Laser and energy-based treatments
Laser tattoo removal at Chamak Clinic, Chennai
Doctor-led laser sessions to fade tattoos, with care for Indian skin.
Not offered yet. The machine for laser tattoo removal is not at the clinic yet, so sessions cannot be booked. You can still book a consultation to talk it through and hear the other options.
From ₹2,000. The doctor gives your exact price for the area and number of sessions after the skin assessment, before anything is done.
Laser Tattoo Removal at a glance
- Sessions
- Often 6 to 10 or more, six to eight weeks apart
- Session time
- 10 to 30 minutes
- Downtime
- Blistering or crusting for about a week
- Results last
- Cleared ink does not return; some shadow may remain
- Starting price
- From ₹2,000
- What is it?
- A Q-switched laser that breaks tattoo ink into tiny particles, which the body clears away over the following weeks.
- How many sessions?
- Often 6 to 10 or more, six to eight weeks apart. It depends on the ink, size, depth and age of the tattoo.
- Is it permanent?
- Ink that the body clears does not return. Some tattoos fade fully and some leave a faint shadow, especially coloured or layered ink.
- Is it safe for Indian skin?
- It can be, with an appropriate laser and settings. The risk of lighter or darker patches is higher on darker skin, so the doctor goes carefully.
What is Laser Tattoo Removal?
A tattoo is ink placed in the deeper layer of the skin, where the body cannot easily remove it. Laser tattoo removal uses a Q-switched laser that sends extremely short, powerful pulses of light into the ink.
The pulse shatters the ink into particles small enough for the body's cleaning cells to carry away. The process is gradual: each session breaks up some of the ink, and the body clears it in the weeks that follow.
Different ink colours absorb different wavelengths of light, so black and dark blue usually fade well and some colours, such as green, yellow or light shades, respond slowly or only partly.
What it can help with
- Fades the ink
Reduces or clears tattoo ink without surgery.
- Gradual
Spaced sessions let the skin heal in between.
- Prepares for a cover-up
Fading the old ink makes a new design easier.
- Short sessions
Most sessions take less than half an hour.
- Doctor-led
Settings are planned for your skin tone and the ink.
Areas we treat
- Arms and forearmsUsually fade well; the commonest site.
- Legs and anklesSlower to clear, as circulation is weaker.
- Back and shouldersGood circulation; large pieces take many sessions.
- Wrist and fingersSmall areas, quick sessions, but can sting.
- Neck and faceDone with extra care; the doctor decides case by case.
- Chest and ribsMore sensitive; numbing helps.
How does it work?
- Pulse
The laser sends a very short pulse of light that the ink absorbs.
- Shattering
The ink particles break into fragments, and the area turns white for a few minutes.
- Clearing
Over the next weeks the body removes the fragments and the tattoo gradually fades.
- Healing
The skin forms a blister or crust, which heals and sheds in about a week or two.
- Repeat
Further sessions, spaced for the skin to heal, work through the remaining ink.
What happens during a session?
- Assessment
The doctor examines the tattoo, the ink colours and your skin, and tells you what to expect.
- Numbing
Numbing cream or ice is applied. Eyes are protected if the tattoo is near the face.
- Laser
Pulses are passed over the ink. The area frosts white for a few minutes. Small tattoos take minutes; larger ones up to half an hour.
- Dressing
Antibiotic ointment and a dressing are applied to protect the skin.
- Instructions
You are told how to care for blisters and crusts, and when to return.
Who is a good candidate?
- Professional tattoos, home-made tattoos and name tattoos
- Fading a tattoo before a cover-up design
- Black and dark blue ink, which respond well
- Tattoos you no longer want for personal or work reasons
- People who can follow aftercare and keep to a long schedule of sessions
Is laser tattoo removal safe for Indian skin?
Indian skin has more melanin, which also absorbs the laser, so darker skin has a higher chance of lighter or darker patches after treatment. The doctor uses settings suited to your skin tone, treats at a gentler pace with longer gaps, may do a test spot and asks you to keep the area out of the sun. A fresh tan raises the risk, so tanned skin is allowed to settle first.
Who should delay or avoid it?
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- A fresh tan or sunburn on the area
- A tendency to form keloids or thick scars
- An active infection, cold sore or open wound on the area
- Cosmetic tattoos of eyebrows, lip colour or eyeliner (the doctor assesses first, as some inks can darken)
- Allergic reaction or active skin disease in the tattoo
The doctor checks your medicines and health before any procedure and may advise waiting or a different treatment.
