HOW REMOVAL WORKS

Diagram illustrating laser tattoo removal process targeting and breaking down ink particles.

Every tattoo is unique. Before treatment, we evaluate several factors, including:

Tattoo size
Ink colors
Tattoo age
Professional or amateur application
Skin type
Tattoo location
Previous removal attempts
Your treatment goals

This allows us to develop a personalized treatment plan and provide a realistic estimate of the number of sessions you may need. During your treatment, carefully selected laser energy passes safely through the outer layer of your skin and specifically targets the tattoo pigment beneath the surface.

Different wavelengths of light target different ink colors. Because each color absorbs light differently, certain colors may respond faster than others.

Laser tattoo removal in progress on skin with blue gloves handling devices.

The laser delivers extremely short, high-energy pulses that shatter the tattoo pigment into much smaller particles.

Think of it like breaking a large rock into tiny pieces.

The laser doesn't remove the ink itself, it simply makes the particles small enough for your body's natural immune system to begin clearing them away. After your treatment, your immune system begins carrying away the fragmented ink particles through your body's natural healing process.

This is why tattoo removal continues even after you've left the office.

Many clients notice their tattoo fading for several weeks following each treatment.

Diagram of tattoo needle injecting pigment into skin layers.

Your skin needs time to recover, and your body needs time to remove as much fragmented ink as possible.

For this reason, treatments are typically spaced several weeks apart.

Proper healing between sessions often produces better long-term results than treating too frequently. Every session removes additional pigment.

Some tattoos respond quickly, while others require additional treatments.

We use the Kirby-Desai Scale, a widely recognized tattoo-removal assessment tool, to help estimate the number of treatments that may be needed. The scale considers several factors that can influence removal, including skin type, tattoo location, ink color and density, scarring or tissue changes, and the amount of ink present.

At Overhaul Studio, treatments are performed using the Candela PicoWay® picosecond laser, an advanced technology designed to break tattoo ink into extremely small particles using ultra-short pulses of energy. Picosecond technology may allow for more efficient ink clearance and potentially fewer treatments than older laser technologies.

The Kirby-Desai Scale provides an estimate, not a guarantee. Every tattoo and every person's response to treatment is different, and complete tattoo removal can never be guaranteed. During your consultation, we'll evaluate your tattoo individually, discuss a realistic treatment range, and track your progress throughout the removal process.

Some Take Longer

Safety & Aftercare

Every tattoo tells a different story and every tattoo removes differently.

Professional tattoos typically contain more ink placed deeper and more evenly into the skin. While they often produce beautiful tattoos, they usually require more removal sessions.

Homemade or amateur tattoos often contain less ink and may fade more quickly.

Older tattoos have naturally faded over time, making them easier to remove in many cases.

Areas with better circulation, such as the chest and upper arms, often respond faster than areas farther from the heart, such as the hands, feet, ankles, and fingers.

Safety & Aftercare

We use professional laser technology, and evidence-based treatment protocols, to help ensure every treatment is performed with safety, precision, and patient care at the forefront. Following treatment, it is normal to experience, mild redness, swelling, tenderness, temporary whitening or "frosting", occasional blistering or scabbing.

These are normal healing responses and are typically temporary.

Following your aftercare instructions is one of the most important parts of achieving the best possible results.

Trust The Process

Safety & Aftercare

Trust The Process

Tattoo removal is not an overnight solution, it's a journey.

Each session builds upon the last, gradually fading the tattoo while allowing your body to do what it was designed to do.

With patience, consistency, and the right treatment plan, you'll see meaningful progress every step of the way.

At Overhaul Studio, we're committed to helping you move forward with confidence, one session at a time.