Coloured Tattoo Removal in London — Blue, Green & Red, Realistically

Reviewed By

Dr Vishal Patel

BDS Liverpool · MSc Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry Manchester · GDC 103127 · AACD Member · Invisalign Diamond II Provider · IFAAS (International Fellowship in Advanced Aesthetic Science) · Facial anatomy & cadaver course, Dr Ali Pirayesh, University of Amsterdam · Harley Academy foundation training in injectable aesthetics · IBSA-trained (Profhilo) · NeoStrata-trained (skin peels) · Lynton Lasers trained, incl. ONDA

Last Updated

September 15, 2026

The honest, colour-by-colour account of what clears quickly, what takes patience, and what no laser can fully promise.

Coloured tattoo removal — what's realistic for blue, green and red. Black clears most predictably. Blue and green can respond to a Q-switched laser but need more sessions, and may not clear fully. Red usually fades cleanly. Bright yellow, white and some cosmetic pinks are the stubborn ones. At Dental & Wellness London in Islington, we assess each pigment honestly before we begin — and tell you what we cannot promise.

Coloured tattoo removal in Islington, London: laser handpiece treating a small red tattoo on a forearm
CLINICAL LEADDr Vishal Patel, GDC 103127
TrainedLynton Lasers, incl. ONDA
RATING4.7 ★ · 300+ Google reviews
REGULATEDCQC registered
EST.2009

Heading

At a Glance
  • Pigment-colour-specific clearance rates
  • Q-switched laser
  • From £750 per course of up to 10 appointments
  • Large or multi-colour work quoted in writing after assessment
  • Free patch test
  • Honest assessment before treatment

Pigment Behaviour
Colour-specific response
Treatment Factors
What influences session count
Our Approach
Honest assessment, no promises
Black and dark blue respond to 1064nm wavelength and clear most predictably. Blue and green need more sessions and may not clear fully with a Q-switched laser, so patience is required. Red and orange often respond well. Yellow, white and pastel pinks are the most stubborn, reflecting rather than absorbing laser light.
Five factors decide the timeline: pigment colour and chemistry, ink density and layering, depth and age of tattoo, your skin tone, and location on the body (better circulation in areas closer to the heart). Each factor influences the number of sessions and the response to treatment.
We assess each tattoo pigment by pigment, not as a single object. Our focus is proportionate treatment: matching wavelength and session count to the actual ink. We say no when a colour cannot be cleared safely, and we insist on a free patch test before committing to a course.
During consultation, we read your tattoo and explain which pigments are likely to clear quickly and which will need more sessions. We give a realistic estimate in writing, including the number of sessions and total cost, before you commit to anything.
A free patch test is performed to see how your specific pigments respond to the laser. This test is essential for coloured and cosmetic work, as it sometimes reveals that a colour will not clear as hoped — which we communicate honestly before proceeding.
We treat with a Q-switched laser, which fires in nanoseconds and is well established for black and dark-blue ink. Tattoo removal is from £750 per course of up to 10 appointments; large, multi-colour or full-sleeve work is quoted in writing after assessment. Black and dark pigments typically clear in 6–10 sessions; stubborn colours such as light green or sky blue may need more, and some may not clear fully.

We assess each tattoo pigment by pigment, not as a single object — the honest colour-by-colour account of what clears quickly, what takes patience, and what no laser can fully promise.

Clinician adjusting settings on the touchscreen of a laser machine — coloured tattoo removal
Consultation & Patch Test We read your tattoo pigment by pigment, explain which colours are likely to clear quickly and which will need patience, and perform a free patch test to see how your specific ink responds.
Treatment Sessions A Q-switched laser, which fires in nanoseconds, is used for treatment, with settings chosen for your ink and skin. Sessions are spaced several weeks apart.
Realistic Estimate, In Writing Session count and total cost are confirmed before you commit to a course. Where a colour is genuinely stubborn — yellow, white, some pastel pinks — we say so honestly rather than promise a result we cannot deliver.
Laser handpiece treating a small tattoo on a forearm

Transparent pricing

Prices are set out below. Your written plan confirms the fee before any treatment begins.

MetricPrice
(Per Course)
Tattoo removalFrom £750 per course of up to 10 appointments
Large, multi-colour or full-sleeve workQuoted in writing after assessment
Typical course — black/dark pigments6–10 sessions
Typical course — stubborn colours (green, sky blue)More sessions; some colours may not clear fully

0% APR finance over 12 months via Tabeo, subject to status.

Our happy patients,
in their own words

★★★★★

Highly recommend their current teeth whitening deal. Very accommodating and lovely service. Will be back! ***Updating after completing my Invisalign to recommend again. My teeth are now super straight and Doctor Patel and his team are simply the best. Amazing service. So happy I’ve found such a good dentist.

