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Before your session — 2 minutes of prep

A few quick things to sort before you come in. Covers the basics, numbing cream (if you want it), and what your session will actually feel like.

The basics

Shave the area if there's any hair over the tattoo, so the laser can target the ink directly.
Arrive with clean, dry skin — no lotions, creams, makeup or deodorant over the treatment area.
No fake tan on or near the tattoo — tanned skin absorbs laser energy differently.
Protect the area from sun in the lead-up — sunburnt or freshly tanned skin may mean we need to reschedule.
Wear loose clothing over the area — easy access in, and comfortable on the way home.
Eat beforehand. Don't arrive on an empty stomach — it can make you feel lightheaded.

Want numbing cream? Here's how to do it right

Numbing cream is optional. Our PicoSure laser is fast (most sessions are 5–15 minutes) and we cool your skin with chilled air the whole time. Most people say it feels like a rubber band flick and that it was easier than they expected.

If you'd like numbing cream as well, that's fine — but you need to buy it and put it on yourself. Numbing creams are medicines, so by law we can't sell them or put them on for you. Any Australian pharmacy sells suitable ones over the counter (ask for EMLA, Numit or LMX4). Avoid “extra strong” creams from websites — creams over 10% lidocaine need a prescription in Australia, and the imported ones are often unsafe and illegal.

How to apply it (do this at home):

Check the label first. Use the amount and timing your product's label says. Never use more than the label's stated maximum amount.
Only cream the tattoo we're treating today. If your tattoo is being treated in sections, cream only today's section. Never cover an area bigger than an A4 sheet of paper — more than that can be dangerous.
Put on a thick, even layer. Don't rub it in — it needs to sit on the skin.
Cover it with cling wrap and tape the edges down. The wrap keeps the cream moist so it works properly.
Time it so the cream has been on about an hour when your session starts. Leave the wrap on — we'll take it off and clean the area at the clinic. If it ends up being on your skin for more than 2 hours, tell us when you arrive.
Only on healthy, unbroken skin. If your skin still has blisters, scabs or open areas from your last session, skip the cream and tell us.
If it stings badly, burns, or you get a spreading rash — take the wrap off, wipe the cream away, and call us.

Check with a pharmacist or your doctor before using numbing cream if any of these apply to you:

You are pregnant or breastfeeding
You have a heart condition or take heart-rhythm medicines
You have anaemia, G6PD deficiency, or have ever been told you had methaemoglobinaemia
You have liver or kidney problems
You take dapsone, sulfonamide antibiotics, or nitrate medicines
You've ever reacted to a local anaesthetic (at the dentist, for example)

What it feels like

Most clients compare the sensation to a rubber band flick against the skin — sharp and quick, not a prolonged ache.

We cool your skin with chilled air throughout, and most sessions are done in 5–15 minutes.

Right after your session, the tattoo will look strange — that's normal. The ink goes a white-grey colour for 15–30 minutes (called “frosting”), and the skin gets red and puffy like mild sunburn. It settles the same day. What you see straight after tells you nothing about your result — the real fading happens over the next 6–8 weeks. See what to expect and how to care for your skin afterwards →

Before your session — 2 minutes of prep

The basics

Want numbing cream? Here's how to do it right

How to apply it (do this at home):

What it feels like

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