Frequently asked questions

Saline tattoo removal is a non-laser procedure that uses a specially formulated saline solution to help lift tattoo pigment from the skin during the natural healing process. It's used for both body tattoos and eyebrow tattoos.

A saline solution is worked into the skin using a sterile, single-needle tattoo machine, following the existing lines of the tattoo. As the area heals, pigment is drawn towards the surface and removed naturally with the scab.

Yes. When performed by a trained practitioner using sterile equipment and proper aftercare, saline tattoo removal is considered a safe procedure.

Most clients describe it as similar to getting the original tattoo — a manageable level of discomfort rather than sharp pain. We'll talk through what to expect for your specific tattoo at your consultation.

Most sessions take between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the size and complexity of the tattoo.

Typically 4 to 8 sessions for body tattoos, or 3 to 6 for eyebrow tattoos, spaced 8 to 10 weeks apart. It depends on the size, ink density, and age of your tattoo or brows — see our How It Works page for a full breakdown, or book a consultation for an estimate specific to you.

Yes. Because saline removal doesn't target ink pigment with heat or light, it's suitable for all skin tones, unlike some laser methods.

We're based in North London, N11 1FG. Full directions are shared once your consultation is booked.

Saline removal is a lightening process — most clients see a significant fade rather than complete disappearance, though results vary by tattoo and by person. It's commonly used both for full removal over several sessions and for lightening a tattoo enough to prepare it for a cover-up.

Some fading is usually visible once the area has healed, although results continue to improve over the following weeks as your body clears the lifted pigment.

Yes — pigment removed during a session doesn't return. Additional sessions may still be needed to reach the fade or removal you're after.

Some pigment sits deeper in the skin or is made from ink that needs several treatments to lift fully. This is why treatment plans are personalised rather than one-size-fits-all.

Yes. Because saline removal doesn't rely on contrast between ink colour and skin tone to work, it can lift black, coloured, and even white, pastel, or fluorescent ink that laser often struggles to target at all.

Yes — some pigments respond more quickly than others, which is why we personalise every treatment plan rather than giving a single generic timeline.

Saline removal draws ink up and out through the skin using osmosis, with no heat involved. Laser removal shatters ink particles with light so your body absorbs them internally over time. That's why saline avoids the burn and scarring risk that comes with laser heat, and works consistently across every skin tone — see our full comparison for more detail.

Before your session: shave the area yourself 24 to 48 hours beforehand if it has hair — a clean, dry surface helps the saline work evenly. Stop using active skincare ingredients (retinol, AHA/BHA exfoliants, vitamin C) on the area for about a week before, avoid new sun exposure or fake tan, and try to avoid alcohol the day before, as it can increase bruising. Afterwards: keep the area completely dry for 7 to 10 days, blot away any fluid with a clean cloth rather than rubbing it, skip makeup and cosmetic products on the area until it's fully healed, avoid pools, hot tubs, and baths, and hold off on intense exercise for 48 to 72 hours. A scab will form and must be left to shed naturally — picking it affects both the fade and the healing underneath. We'll send you full written instructions to keep for reference.

The treated area may look red, swollen, or slightly tender, and a protective scab usually forms within the first few days — this is a normal part of healing, not a sign of a problem.

Yes. Scabbing is expected and plays an important role in lifting pigment out of the skin as part of the natural healing process.

No. Picking or peeling the scab can interfere with healing, affect the fade, and increase the risk of scarring — it needs to fall off naturally on its own.

Initial healing usually takes around 7 to 14 days, though the skin continues to settle and recover over the following weeks.

Yes, but avoid soaking the treated area and follow the written aftercare instructions we give you at your session.

It's best to avoid direct sun exposure while the skin is healing. Once healed, sunscreen should always be used to protect the treated area.

Only products we've specifically recommended should go on the area while it's healing.

No — avoid makeup and cosmetic products on the area until it's fully healed.

Saline removal doesn't use heat, which is what causes most heat-related burns and scarring with laser methods. As with any treatment involving the skin, following aftercare properly — keeping the area dry and not picking at the scab — matters for how it heals.

It depends on the condition. Treatment isn't recommended if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, have an active skin infection or broken skin over the area, have a history of keloid scarring, or have uncontrolled diabetes or a clotting disorder. This isn't a complete list — we do a full health check at your consultation before confirming suitability.

Most healthy adults are suitable candidates, though some medical conditions may need a closer look before we confirm treatment — that's exactly what your free consultation is for.

Many people with sensitive skin can safely have treatment, but we'll always talk it through at an individual consultation first.

This depends on the treatment area — we're happy to discuss it with you at your consultation.

Consultations are free. Sessions start from £75 for a small tattoo (up to 5 inches), £120 for medium (up to 7 inches), and £210 for large (up to 10 inches). Emergency removal within 12–24 hours of a new tattoo starts from £100. Bigger areas are priced after your free consultation — see our Services page for the full breakdown.

Yes — you pay per treatment session rather than a single upfront fee for the entire removal process.

Yes. A free consultation lets us assess your tattoo, talk through what to expect, and recommend the right treatment plan before anything is booked in.

If you regret a tattoo within the first 12 to 24 hours, our emergency removal service can start lifting the ink before it fully settles. Beyond that window, saline removal still works the same way on tattoos of any age — there's no cut-off point where it stops being an option.

In many cases, yes — saline removal is sometimes used to continue fading pigment that hasn't responded well to laser. The skin needs to be fully healed from any previous treatment first, which we'll check at your consultation.

Yes. Once the skin has healed completely, many clients choose to have a new tattoo or fresh eyebrow work done — saline removal is often used specifically to prepare the skin for this.