Laser Tattoo Removal for Melanated Skin: What You Need to Know

Revive Laser Studio
Jul 13
2 min read

If you have brown or deep brown skin and you're considering laser tattoo removal, you’ve probably heard a mix of things — from “it’s not safe” to “lasers don’t work on dark skin.” Let's clear that up.

The truth is: laser tattoo removal can be done safely and effectively on melanated skin — it just requires the right technology, technique, and patience. That said, there are limitations for removal with colour inks, and ink that is lighter than your skin tone.

Why Skin Tone Matters

Melanin is what gives your skin its color. The more melanin you have, the more sensitive your skin can be to certain types of laser light. That’s because melanin also absorbs light energy — and if the laser targets melanin instead of just the tattoo ink, you risk:

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) – dark spots
Hypopigmentation – light spots
Delayed healing or scarring

That’s why not all lasers are safe for deeper skin tones — and why choosing the right wavelength matters.

What We Do Differently

At our studio, we always start conservatively and treat every skin tone with care, but for melanated skin, we specifically:

Use the 1064 nm wavelength, which bypasses most melanin and goes deeper into the skin to target the ink
Work with larger spot sizes (like 8 mm) to spread the energy evenly and reduce surface heat
Start at lower energy settings and adjust slowly over time
Watch your skin’s healing response between sessions before we go stronger

It Takes Time — But It Works

Laser removal on deeper skin may take more sessions than on lighter skin. That’s not because your skin is a problem — it’s because we’re respecting the process and giving your skin time to heal fully between treatments.

After the first couple of sessions, we may space sessions 10–12 weeks apart to reduce the chance of side effects and give your immune system time to flush out broken-down ink. Increasing the amount or frequency of laser treatment sessions is typically not the answer for faster ink clearance.

Aftercare is Everything

The laser does the heavy lifting, but your aftercare is just as important. For melanated skin, it’s essential to:

Use a cold compress for 48 hours after a removal session
Use SPF 50+ every day (yes, even in winter or rainy days)
Avoid picking or scrubbing the treated area
Use gentle, fragrance-free moisturizers to support healing
Let us know if you notice any unusual changes post-treatment

If someone tells you laser tattoo removal isn’t safe for your skin tone — they’re either using the wrong equipment, rushing the process, or just don’t have the experience. As always, we are fully transparent to what our laser, The Hollywood Spectra, can and cannot do.