Laser tattoo removal vs cover-up
| Laser removal | Cover-up tattoo | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Fades or clears the ink | Hides the old design under a new one |
| Time needed | Several sessions over months | One or a few sessions with the tattoo artist |
| Result | Faint shadow or clear skin, depending on ink | A new, usually larger and darker tattoo |
| Used when | You want the tattoo gone or lighter | You want a new design in place of the old one |
| Combined use | Often done first to fade the old ink before a cover-up | Easier and smaller if the old tattoo is faded |
Side effects and risks
Common and short-lived
- White frosting for a few minutes after the laser
- Redness, swelling and tenderness for a few days
- Blisters and crusts for about a week
- Pinpoint bleeding in some cases
Uncommon
- Lighter or darker patches of skin, which may take months to settle
- Infection if blisters are picked or the area is not kept clean
- Scarring, mainly if the area is picked at or in keloid-prone skin
- Darkening of some inks, such as white, red or flesh tones
- A tattoo not clearing completely
Call the clinic on +91 90434 09465 if anything worries you after a session.
Results: what to expect
The tattoo fades gradually, with each session fading the ink as the body clears it over weeks. Dark inks fade most. Coloured, layered or very old tattoos may fade slowly or partly, and a faint shadow or texture change can remain. The doctor looks at your tattoo and tells you honestly what is realistic, and reviews progress at every visit.
Does it hurt?
Most people describe a sharp snap or stinging, like hot oil spitting on the skin or a rubber band, and it is usually felt more than hair removal. Bony areas are more sensitive. Numbing cream or ice before and cooling after make it manageable.
Laser Tattoo Removal cost in Chennai
The cost depends on your skin and your plan. What decides it:
- The size of the tattoo.
- The ink colours: black fades faster than coloured ink.
- The age, depth and density of the tattoo, which decide the number of sessions.
- Where the tattoo is on the body.
At Chamak Clinic, Kandigai
From ₹2,000
Starting price; yours depends on the plan
- Consultation ₹500, paid at the clinic
- Your full price and number of sessions are told to you before treatment
- Treatments are billed at the clinic
Who does it
Dr Rohini K
How to prepare
- Avoid sun exposure and tanning on the area for at least 4 weeks before.
- Do not wax, shave or use creams on the tattoo before the session, unless advised.
- Eat before you come and arrange a ride if the area is large.
- Tell the doctor about your medicines, allergies and any tendency to scar.
- Wear loose clothing that does not rub on the area.
Aftercare
- Keep the area clean and dry; do not pick or burst blisters.
- Apply the ointment and dressing the doctor gives you until it heals.
- Sunscreen (SPF 50) every morning, reapplied outdoors.
- Avoid swimming pools, saunas and tight clothing on the area while it heals.
- Wait for the full gap before the next session, even if the tattoo looks faded.
Laser Tattoo Removal: questions
Can every tattoo be removed fully?
Not always. Dark inks fade well. Colours, layered ink and very old tattoos may leave a shadow. The doctor looks at your tattoo and tells you what to expect.
Why are the sessions so far apart?
The body needs weeks to clear the broken ink and the skin needs time to heal. Treating too soon raises the risk of scarring and pigment changes.
Does laser leave a scar?
Scarring is uncommon when the laser is used correctly and aftercare is followed. Picking blisters or treating tanned skin raises the risk.
Which colours are hardest to remove?
Green, yellow, turquoise and light shades are slower, and some respond only partly. White, red and flesh-tone inks can sometimes darken, so the doctor may test a spot first.
Can I remove an eyebrow or lip tattoo?
Cosmetic tattoos need extra care, because their inks can darken with laser. The doctor examines it and may do a small test before deciding.
Is it more painful than getting the tattoo?
Many people find it about as uncomfortable or a little more, but the sessions are shorter. Numbing cream or ice helps.
Can I exercise after a session?
Avoid vigorous exercise and sweating on the area for a day or two, and anything that rubs the blisters, until it heals.
Can I get a new tattoo in the same place?
Only after the area has healed fully and the doctor agrees. Fading the old ink first makes a cover-up easier.
Does the ink go into my body?
The body clears the broken ink particles through its normal cleaning system, mainly the lymph nodes. This is a normal process.
Will the skin look the same after?
Often it looks close to normal, but a faint shadow or slight difference in texture or colour can remain. This is more likely with large, old or coloured tattoos.
Do I need a consultation before a treatment?
Yes. Every treatment starts with a consultation. The doctor examines you and advises a procedure only if it suits you; many can be done the same day.
Related treatments
All treatmentsNot sure if laser tattoo removal is right for you?
A consultation comes first: Dr Rohini K examines you, explains the options that suit you, and tells you the plan and the price before anything is done.
Far from Chennai? Consult a skin doctor online: photos and a chat, and a prescription when one is right.