Tattoo Removal in Melbourne

Tattoo removal is the process of breaking down pigment particles in the skin so your body can naturally clear them. While tattoos are designed to be permanent, modern technology — especially medical-grade lasers — can fade or remove them with minimal risk when done correctly.

We use advanced devices that target specific ink colours without harming the surrounding skin, making the process far more precise than older, more aggressive methods.

Over the years, I’ve heard every reason under the sun — and they’re all valid. Common motivations include:

• Change in style — the design no longer reflects your personality or life stage
• Poor quality tattoos — blowouts, uneven line work or patchy shading
• Cosmetic tattoo removal — fixing shape issues or colour shifts in brows, eyeliner or lips
• Career or lifestyle changes — certain industries still prefer ink-free appearances
• Preparing for a cover-up tattoo — fading the old design to allow the new one to shine

One of my clients booked tattoo laser removal after getting matching tattoos with friends in Bali. The friendship lasted six months; the tattoo stuck around for six years — until she decided it was time for it to go.

Laser removal is the gold standard for most tattoos, and for good reason:

• Pigment targeting — minimises damage to surrounding skin
• Multi-colour — including stubborn greens, blues, and reds
• Customizable — to skin tone, tattoo age, and ink composition
• Fewer sessions with modern picosecond technology compared to older lasers

Advanced systems like the Cynosure PicoSure and PicoWay use ultra-short bursts measured in trillionths of a second, creating a photoacoustic (rather than photothermal) effect. This means pigment is shattered faster and with less heat, reducing the risk of scarring and improving comfort.

At my studio, we avoid outdated, aggressive methods like dermabrasion or acid injections, which can cause scarring and pigmentation issues — especially for darker skin tones.

Removing tattoos on darker skin types (Fitzpatrick 4–6) requires skill, patience and the right technology. The main risk is hypopigmentation (light patches) or hyperpigmentation (dark patches) caused by excessive laser heat or the wrong wavelength.

For these clients, I use longer wavelengths — such as the 1064nm setting on a Q-switched YAG — which penetrate deep enough to target ink without being absorbed by the skin’s natural melanin. This reduces the risk of pigment damage.

Skin tone isn’t the only factor — undertones, previous sun exposure and even hormonal changes can affect how the skin reacts. A good removal specialist will always tailor laser fluence, spot size and pulse duration to the individual.

Pro Tip: If you have a darker skin tone, don’t tan before treatment — even one or two shades darker can change how your skin absorbs laser energy and increase the risk of side effects.

Most healthy adults can safely undergo tattoo removal, provided they:

• Have no active skin infections in the treatment area
• Are not pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have realistic expectations — complete removal is possible in many cases, but some tattoos will fade to a light shadow rather than disappear entirely
• Provide a full medical history so I can plan the safest, most effective treatment

I may advise rescheduling or not treating if you have:

• Recent sunburn or tanning (UV exposure makes the skin more sensitive to laser)
• Uncontrolled diabetes, which can impede healing
• Keloid scarring or severe post-inflammatory pigmentation history
• Photosensitising medications (e.g. certain antibiotics or acne medications)

If any of these apply, we’ll either reschedule or adjust settings for extra caution.

Preparation is just as important as the treatment itself. Here’s my go-to pre-care guide:

• Avoid sun exposure and fake tanning products for at least 4 weeks before your session — UV changes skin pigment and increases burn risk
• Stay hydrated to support your white blood cells, which help carry away broken pigment
• Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before — alcohol thins the blood and increases swelling
• Come with clean, product-free skin — no moisturiser, sunscreen, makeup or topical actives on the area

Seasonal Tip for Melbourne Clients:

• Summer: Be extra strict with sun avoidance; even incidental exposure (e.g. driving with the window down) can affect laser safety.
• Winter: The cooler months are perfect for removal — less UV exposure means fewer risks of post-laser pigmentation changes.
• Spring & Autumn: Melbourne’s weather is unpredictable, so always have a hat or scarf handy to protect treated skin from surprise sunshine.

