To simplify the process of laser in less medical and clinical terms;

1. When getting a tattoo the ink sets under the skin.

2. In a laser treatment the laser passes through all the skin layers until it hits the ink and explodes the ink into small enough particles that it dissolves into your blood stream and your body naturally passes the ink through.

3. The treatment is done layer by layer. Each session treats a layer of ink that fades away over the next 6-8 weeks, then the next layer is treated etc. This continues until the tattoo is gone or the desired effect has taken place.

Bec does all of our laser tattoo removal and she is also a Co-Owner of Vintage Scarecrow, a fully qualified tattoo artist AND a fully qualified laser technician. She has been doing laser tattoo removal for 5 years now and did her training at the Australian College of Laser Therapy where she acquired her;

Certificate for tattoo removal using laser apperatis inculding safe practise and application

Certificate for laser safety officer in accordance with AS/NZS Safe use of lasers and intense light sources in healthcare

Certificate Fotona QX Max theory and practical training regarding tattoo removal

Bec has had laser treatments herself so understands the experience first hand and offers a knowledgable, transparent, supportive and encouraging experience with your comfortability as her top priority.

To book please fill out a booking form on the Bookings page of our website and Bec will get in touch with you ASAP. Alternatively you can message houdini.laser or houdini.ink on Instagram or Facebook or email houdiniink@outlook.com.

Please include pictures of the tattoo, rough size, how old it is, where it is located on your body and any other information you think would be helpful.

Once Bec has gotten in touch with you and you are booked in you will also receive an email confirmation of your booking.

If you are unable to make it yo your appointment for any reason please contact Bec directly on Instagram, Facebook or email as soon as you can.

The starting price per session is $120 but does vary depending on size, location on the body, and the colour of the ink.

How effective the treatment and how many sessions you will need depends on how healthy your lymphatic system is, your skin type, blood flow, health and many other variables.

We’re not gonna lie, Unfortunately yes.

It can be uncomfortable and is a very different experience than getting tattooed but it is different for everyone. Because of this we do highly recommend that you use numbing cream if possible. Most clients who experience pain while getting laser tattoo removal treatments have said that it’s over with so quickly that it’s very much bearable.

How many sessions you need will vary depending on many factors such as; size, location on the body, how old the tattoo is, the colour of the ink and how well your lymphatic system is working to break down the ink and flush it out of your body etc. Everyone is different and it usually takes a few sessions to see how well your body Is reacting to the laser.

If you are planning on getting a cover up you would need less sessions just to fade the tattoo enough to cover, but it’s always best to check with your artist who is doing the cover up, with what they prefer or require.

After your treatment the area may feel uncomfortable like a mild sunburn. There may be some bruising, swelling, and rarely small blisters can form. This usually lasts between 1-5 days but isn’t unusual to extend to 1-2 weeks depending on your body. It will vary depending on how your own immune system is reacting, how many laser treatments you have had previously, how much ink is left to be removed, and where the tattoo is on your body.

You can take Ibuprofen and anti-inflammatory medications to help ease any discomfort you may be feeling as well as ice packs and drinking lots of water.

For the best results from the laser treatment you need to wait a minimum of 3 months after getting the tattoo (more if possible) before doing a laser treatment. This is because the ink is still settling into the skin and healing in this time.

Please feel free to reach out to us while your tattoo is healing for a consultation or to answer any questions you have and then we can get you all booked in.

The longer you wait between your laser appointments the better results you are going to get. This is because the ink particles fade by being flushed through the bodies lymphatic system and can sometimes keep fading for up to 3 months.

Having your laser treatment earlier than advised will not speed up the process at all and can cause the incorrect settings to be used as the ink can actually be still being flushed out from your previous session. You can also be at risk for scarring if you continuously have treatments over the same area while your skin is still healing.

The general advised waiting time for each appointment varies depending on which session you are up to in your laser journey but is usually something like;

Appointments 1-5 require a 6 week wait

Appointments 6-8 require an 8 week wait

Appointments 9-11 require a 10 week wait

Appointments 12 and onwards require a 12 week wait

We use a Fotona QX Max Q-Switch machine for all our laser tattoo removal treatments. It is one of the highest performing Q-Switch laser machines in the world and provides consistent results due to it’s ability to fire ten pulses per second.

All colours can be treated and removed, some are just more stubborn than others. Blacks and reds are the easiest to remove, followed by oranges and purples which fade relatively easily as well. The most stubborn and difficult colours to remove are greens and blues, which require an entirely different filter and setting on our machine to be used.

Scarring is extremely rare with our Q-Switch tattoo removal process and is usually a result of the original tattoo being done incorrectly, that will appear and remain after the ink is removed. The technology we use is designed to target tattoo ink particles with minimal impact on the surrounding skin, causing the least amount of damage.

We always book our laser sessions in half an hour slots simply to allow plenty of time for a thorough consultation, to answer any questions you may have and to ensure we are not rushing the process.

However, the laser treatment itself is incredibly quick! The Q-Switch machine we use fires 10 pulses per second meaning that the actual treatment can last seconds for a small tattoo and only a few minutes for a large tattoo.

Not all skin types can be effectively treated with laser as it can affect the pigment of your skin. When you arrive for your appointment or consultation Bec will go through something called ‘The Kirby Desai Scale - Fitzpatrick skin type’ with you which helps determine if your skin will react well to laser or not. You can always contact us and check if you are unsure or book in to have a consultation and go over any questions you may have.

After your appointment please put an icepack on the affected area as soon as possible and leave the dressing on for that day to avoid any sun exposure or rubbing on the area. You can sleep with this dressing on the first night if you find that more comfortable.

Within the first 24 hours you should wash the treated area with warm water and antibacterial soap and after washing apply an antibacterial cooling or soothing gel/cream to the area.

After each treatment Bec will provide you with an aftercare sheet with instructions to follow. Please send us a message or give us a call if you have any questions regarding the aftercare and healing.

The main benefits of getting laser before covering up a tattoo you no longer love are that it will greatly expand your options of what you are able to cover up your existing tattoo with. Not all tattoos can just be covered up by another tattoo and sometimes a lighter version of your previous tattoo can help significantly with the cover up process. The simplest way of putting it, is laser will ensure that the previous tattoo will be faded enough so it won’t be seen at all once you have covered it up with your new tattoo.

Yes, we can do laser tattoo removal on some cosmetic tattoos such as eyebrows and hair lines. It’s always best to send us some photos and give us as much information as possible before booking or organise to come in for a consultation so we can do a thorough assessment.

Typically we can’t do laser treatments on cosmetic tattoos such as lip liner or lip blush as there is usually white ink added in to get the desired colour, but feel free to check.

It’s best to avoid going swimming in both pools and the ocean for the first few days as there can be quite a lot of bacteria in the water which increases your risk of infection.

We also recommend that you avoid tanning or going to a solarium while the area is healing to avoid causing burns or blisters.

No, unfortunately we cannot do any laser tattoo removal treatments while you are pregnant or breast feeding.

Please send us a message when you are no longer breastfeeding or pregnant and we will be more than happy to book you in.