Laser Tattoo Removal in St. Louis

Looking for full removal, lightening to cover, permanent cosmetics correction, or blowout repair service? Old Flame Laser offers personalized laser tattoo removal in St. Louis’s Botanical Heights neighborhood. Certified laser technicians will assess your tattoo and build a treatment plan around your skin and your goals.

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How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?

To understand how laser tattoo removal works, it helps to first understand how tattoo ink is placed in the skin. During the tattooing process, a tattoo machine injects ink into the dermis (the deeper layer of the skin beneath the surface). The ink particles are not naturally supposed to be there. However, your body is unable to remove them on it’s own. Over time, some particles will gradually break down, causing tattoos to fade or appear slightly blurred.

Laser tattoo removal works by delivering short, high-intensity pulses of light into the skin, targeting the tattoo ink. Different ink colors absorb different wavelengths of light. This is why specific laser settings are used for different pigments. As the ink particle absorbs the laser energy, it rapidly heats and shatters into much smaller pieces. Once broken down, these smaller particles can be naturally processed and eliminated by the body through the lymphatic system over time.

Because tattoo ink sits deep within the skin and varies in color, density, and age, multiple treatment sessions are typically required to achieve optimal fading or complete removal. Every treatment breaks down the particles smaller and smaller until the body can remove as many particles as possible.

What Are Your Options?

Laser tattoo removal is not one-size-fits-all. Click below to learn more about each laser tattoo removal process:

Tattoo removal results vary from person to person. Every tattoo responds differently to treatment. On average, complete removal may require between 8-12 sessions, depending on factors such as ink color, depth, density, skin type, and the age of the tattoo.

Black ink and most warmer tones typically respond the fastest to laser treatment. Cooler colors such as blues, greens, and certain yellows can be more challenging to remove and may require additional sessions. Every treatment plan is fully customized to your individual tattoo and goals, ensuring the safest and most effective results possible.

Planning a cover up tattoo? A few laser tattoo removal sessions can help dramatically expand your options. By fading existing ink, laser treatments create a cleaner canvas and can help your tattoo artist achieve better overall results.

While we can provide guidance on when your tattoo may be ready, your tattoo artist will ultimately determine when it has faded enough for the best cover-up outcome. In most cases, clients need anywhere from 2-6 treatments, depending on the tattoo’s size, color, and density.

There are many reasons people choose to remove or lighten permanent cosmetic ink. Beauty trends evolve. Facial features naturally change over time. Colors that once looked flattering may fade, shift tone, or no longer suit your desired appearance. In some cases, clients simply want a fresh start before having the area redone.

Our laser treatments are designed to be gentle enough for delicate facial skin while still delivering effective results tailored to your goals. Depending on the pigment, color, and desired outcome, noticeable improvement may be achieved in as little as one treatment session, without any downtime or scabbing.

*Please note that we do not perform laser tattoo removal service on permanent eyeliner*

Sometimes tattoos don’t heal exactly as expected. If you’ve noticed ink spreading or blurring outside the lines (commonly known as a “blowout”) laser tattoo removal can often help refine and correct the area. Depending on the severity of the blowout, noticeable improvement may be achieved in as little as one treatment session.

The Technology Behind Your Results

The laser matters. Here is what we use at Old Flame:

Deka Toro

Using DEKA’s advanced Toro platform, we tailor every treatment to your tattoo’s unique ink and your skin, combining picosecond and nanosecond technology to break down pigment effectively, even in multicolor and hard-to-treat tattoos.

Zimmer Cryo 6

The Zimmer Cryo 6 delivers a steady stream of chilled air before, during, and after each treatment to reduce discomfort, calm redness and swelling, and protect the skin from excess heat. Because it works without direct contact, it doesn’t interfere with the laser, just a safer, more comfortable experience with less downtime.

Questions We Hear All the Time

Straight answers, no filler. If you don’t see your question here, bring it to your free consultation.

That depends on your tattoo and your goal. For complete removal, most tattoos require 8 to 12 sessions. If you’re lightening for a cover-up, many clients need between 2 and 6. The factors that affect the timeline include ink color, depth, density, age of the tattoo, and how well your lymphatic system processes the fragmented ink. We’ll give you a realistic estimate at your free consultation.

All technicians at Old Flame have undergone treatments. We’re not going to lie to you. Just like how tattoos hurt, laser tattoo removal hurts too. Pain levels depend on personal tolerance. Our technicians ensure our clients are as comfortable as possible. We let our clients take breaks, use a cryo chilling device called a zimmer before, during, and after every session that tremendously helps with the pain. Numbing cream is always welcome.

Yes! We encourage it if you’re concerned about pain. We recommend using a 5% Lidocaine cream. This is the highest percentage available over the counter. Apply a generous layer to the entire treatment area, cover with plastic wrap to create a seal, and leave it on for 20 to 60 minutes before your appointment. Wear that dressing in shop and we’ll clean the area before your session begins.

The risk of scarring is minimal when following the provided after care instructions. The laser targets ink pigment and leaves the surrounding skin unharmed. Temporary side effects of redness, swelling, and occasionally blistering or scabbing are normal and resolve on their own. Avoid picking or scratching the treated area and follow the aftercare instructions we give you. Our laser also has a fractional capability that can help with light skin resurfacing when needed.

Most colors respond well to treatment. Some take longer than others. Black and grey ink respond best. Warm tones like reds and oranges do well too. Cooler colors like blues, greens, and certain yellows can be more challenging and may need additional sessions. We’ll assess your specific ink during your consultation and set accurate expectations.

A minimum of 8 to 12 weeks, depending on your skin and how the tattoo is responding. The long wait between appointments isn’t because we don’t want to see you. Your body needs that time to break down and naturally clear the fragmented ink particles. Clients with lighter skin tones can sometimes tolerate shorter intervals. Those with more melanin benefit from longer spacing to minimize the risk of pigmentation changes.

Yes. It does require extra care because darker skin contains more melanin, which can absorb laser energy and increase the risk of pigmentation changes to the treated area. We manage this with more moderate settings and longer spacing between sessions. Following proper aftercare is equally important for achieving the best results.

Most tattoos can be completely removed. Results vary depending on ink color, age, type, and location, as well as how your body responds to treatment. In some cases a faint “ghosting” remnant may remain. This is usually barely noticeable and continues to fade over time. We’ll give you an honest picture of what full removal looks like for your specific tattoo during your consultation.

Ready to Let Go of That Tattoo?

Your consultation is completely free. One of our skilled technicians will assess your tattoo, walk through a realistic treatment plan, and answer every question you have. Same-day treatment is always an option.

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