Questions to Ask at a Tattoo Removal Consultation

A consultation is not a formality — it is where you find out whether a clinic is honest about lasers, timelines and total cost. Here is what a good consultation covers, the exact questions to ask, and the answers that should make you walk away.

What a good consultation actually covers

A proper assessment looks at the tattoo and at you. Expect the clinician to examine the tattoo's size, ink colours, density and depth, and whether it is layered over an older piece. They should note the tattoo's age and body location, assess your skin type (often described on the Fitzpatrick scale, I–VI), and ask about your health: medications, immune conditions, history of keloid or unusual scarring, allergies, recent sun exposure or tanning, and whether you are pregnant. If nobody asks about your health or looks closely at the tattoo, the estimate that follows is a guess.

Some clinics score your tattoo with the Kirby–Desai scale, a published system that combines skin type, body location, ink colours, ink amount, scarring and layering into a predicted session count. It is not the only way to estimate, but a clinic that can explain how it arrived at its number — by whatever method — is a better sign than one that just names a figure.

Questions about the laser and your ink

• "Which laser will you use, and which wavelengths for my colours?" Black ink needs 1064 nm; reds and oranges need 532 nm; greens and light blues need specific wavelengths such as 585, 650, 694, 755 or 785 nm. If your tattoo has green or sky-blue ink and the clinic only has 1064/532, those colours may not move.
• "Will you do a test spot?" Test spots matter most for permanent makeup, white or flesh-toned ink (which can darken), colourful pieces, and darker skin tones. A small test area, checked after a few weeks, prevents full-area surprises.
• "Who performs the treatment, and what is their training?" In Canada this varies by province and clinic type — dedicated studios, medical spas and physician-led clinics all operate differently. Ask who holds the laser and what experience they have with tattoos like yours.

Questions about sessions and honest expectations

• "What is my realistic session range — and what would make it longer?" Most professional tattoos take 6–10 sessions. A clinic should explain where you fall and why, and admit the range can change once they see how your skin responds.
• "How far apart will sessions be?" Six to eight weeks is standard; longer gaps often improve fading per session. A clinic pushing two-week intervals is optimizing its calendar, not your result.
• "Is complete removal realistic for my tattoo, or should I expect a faint shadow?" Ask directly. See our results and expectations guide for what complete removal honestly means.
• "Can I see healed results — on skin like mine, with colours like mine?" Healed means photographed at least 8 weeks after a session, not the white "frosting" effect filmed during treatment.

Questions about money — do the total-cost math

• "What is the per-session price, and what is my estimated total?" Multiply the per-session price by both ends of the session range. A $150 session that takes 12 visits costs more than a $250 session that takes 7.
• "If I buy a package, what exactly is included?" How many sessions? Do they expire? What happens if you need more sessions than the package holds — and if you need fewer, is anything refunded or transferable? What if you move cities?
• "What is not included?" Numbing, aftercare products, and tax (which varies by province) may be extra. Ask whether a touch-up or final-session policy exists.
• "What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?" Removal runs a year or more; life happens. Know the terms before you prepay.

Questions about aftercare and support

• "What aftercare is included, and who do I contact if I am worried at 10 pm?" You should leave with written instructions (see our aftercare guide) and a way to reach the clinic about a reaction.
• "Do you photograph my progress?" Clinics that document each session can show you objective fading. Ask about their photo consent and privacy practices too — you can decline to have your photos used anywhere but your file.

What to bring

A photo of the tattoo when it was fresh (original colours help the clinic predict behaviour), a list of medications and health conditions, and any deadline you are working toward — a wedding, a job start, or a planned cover-up. Write your questions down and take notes on the estimate. Then, if the piece is large or colourful, get a second consultation elsewhere and compare — the range of answers is itself information.

Frequently asked questions