We use the Cosjet Nd:YAG laser to fade unwanted ink safely and precisely. Each session is carefully controlled to protect your skin while delivering gradual, visible fading, with settings chosen for your skin type and your tattoo.

Suited to

• Complete removal of a tattoo you no longer want

• Fading a tattoo before a cover-up

• Lightening old, uneven or poorly placed tattoos

How it works

Tattoo ink is made of particles too large for your body to clear on its own, which is why tattoos are permanent. The laser delivers very short pulses of light that break the ink into much smaller fragments. This prompts your body's natural immune response: white blood cells gather around the treated area, take up the tiny ink particles and carry them away through the lymphatic system. Some ink clears quickly, while the rest fades gradually over the following weeks, which is why several sessions are needed. Mild redness, swelling or a white "frosting" on the skin straight after treatment are normal signs of this process at work.

Your first appointment

Every treatment begins with a complimentary consultation, and no laser is used without one. We'll talk through your goals, your health and your skin, complete your forms, and carry out test shots. Even if you seem a good candidate on paper, test shots are the truest way to see how your skin responds. Dark inks generally respond best, and greens and blues can't currently be treated with our laser.

During treatment

Most people describe the sensation as a hot rubber band flick, though everyone's experience is different, and the area, ink density and other factors all play a part. Cooling cryotherapy is used throughout your treatment for comfort and to support your skin's healing response. You're also welcome to use numbing cream; please talk to us first, as it only works well when applied correctly, and we'll show you how. Sessions are quick, often just minutes depending on the size of the tattoo.

Aftercare

Redness, swelling or frosting usually settles within 24 to 48 hours, and some bruising or itching can follow over the next few days. You'll go home with full aftercare instructions, including keeping the area clean and dry, icing it regularly for the rest of the day, avoiding direct sun, using sunscreen once healed, and avoiding activities that raise your body temperature, such as exercise, spas and saunas, for a time we'll discuss with you.

Results

Sessions are spaced at least eight weeks apart, giving your body time to clear the ink between treatments. Results build with each session, and the number of sessions depends on the tattoo's size, colours, depth and age, as well as your skin type. Many tattoos can be removed completely, while some older or more complex tattoos may leave a slight shadow. We'll always be honest with you about what to expect.

Cosmetic brow tattoo removal gently fades or fully removes old brow tattoo, using the same laser and science as tattoo removal, with settings adapted for cosmetic pigment and the delicate brow area.

Suited to

• Fading old, uneven or overly dark brow tattoo

• Preparing for a new cosmetic tattoo

• Returning to a softer, more natural brow

How it works

The laser breaks brow pigment into small fragments that your body clears over time. As cosmetic pigment breaks down, it can sometimes shift to a red or brown tone. If this happens, we adjust the laser settings to safely target the new colour in the following sessions.

What to expect

Your first appointment includes a detailed consultation and test patches to assess the pigment type, colour and depth, and whether treatment is right for you. Mild redness, swelling or frosting is normal afterwards and usually settles within 24 to 48 hours. Most brows need a series of sessions spaced several weeks apart, though some fade noticeably after the very first.