Removing a tattoo is more than just “pointing a laser at ink.” Each step is designed to maximise safety, comfort and fading results. At Face Figurati, here’s how I work:

• Skin Consultation: We start by assessing your tattoo’s age, ink type, colour and depth. I also check your skin’s condition and medical history that could affect healing. This stage is crucial for choosing the right laser technology.
• Numbing: Comfort is key. For most clients, I apply a high-quality topical anaesthetic 20-30 minutes before the treatment. For larger tattoos or more sensitive areas, I use medical-grade local anaesthetic.
• Laser Application: I choose the right device for your tattoo’s pigments — the Cynosure PicoSure for stubborn blues and greens, the Ruby laser for certain reds and the Q-switched YAG for black and dark inks. Each uses a specific wavelength to break down pigments into smaller particles that your body can naturally clear.
• Cooling: Immediately after the laser passes, I apply cold air or an ice pack to the treated area. This not only feels nice but also helps reduce swelling and limit inflammation.
• Aftercare: I give each client a personalised healing plan with dos and don’ts. Follow it closely and you’ll have a smooth recovery, not unwanted side effects.

After your session, the treated skin may look red, swollen or even raised. Some clients develop a small tattoo removal blister within 24 hours — this is a normal immune response and often a sign that pigment is being cleared.

Healing tips:

• Keep the area clean and dry for 48 hours.
• Avoid swimming, saunas and sweaty workouts until the skin has closed.
• Do not pick at blisters or scabs — they are part of the pigment lifting process.
• Use only clinic-approved ointments or creams; over-the-counter products may contain ingredients that irritate healing skin.

Full removal is not overnight. Most clients need 6–12 months for full results with sessions at least 6–8 weeks apart to allow skin to recover.

Why does it take time:

• Your immune system needs to break down and flush out pigment fragments after each laser session.
• Aggressive, too frequent treatments increase the risk of scarring and actually slow fading.

Session duration:

• Small tattoos: 10–15 minutes
• Medium tattoos: 20 minutes
• Large or complex designs: 30+ minutes

One of my recent Melbourne clients with a small black wrist tattoo saw 80% fading after four sessions — but a friend with a large colourful back piece needed over 10 sessions to get similar results.

Not all pigments behave the same way under a laser. Ink colour is one of the most important factors in how fast you’ll see fading — and why some tattoos seem to disappear faster than others.

Easiest to remove:

Black and dark blue inks absorb a wide range of laser light, so they break down more efficiently. That’s why black tattoos often respond well after just a couple of sessions.

Moderate difficulty:

Red and orange pigments need more targeted wavelengths. They generally respond well but may need an extra few sessions for complete clearance.

Hardest to remove:

Green, yellow and light blue pigments are the trickiest. Their lighter tones reflect more laser light, so fewer pigment particles absorb enough energy to break apart in one session. These colours often need pigment-specific tattoo removal lasers like the PicoWay or Cynosure PicoSure, and a lot of patience.

Pro tip: A single tattoo can have multiple colours, so some shades will fade faster than others.

Even with the best laser for tattoo removal, results aren’t just about the colour chart. Your tattoo removal results depend on a combination of:

• Laser technology used – Not all tattoo removal lasers are created equal. At Face Figurati, we use advanced devices like the PicoWay and Cynosure PicoSure for targeted, pigment-specific results.
• Ink depth, density and composition – Deeper or more saturated tattoos take more sessions. Older inks may also contain metallic or organic compounds that react differently to laser light.
• Immune system strength – Your immune system does the actual clearing of pigment particles after they’re shattered by the laser light. Stay hydrated, eat well and don’t smoke to improve clearance speed.
• Compliance with aftercare instructions – Not following aftercare (picking at scabs or exposing the area to UV) can slow results and increase the risk of complications.