Colour Tattoo Removal in Brisbane

Colour tattoo removal is the process of breaking down ink particles so your body can flush them out through lymphatic drainage. Black ink absorbs laser light easily, other colours — like green ink, turquoise and white (which often contains refractive metal oxides such as titanium dioxide) — are bloody hard. We’ve worked on everything from small cosmetic brows with residual ash tones to large arm pieces layered with multiple cover-ups. Each case requires a custom treatment plan.

• Skin type and Fitzpatrick skin type – Darker skin types have more melanin pigment, so laser practitioners adjust the laser settings more conservatively.
• Tattoo size and layering – Multiple cover-ups or dense tattoo inks take longer.
• Ink colours – Black ink fades the fastest, red and orange respond well, but green ink and yellow often need more sessions.
• Ink particles and composition – Pigments with refractive metal oxides or titanium dioxide can be resistant.
• Immune system health – Strong lymphatic draining is essential for clearing broken pigment. Cancer survivors or those with immune conditions may fade more slowly.
• Lifestyle and aftercare – Sun exposure, picking at scabs or smoking all slow down the tattoo removal process.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common and effective methods we use in Brisbane:

Laser Tattoo Removal

The gold standard in Brisbane, laser equipment uses photoacoustic energy to break down tattoo inks. Your body then flushes away the unwanted ink.

Types Of Lasers Used

• Q-switched Nd: YAG lasers (1064/532 nm) – Good for black ink and red.
• Alexandrite 755 nm – Used for blue and green ink.
• Ruby 694 nm – Targets stubborn turquoise and lighter shades.
• Picosecond lasers (Picosure Pro, Picoway 1064 tattoo removal, Quanta Discovery Pico Plus, nano laser tattoo removal systems) – Deliver ultra-fast pulses that break ink particles into smaller fragments for faster fading.

Brisbane clinics now use European technology combined with skin cooling technology for client comfort.

Saline Tattoo Removal

Saline removal is a non-laser alternative that works by tattooing a saline solution into the treated area. The saline pushes tattoo pigment back towards the surface of the skin, forming a scab during the healing process. As the scab flakes away, it takes pigment with it.

Glycolic Removal

A less common option, glycolic acid-based solutions can be tattooed into the skin to lift pigment. While it can fade cosmetic tattoos, this method comes with a higher risk of irritation and potential scarring. For this reason, most reputable Brisbane studios use it only for very small tattoos or when laser and saline are not suitable.

Dermabrasion

An older, more aggressive method, dermabrasion, involves sanding down the tattooed skin layers. While it can sometimes remove pigment, it often leaves scarring and is rarely used in Brisbane today. It’s considered outdated compared to the precision of laser or the safety of saline.

Clients ask why the laser is the gold standard. Here’s why:

• Can target multiple ink colours by using different wavelengths.
• Breaks down resistant pigments like green ink with pico laser systems.
• Works for tattoos of all sizes and densities, from small cosmetic brows to full sleeves.
• Sessions are quick – usually 10–30 minutes.
• Minimal downtime compared to dermabrasion, surgery or chemical methods.

Tattoo removal is not a one-size-fits-all process. Best results happen when clients have realistic expectations and are in the right condition for treatment.

Ideal Candidates

• You have tattoo regret and want full removal or fading for a cover-up.
• You have cosmetic tattoos (brows, lips, eyeliner) with unwanted pigment.
• You have a strong immune system and healthy lymphatic function to speed up clearance.
• You are willing to commit to multiple treatment sessions (usually 3–10+).
• You can follow detailed post-treatment care instructions to protect your skin.

Contraindications

Just as important as knowing who is suitable is understanding who isn’t. Treatment may not be right for you if you:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding. Hormonal changes increase the risk of unpredictable healing, and laser is not considered safe during pregnancy.
• Have uncontrolled diabetes or severe immune disorders. These conditions slow wound healing and increase infection risk.
• Take photosensitive medications. Certain antibiotics, acne treatments or herbal supplements can make your skin more reactive to light and increase burn risks.
• Have active infections, open wounds or recent sunburn. Damaged or inflamed skin can’t tolerate laser and must be fully healed first.
• Are prone to keloid scarring. If your skin has a history of forming raised scars, tattoo removal may leave permanent texture changes.

If any of these apply, your practitioner may delay or modify your treatment plan or recommend an alternative method such as saline tattoo removal.

