I'm Two Sessions Into My Tattoo Removal Journey—Here's What You Should Know

Here at Who What Wear UK, we like to test as many trending beauty treatments as possible, from the best facials to microneedling, to let you know if they are worth the hype. However, we also want to ensure we are testing treatments that, although not the most exciting, are things that people actually want to read about. One of those things? Tattoo Removal. Who What Wear UK data analyst, Sophie Cookson, was keen to get a tattoo removed, so she headed to The Aesthetics Doctor in Mayfair to start her treatment.

Sophie is now two months into the tattoo removal process, and has shared her entire experience below, including before-and-after pictures. We've also answered some of your most burning questions about tattoo removal, so keep on scrolling for everything we want you to know.

How Does Tattoo Removal Work?

First things first, how does tattoo removal actually work? Most practitioners will use lasers in order to carry out this treatment. "The laser emits very short pulses of light that essentially break the pigment in the tattoo," explains Dr Ahmed El Muntasar, GP, cosmetic doctor and award-winning practitioner. "When the pigment particles break down and become smaller, your immune system is able to clear them."

Is Tattoo Removal Painful?

The question we get asked all the time is, "Is tattoo removal painful?" The truth is, this really depends on the individual. "You can use numbing cream or cooling devices, but it's generally quite well tolerated," says Dr El Muntasar. That being said, he does tell me that some people can find it a little sensitive, especially if they are getting a tattoo completely removed. If you're nervous about the treatment, make sure to discuss any concerns with your practitioner.

Is There Any Downtime After the Treatment?

The good thing about this treatment is that there isn't too much downtime. "A bit of swelling, redness, or blistering can happen for a few days," explains Dr El Muntasar. "It might be a bit sensitive to light, but nothing major."

Will Your Tattoo Be Completely Removed?

Whilst many tattoos can be completely removed after undergoing this treatment, the outcome depends on several factors, so it's important to discuss the expected results with your practitioner before proceeding with the treatment. " can be significantly faded or even completely removed, depending on a few different factors such as the colour (coloured tattoos, especially green and yellow, are quite difficult) and the age of the tattoo," Dr El Muntasar tells me.

He also tells me that it can depend on the patient's skin colour and how they heal. "Generally, to get completely removed, you will probably need around 10 sessions."