Laser Tattoo Removal

Express Med Spa uses a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, an FDA-cleared device considered a gold standard for treating black and dark tattoo ink. During each session, the laser delivers short, high-intensity pulses of light that pass through the top layers of skin and target the pigment particles in your tattoo.

When the light energy hits the ink, it shatters the pigment into much smaller fragments through a photothermal and photomechanical effect. Your body then treats these fragments like any other foreign particle: immune cells called macrophages gradually absorb them, and your lymphatic system clears them away over the following weeks. Each session breaks down another layer of ink, which is why fading happens gradually across a series of visits rather than all at once.

Darker inks, like black and navy, tend to absorb the laser wavelength most efficiently and respond fastest. Brighter or lighter colors, such as red, green, and turquoise, are more resistant and may need additional sessions or a different approach to fade fully.

Laser tattoo removal pricing at Express Med Spa is based on the physical size of your tattoo, not the number of colors or how long you have had it. Our team measures the design at your complimentary consultation and places it into one of five size categories.

• Tiny: quarter size or smaller
• Small: about the size of a credit card
• Medium: about the size of a dollar bill
• Large: about the size of a mailing envelope
• Extra Large: notebook size or larger

Larger tattoos require more laser passes per session and often more total sessions, since more ink means more surface area and, in many cases, more layers built up from touch ups or cover ups. If you are not sure which category your tattoo falls into, a consultation gives you an exact size, a session estimate, and a firm price before you book.

Pricing starts from $75 per session and is scaled by size, so you only pay for the treatment area you actually need. Because ink density, tattoo age, and the number of sessions required vary from person to person, we quote an exact price at your complimentary consultation rather than a single flat rate.

Most treatment plans call for multiple sessions, so your total investment depends on your size category and how many sessions your tattoo needs to fade. Ask about package options at your consultation if you are planning to treat a larger design or multiple tattoos.

Your visit starts with a skin and ink assessment, where your provider confirms your size category, reviews your health history, and answers any questions before treatment begins. A topical numbing option is available if you would like it.

Treatment itself is quick: sessions typically run 5 to 20 minutes depending on the size of your tattoo. Most clients describe the sensation as brief, sharp bursts of heat or stinging, similar to a rubber band snapping against the skin, that pass quickly once each pulse is delivered.

It is normal to notice redness, mild swelling, or warmth in the treated area right after your session. These effects are typically short-lived, and your provider will walk you through simple aftercare steps before you leave.

Laser tattoo removal is a gradual process. Most tattoos fade over a series of 6 to 15 or more sessions, spaced about 6 to 8 weeks apart so your body has time to clear each round of broken-down ink before the next treatment.

The exact number of sessions depends on several factors: ink color and density, how old the tattoo is, how deeply the ink was placed, your skin tone, and your body’s individual response. Black and dark ink typically responds fastest, while bright or pastel colors often need more sessions.

Results build session by session rather than all at once, and a tattoo fades over multiple sessions rather than disappearing after a single visit. Once ink has cleared, it does not return, though very deep, dense, or multicolored tattoos may leave faint traces even after a full course of treatment. Your provider will set realistic expectations for your specific tattoo at your consultation.

Before laser technology became widely available, tattoo removal options included dermabrasion, surgical excision, and acid peels. These methods physically remove or injure the top layers of skin, and they carry a much higher risk of scarring and prolonged healing.

Express Med Spa uses an FDA-cleared Q-switched Nd:YAG laser instead, which targets the ink itself rather than the surrounding skin. Because the laser is selective for pigment, treatment is more precise, sessions are shorter, and the risk of scarring is significantly lower than older removal methods.

We do not offer at-home creams or unsupervised removal kits, which are not proven to safely or effectively break down tattoo ink. A licensed provider assessing your skin and ink in person is the safest way to plan a laser tattoo removal series.