Prepping your skin and body is the best way to ensure a smoother treatment and faster recovery. Here’s what to do:

• Book a patch test. This small test spot checks how your skin responds to the laser and helps set safe treatment settings.
• Avoid tanning or sun exposure for at least 2 weeks. Freshly tanned skin increases the risk of burns, hyperpigmentation or scarring.
• Stop using blood-thinning medications (only if cleared by your GP). Blood thinners can increase bruising and slow the healing process.
• Shave the treatment area. Smooth skin allows the laser to penetrate evenly and reduces the chance of surface burns.
• Hydrate and maintain overall health. Drink water, eat nutrient-rich foods and avoid smoking or excessive alcohol to support your immune system, which is crucial for flushing out ink particles.

Here’s what a typical appointment looks like in a professional Brisbane clinic:

• Consultation – Your practitioner will assess the tattoo size, placement, skin type (Fitzpatrick scale) and ink colours. This determines the most suitable wavelength and technology.
• Personalised treatment plan – Every tattoo is unique. A customised plan ensures settings are safe for your skin tone and pigment density.
• Numbing and skin cooling – To reduce discomfort, numbing creams and advanced skin cooling (chilled air or cryo devices) are used before and during the session.
• Laser tattoo removal – The practitioner applies short bursts of laser to the tattoo, targeting the pigments without damaging the surrounding skin. Ink is broken into tiny fragments.
• Post-treatment dressing – The area is cooled immediately and dressed with a sterile dressing to reduce swelling and prevent bacteria.

Healing is a part of the tattoo removal process. Here’s what most people experience:

• Day 1–3: The Area will be red and swollen. Pinpoint bleeding and tenderness are normal, especially for bigger tattoos.
• Day 4–7: Scabbing, blistering, and flaking will appear. This stage is crucial because pigment is carried away with the scabs. Don’t pick to prevent scarring.
• Week 2–4: Skin will start to go back to normal. Fading will start to show, but the full effect takes time.
• Week 6–8: Skin is fully healed and ready for the next session. This allows your lymphatic system to finish clearing out ink particles.

Each healing stage is influenced by skin tone, immune health and pigment type. People with a good aftercare routine heal faster and more evenly.

Aftercare is key to your results. Follow these:

• Keep the area dry for 48 hours. This prevents bacteria from getting in while the skin is most vulnerable.
• Avoid heavy exercise, saunas and pools for 7 days. Sweat and water exposure can increase infection risk.
• Use only recommended medical-grade creams. Don’t use DIY remedies like hydrogen peroxide or petroleum jelly.
• Don’t pick scabs or blisters. Picking interferes with pigment release and can cause scarring.
• Use SPF 50+ daily after healing. Sun protection is non-negotiable — UV light darkens healing skin and can cause pigmentation issues.

By following these, you give your skin the best chance of even fading and scar-free healing.

Average sessions by tattoo type:

• Temporary swelling, redness, blistering
• Scabbing and flaking (normal part of tattoo removal process)
• Uneven fading between treatment sessions
• Rare: hyperpigmentation, scarring, or darkening of white pigments

One of the most common questions we get in the clinic is: “Can you really remove all tattoo colours?” The answer: most, but not all. Different pigments respond to different laser wavelengths, and some shades are more resistant than others.

• Black ink: Clears the fastest because black pigment absorbs all laser wavelengths. Even older Q-switched devices remove black efficiently, while Pico lasers speed things up further.
• Red and orange inks: Generally respond well to 532 nm lasers. Clients often see significant fading within the first few sessions.
• Green ink and turquoise: These shades are notoriously stubborn. They require more advanced technology, like the Alexandrite 755 nm or Picosure tattoo removal, to achieve good results. Expect more sessions for these pigments.
• Blue ink: Darker blues respond reasonably well, but lighter sky-blue shades behave more like turquoise and may take longer.
• Yellow and white inks: These are the most resistant. Because they’re made with titanium dioxide and other reflective compounds, the laser light often bounces off instead of breaking the pigment down. Full clearance is sometimes impossible, though partial fading can still be achieved.

Why Colour Matters

Tattoo inks are made with different chemical bases — carbon, iron oxides, or metal salts — and each reacts differently to laser light. Black and darker pigments absorb energy well, while light-reflecting colours like white, yellow, and pastel shades resist breaking down.

This is why experienced practitioners in Brisbane often combine multiple wavelengths or use second-generation picosecond technology (such as the Quanta Discovery Pico Plus or Picoway 1064) for stubborn colours.