Immediately post treatment the tattoo is likely to appear white. This soon disappears and the treated area will probably appear red and raised. Sometimes the skin might blister after but scarring is rare.

Occasionally pigment changes in the skin might occur where the skin lightens or darkens for a time after treatment. This is likely to be temporary but can sometimes be a permanent change.

The Q-Switched Ruby laser will most effectively remove black, blue and green shades. The Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser is required to treat reds and will also treat black ink and can be used on naturally darker skin.  Most light colours are extremely difficult to remove. Skin should be totally free of suntan or fake tan in the area to be treated. Dark skin types cannot be treated with the Q-Switched Ruby whatsoever. 

The treatment is not without discomfort but whilst using the laser, a machine that blows out extremely cold air can be directed at the area to numb the skin. Most people liken the sensation to being flicked by an elastic band. If you can tolerate having a tattoo, you should be able to tolerate laser tattoo removal.