Clare

★★★★★

I’m based in Dalston and was super self-conscious about my slightly twisted teeth. Looked at clear aligners vs Invisalign at different places but Dental & Wellness London’s expertise won me over. They used 3D tech to show exactly how my teeth would shift. Appointments were always on time, easy to pop over from Dalston. Finished with whitening and now I love smiling in photos.

Owen

★★★★★

Great experience - had an emergency orthodontic retainer fitted and they were super helpful! Thank you very much

Dani

★★★★★

Amazing hygienist appointment was very helpful and gave me lots of tips for better care.

Jamie

★★★★★

From my visits, my impression is that Dr Vishal is exactly what you need from a dentist— friendly, honest, helpful and clear leaving you feeling that your oral hygiene is under expert care. Booking in with him has always been easy and nice staff working there. Would definitely recommend

Fred

★★★★★

I booked an emergency appointment for my broken tooth. After the check-up, the dentist suggested a treatment, which was carried out quickly and efficiently. My tooth looks just as it did before. I’m 100% satisfied — thank you so much!

Kaede

★★★★★

A very professional experience, Dr Patel is very diligent and my clean was the best I’ve had in London.

Estelle

★★★★★

Amazing results with the Onda skin tightening treatment. I noticed a difference after the first session, and by the third perfect. The team were friendly, reassuring, and really looked after me. genuinely recommend the Onda treatment.

Claire

★★★★★

Front tooth fracture repair. Looks very natural and was done very quickly.

JP

★★★★★

Dr Vishal Patel is a fantastic dentist—professional, kind, and very thorough. He explained everything clearly and made the visit comfortable and stress-free. Highly recommend!

Sara

★★★★★

Great hygienist service, thank you!

Katerina

★★★★★

Just finished my gum disease treatment with Dr. Patel. I strongly recommend him as a dentist. Thank you again!

Oladele

★★★★★

Got my tooth refilled with them. Good service and take good care.

Olivia

★★★★★

I had a great experience doing Invisalign i7 with Dr Patel couldn’t recommend enough. Dr Patel is really kind and works with you to find the right solution for your situation - there’s no upselling and is very flexible. Invisalign i7 worked for my requirements and was super quick. Thanks everyone for the great service - really appreciate it!

Pritika

★★★★★

I came here for an emergency appointment due to wisdom tooth pain and had it removed promptly. I hadn’t been to the dentist in a while so then had a general appointment and fillings done. The team are friendly, efficient and pain free. They did a fantastic job on all services. I would highly recommend.

Roxanne

★★★★★

Excellent service. I had a chipped composite bonded tooth, Vishal booked me straight in the following day. Quick skilled appointment and I’m very happy with the result. Thank you.

Susan

★★★★★

Very happy with my service; Dr Patel done my second root canal, took his time and was very attentive; 10/10 service and should I need any other treatment, I will be back for sure

Zee

★★★★★

Had a great dental cleaning with Dr. Vishal! Exceptional service and care. Thank you

Alexia

★★★★★

Dr. Patel is of the highest standard. He takes great care and is very invested. Maria at the front desk welcomes you fantastically with a great smile and professionalism . Would highly recommend.

Johnny

★★★★★

I had an amazing consultation & experience at this clinic. I felt like I was listened to and taken seriously! Will absolutely be returning to this clinic.

Bella

★★★★★

Again excellent service i had a hygiene clean and check up. I would highly recommended treatments at this clinic.

Andrew

★★★★★

Really pleasant people to deal with and always willing to take the time to give their clients advice. I initially came in for a consultation for some skin problems I was having and I really felt the doctor wanted to work with me to find a solution. I have been back many times since for various treatments. Highly recommend. Update 4 years on: still visiting the clinic and still very happy with the service received, thank you to everyone here!

Sinead

★★★★★

1000% recommend, lovely professional staff and a comfortable environment. :) I had an Invisalign comprehensive treatment it was very effective and has completely transformed my smile . This has impacted my confidence but this treatment was very effective and their is consistent upkeep and support .

Nusrat

★★★★★

Such a lovely team! Managed to squeeze in a filling into my dental check-up, which was really appreciated! My new favourite dental practice!

TJ

★★★★★

Just had my teeth whitened at Dental & Wellness. Over the moon with the results __. The staff are absolutely lovely and Dr. Patel checked my teeth over thoroughly first. I am so happy with the resul

Lee

★★★★★

Knowledgeable and considerate dentist that goes the extra mile. They were really helpful when it came to correcting my smile with Invisalign, giving me all the support I needed.

Rhys

★★★★★

Thank you very much for the excellent care I had from Dr. Peter. Everybody at Dr. Patel's office is kind and helpful, yet they maintain a serious and competent demeanor. I think that dermal fillers in London is a fantastic choice.

