Unwanted Tattoos
A tattoo that felt right at twenty-two can feel less right a decade later. Pico laser fading is designed to support gradual clearance, with realistic timelines mapped at consultation.
What We Can Help
Professional Tattoos
Dense, machine-placed ink. Black-dominant work is generally most tractable.
Amateur & Stick-and-Poke
Single-colour, uneven density. Often fades in fewer sessions than equivalent professional work.
Cosmetic Tattoos (PMU)
Brows, eyeliner, lip line. Patch test mandatory; not every PMU is suitable.
Cover-Up Fades
Partial fading to lighten an existing piece before a cover-up artist takes over.
The Considered Approach to Tattoo Fading
Pico laser fragments ink particles through ultra-short picosecond pulses, designed to support gradual clearance by your immune system over the weeks that follow each session. At Flourish Skin and Laser Clinic, our Registered Nurses assess the tattoo in person, set a realistic session count, and space treatments to match your skin’s clearance pace. Performed at Sunnybank only.
Why Our Tattoo Fading Results Are Different
Pico Laser, Sunnybank
Picosecond pulses across multiple wavelengths, designed to fragment ink so your body can clear it. Performed by Registered Nurses, licensed under the Radiation Safety Act 1999.
Honest Session Counts
Six to twelve sessions for most professional tattoos. Cover-up fades and amateur work usually need fewer. Estimated upfront, not as you go.
Realistic Spacing
Six to eight weeks between sessions for face and upper body, eight to twelve for lower legs. Stacking too close raises risk, not results.
FAQ
How many sessions will I need?
A realistic range for most professional tattoos is six to twelve sessions, sometimes more for dense multi-colour work. Amateur tattoos and cover-up fades often need fewer. Your clinician maps an estimate at consultation based on size, age, colour, placement and skin type. Individual results vary.
How far apart are sessions?
Typically six to eight weeks for the face and upper body, and eight to twelve weeks for the lower legs, ankles and feet. The interval allows your immune system time to clear fragmented pigment between visits.
Which tattoo colours respond best?
Black and dark blue are generally most responsive. Red, orange and yellow respond on a different wavelength. Green, teal and some blues are usually the slowest. White, flesh-tone and some cosmetic pigments can paradoxically darken on initial exposure, which is why a patch test is mandatory.
Will this work on my skin tone?
Pico can be considered across Fitzpatrick I to VI, but darker skin types require more conservative settings and longer intervals, and the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is higher. Suitability is assessed at consultation.
Can you treat my cosmetic tattoo (brows, eyeliner, lip line)?
Sometimes. Cosmetic tattoo pigments behave differently to body inks, and paradoxical darkening is a real risk. We always perform a patch test first and treat these conservatively. Not every PMU is suitable for laser fading.
Does it hurt?
Most clients describe Pico as a quick, sharp sensation. Topical numbing cream can be applied to reduce discomfort. It is not painless.
Can I fade a tattoo before a cover-up?
Yes. Cover-up fading is a common reason to book Pico, and it’s usually a shorter course than maximum-clearance treatment. Your clinician will coordinate timing with your cover-up artist if useful.
Are there reasons I shouldn't have treatment?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding, active skin infection, recent sun exposure or active tan, certain photosensitising medications, recent systemic isotretinoin, a history of keloid scarring, and some photosensitive conditions are all reasons to defer or rule out treatment. Reviewed at consultation.
Can complete clearance be guaranteed?
No. Some tattoos fade to a ghost; some retain residual shadowing; some colours may not shift meaningfully. Pico is not a scar-removal treatment, and if the original tattoo damaged the skin, the underlying texture will remain. Individual results vary.
What does recovery look like after each session?
Expect transient redness, swelling, a pale “frosted” appearance for around 20 to 30 minutes, pinpoint bleeding, crusting for 7 to 14 days, and temporary sensitivity. Strict SPF 50+ over the treated area is non-negotiable, particularly for Fitzpatrick IV to VI skin.
Ready to Plan Your Tattoo Fading?
Every plan starts with a professional assessment at Sunnybank. Our Registered Nurses look at the tattoo in good light, set a realistic session count and timeline, and share pricing before you decide.
Book Your Free Consultation