribal work is dense, but it responds well to laser. What it realistically takes in sessions, how migrated old ink behaves, and what your skin looks like mid-fade. Read guide [Fading Old Black and Tribal Tattoos for New Work →](/guide/fading-old-black-and-tribal-tattoos-for-new-work/) Decision guide ### Full Removal or Fade for a Cover-Up? Sessions, calendar time, cost and final outcome compared side by side — plus why starting with fading never rules out full removal later. Read guide [Full Removal or Fade for a Cover-Up? →](/guide/full-removal-or-fade-for-a-cover-up/) Explainer ### How Faded Does a Tattoo Need to Be Before a Cover-Up? It depends entirely on your new design's darkness and palette. When fading is essential, when you can skip it altogether, and what a blast-over actually looks like a year later. Read guide [How Faded Does a Tattoo Need to Be Before a Cover-Up? →](/guide/how-faded-does-a-tattoo-need-to-be-before-a-cover-up/) Explainer ### How Many Sessions to Fade a Tattoo for a Cover-Up? Fading needs far fewer sessions than full clearance. What drives the count, how long the whole thing takes on a calendar, and when your artist can actually start. Read guide [How Many Sessions to Fade a Tattoo for a Cover-Up? →](/guide/how-many-sessions-to-fade-a-tattoo-for-a-cover-up/) Decision guide ### Working With Your Tattoo Artist on a Fading Plan Why the artist should be consulted before fading starts, how removal and new work get sequenced, and exactly what to bring to your consultation. Read guide [Working With Your Tattoo Artist on a Fading Plan →](/guide/working-with-your-tattoo-artist-on-a-fading-plan/) ## Eyebrow & Cosmetic Tattoo Removal View the treatment [/eyebrow-cosmetic-tattoo-removal/ →](/eyebrow-cosmetic-tattoo-removal/) Microblading, powder brows, permanent eyeliner and lip blush — what removal involves and how it differs from body ink. Explainer ### Is Laser Safe So Close to the Eyes? Yes, with correct shielding and technique. The protective shields we use, why precision spot sizes matter on facial areas, and realistic swelling and downtime. Read guide [Is Laser Safe So Close to the Eyes? →](/guide/is-laser-safe-so-close-to-the-eyes/) Decision guide ### Microblading Removal: What to Expect What a session involves, how the eye shielding works, why brow pigment often clears faster than body ink, and when your brows can be re-tattooed. Read guide [Microblading Removal: What to Expect →](/guide/microblading-removal-what-to-expect/) Decision guide ### Removing vs Correcting Bad Permanent Makeup When colour correction genuinely works, when it buries the problem under more pigment, and why lightening first usually gives the better final brow. Read guide [Removing vs Correcting Bad Permanent Makeup →](/guide/removing-vs-correcting-bad-permanent-makeup/) Explainer ### Why Permanent Makeup Turns Orange, Grey or Blue Iron oxide and titanium dioxide pigments oxidise unevenly, shifting warm tones to orange and cool tones to grey. What causes it, what accelerates it, and what laser can realistically fix. Read guide [Why Permanent Makeup Turns Orange, Grey or Blue →](/guide/why-permanent-makeup-turns-orange-grey-or-blue/) ![](/images/hero/moody-cinematic-interior-of-shoreditch-laser-remov.webp) Free consultation and patch test, no obligation ## Ready to Talk About Your Tattoo? Reading only gets you so far. Bring the tattoo in for a free consultation and patch test and we will give you a fixed price and a realistic session estimate. Get Your Free Estimate [/contact/ →](/contact/) 020 3983 8397 [tel:+442039838397 →](tel:+442039838397) - One fixed price, unlimited sessions - PicoWay picosecond technology - 11-month 0% APR finance