Henry

★★★★★

I've been coming to Dental and Wellness for the past two years, and I couldn't be happier with the care I've received. The team is always friendly, welcoming, and professional. I've had a number of treatments, and every one has been carried out to a very high standard, with fantastic results every time. The atmosphere is calm and relaxing, which makes every visit a pleasant experience. I highly recommend Dental and Wellness to anyone looking for excellent dental care.

Sophie

★★★★★

ONDA Plus for jawline and submental area – saw results immediately. Professional, comfortable and great value.

Frieda

★★★★★

My invisalign experience with this clinic was really fantastic! Dr Patel was very patient in addressing my concerns and he always made me feel at ease with each step. Everything was thoroughly explained and the team respected my decision on each intervention. Maria was also very friendly and accomodating every time I was at the clinic. Will definitely recommend this clinic to friends and family :)

Charmaine

Questions
people ask

If your question isn't answered here, call reception on 020 8127 4567 or email reception.

Which tattoo colours are the hardest to remove?

Yellow, white and pastel pinks are the most stubborn, because they reflect rather than absorb much laser light. Green and blue are moderately challenging and may need more sessions with a Q-switched laser, and some may not clear fully. Black and dark blue are usually the most cooperative. We assess your specific pigments at a free patch test before estimating a course.

Can you fully remove a coloured tattoo, or just fade it?

Many coloured tattoos can be cleared close to invisible, but full clearance depends on the pigments involved. Some difficult colours fade substantially without reaching zero. If a colour cannot be safely or fully removed, we tell you that before you begin rather than after several sessions.

Why does my green tattoo need more sessions than black?

Because green absorbs a narrower band of laser light than black and holds onto pigment more tightly. The black lifts first; the green follows more slowly. This is normal and expected, not a sign anything is going wrong. We pace the course to the most stubborn colour in the piece.

Is coloured tattoo removal more painful than black?

The sensation is similar regardless of colour — most people compare it to the original tattooing, brief and manageable with cooling. Removal is never painless, but coloured work isn't inherently more uncomfortable than black. The difference is usually the number of sessions, not the feeling of each one.

Do you treat cosmetic and coloured facial tattoos the same way?

No — cosmetic pigments, especially those containing white or titanium dioxide, can darken on a first laser pass, so we screen and patch test cosmetic work with extra caution and sometimes recommend against laser entirely. For coloured cosmetic tattoos near the eyes or lips we'll discuss saline alternatives where laser isn't appropriate.

How is tattoo removal priced?

Tattoo removal is from £750 per course of up to 10 appointments, and the patch test is free. Large, multi-colour and full-sleeve work is quoted in writing after assessment, once we have seen the tattoo and your skin.

Is the tattoo removal patch test free?

Yes — it's included with your first consultation. It's an essential safety step that tests how your specific skin and ink respond before you commit to a full plan and budget.

Do you offer finance for tattoo removal?

Yes. 0% APR finance over 12 months via Tabeo, subject to status. Tattoo removal is from £750 per course of up to 10 appointments, and large or sleeve work is quoted in writing after assessment. The patch test is free.

Why does tattoo removal take so many sessions?

The laser breaks the ink into fragments your body then clears over the following weeks. It takes several rounds of that to clear a tattoo fully, which is why sessions are spaced six to eight weeks apart across a course of six to eight visits for most tattoos.

How much does a full sleeve tattoo removal cost?

Large, multi-colour and full-sleeve work is quoted in writing after assessment, because the number of sessions depends on size, colour complexity and individual response. Our tattoo removal is from £750 per course of up to 10 appointments, and the patch test is free. Finance, where used, is 0% APR over 12 months via Tabeo, subject to status.

How many sessions will I need for tattoo removal?

Usually six to twelve for full removal, spaced six to eight weeks apart, depending on ink colour, density, age and depth. We give you a realistic range at consultation after a patch test rather than a fixed promise.

Is saline removal safer than laser for cosmetic tattoos?

For pigments at risk of paradoxical darkening, often yes. Saline removal uses no laser energy, so it does not trigger oxidation. It is slower — ten or more sessions — but safer for high-risk pigments, and we can refer you to a saline provider if that is the right route.

Why is the patch test essential for cosmetic tattoo removal?

Because cosmetic pigments respond unpredictably — some lighten, some stay unchanged, some darken permanently. A patch test in a small area shows which response your specific pigment will have before you commit to treatment on a visible part of your face. Skipping it risks lasting disfigurement.

Book a consultation and patch test

If you're weighing up removing a coloured tattoo, book a consultation and free patch test. We'll give you an honest, pigment-by-pigment read on what's realistic before you commit to a course.

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