When clients ask if one treatment of pico laser is enough to see results, we emphasise that tattoo removal is a process. Though some clients do see immediate results, on average tattoo removal takes between 8-12 sessions with approximately 10% of the tattoo being removed each session.
Tattoo removal takes place under the skin, in the dermis, where the ink is held. After the laser has broken it apart with a short pulse of light, the unwanted ink particles begin to clear through the body’s natural immune system.
So while it might not appear on the surface that the removal is happening, under the skin it is an entirely different story. The ink is clearing out of the body through the lymphatic system.
How many pico laser sessions does it take to remove PMU?
The average PMU removal takes between 3-5 sessions, with the LightSense™ laser being able to treat sensitive areas of skin as often as every 2-3 weeks.
Verity, one of NAAMA’s expert consultants, describes how fast the process is: “Because PMU tends to heal quickly with the low-energy LightSense™ laser it usually takes around four months in total.”
What laser does NAAMA use?
At NAAMA we only use the LightSense™ laser system. It is FDA-cleared, CE-certified, and backed by rigorous clinical studies.
LightSense™ is a type of pico laser, which means that its pulse width (how long the beam of light touches the skin) is measured in extremely quick picoseconds. Compared to the average pico laser its pulse width is 92X shorter.
“It’s mad, I didn't really know that it would work so well. It’s gone really quick so far. It’s surreal that I’m going to be able to look down on my arm and not have to see what it used to say. It’s exciting.”
Talk to one of our experts to start your removal journey
We have plenty of successful client stories looking at people who have experienced fast and effective clearances. The three factors that will greatly improve the success of tattoo removal are:
The technology used - read more
The health of the immune system - read more
And the tattoo itself: everything from the colour and density of the ink, to its location
Every tattoo and skin type is unique. Some colour tattoos are more difficult to remove than others, and some inks sit deeper in the skin. Lasers vary too, and some remove tattoos quicker than others.
The LightSense™ laser is superior at removing difficult lighter shades, which other laser technologies can struggle to remove. Other factors that affect how long it takes to remove your tattoo include the location of your tattoo, the ink density, and your skin type.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for fast tattoo removal, as the process relies on a strong immune system to break down the ink. To help speed up how long it takes to remove a tattoo we recommend avoiding excessive alcohol and smoking, as well as focusing on a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water to flush out the ink particles. Our sun exposure guidelines may also be useful, as it is not safe to treat burnt skin and we will have to reschedule your removal.
The LightSense™ laser system is a type of pico laser. It has an extremely short pulse width of eight picoseconds, 89x shorter when compared to the average pico laser.
Before picosecond lasers, tattoo removal was attempted using lasers with pulse widths measured in nanoseconds. This longer pulse of light can potentially cause skin damage and pain. We are happy to point to studies that examine the multiple benefits of using picosecond lasers over nanosecond lasers.
The LightSense™ laser puts skin safety at the forefront of the tattoo removal process. The initial research that underpins the laser system, undertaken at Princeton University, identified the need for a skin-safe and pain-free laser tattoo removal technology.
Side effects are generally very mild for eyebrow tattoo and microblading removal. You might temporarily see some slight redness around the area or experience what we call ‘frosting’
Frosting is a natural reaction when the laser hits the targeted ink and isn’t any cause for concern. It usually goes away after 10 minutes or so, but can last for up to 48 hours in some cases.
If you have particularly dense eyebrow tattooing, you’re more likely to experience some redness or pinpoint bleeding as we need to work deeper to target the ink. However, we’ll discuss this with you during your consultation so you know exactly what to expect.
Permanent makeup removal follows the same process as laser tattoo removal. First, we use the laser to break down the ink pigment into smaller particles. Your immune system then steps in to remove these particles from your body. Repeat until it’s all clear!
Our LightSense™ laser system is a skin-safe and gentle way to treat delicate areas of the face. The low-energy pulses significantly reduce the risk of blistering, scarring or lasting damage (this is your face, after all) while our incredibly accurate spot size means we can target the ink with superior precision.
If you have permanent makeup that you no longer like, then laser eyebrow tattoo removal might be for you. NAAMA's LightSense® laser technology is perfectly equipped to remove microblading and eyebrow tattoos quickly, safely, and precisely. And it's only available in the US at NAAMA's New York studio. If you’re interested in learning more, speak to our experts today.
