If your tattoo is more than just black linework, you have probably wondered whether all that colour will cost extra to remove. It is a fair question, and the honest answer is that yes, coloured ink often does add to the price. Colours generally need more sessions and the right laser wavelengths to break down, and that extra work is reflected in the total cost of your course.
The reason comes down to physics rather than anything mysterious. Different ink colours absorb different wavelengths of laser light, so a single laser cannot treat every colour equally well. Some colours, particularly greens and blues, are simply more stubborn than black. Below we explain why that is, which colours tend to cost more, and how a dual-laser approach gives coloured tattoos the best realistic chance of clearing. This is also why a personalised consultation matters so much when colour is involved.
Why colour responds differently to the laser
Laser tattoo removal works by sending light into the skin, where the ink absorbs it and shatters into tiny fragments that your lymphatic system gradually carries away. The catch is that ink only absorbs light at certain wavelengths. A colour absorbs the wavelengths opposite to it on the colour spectrum and reflects its own, which is exactly why it looks the colour it does.
Black is the easy case, it absorbs essentially all wavelengths, which is why black ink fades fastest and is the most straightforward to remove. Colours are pickier. They only respond to the specific wavelength that matches them, so removing a multi-coloured tattoo means using more than one laser setting and, usually, more sessions to work through each colour. That added complexity is the core reason coloured removal tends to cost more. If you want the broader view of everything that shifts the price, our guide on tattoo removal cost factors covers it in full.
Which colours cost more to remove
As a general guide, colours fall into a rough order of difficulty.
Black is the fastest and most cost-effective to remove. Darker shades and dense blacks respond well to the right laser. Reds, oranges and warmer tones often respond reasonably too, depending on the exact pigments used.
Greens and blues are the notorious ones. They are the most stubborn colours and typically need the most sessions, which makes a tattoo heavy in these shades more expensive to clear than an equivalent black piece. Because every tattoo uses a different blend of pigments, the only way to know how your specific colours will behave is to have them assessed. Our wider guide to how different ink colours affect removal goes deeper into colour-by-colour behaviour.
How a dual laser system handles colour
This is where the right equipment makes a genuine difference. We use a dual system that combines a picosecond laser with a nano-second (Q-Switched) laser, and the two complement each other.
The Q-Switched laser is highly effective on black ink, making short work of the parts of your tattoo that respond most readily. The picosecond laser delivers its energy in ultra-short pulses that are particularly good at breaking down stubborn greens and blues. Having both means we can match the tool to the colour rather than forcing a single laser to do everything. For a coloured tattoo, that combination gives you the most efficient realistic path, fewer wasted sessions and better progress on the colours that usually resist treatment.
Wondering how your colours will respond?
Coloured tattoos vary so much that a personalised look is the only way to know. Book a free phone consultation and we will assess your ink and give you honest, tailored guidance with no obligation.
Setting realistic expectations for coloured tattoos
It is important to be straight about coloured removal. Even with the right lasers, stubborn colours can take longer and need more sessions than you might hope, and certain pigments are simply harder to shift than others. Most tattoos take five to fifteen sessions spaced six to eight weeks apart, and a heavily coloured piece often sits toward the upper end of that range.
Results come gradually, over weeks and months, as your body clears the fragmented ink. You will likely notice the black and easier areas lightening before the greens and blues catch up. Some redness, mild swelling and occasionally blistering after a session are all normal, and we use Zimmer cooling to keep you comfortable during treatment. We will never promise a guaranteed result or an exact session count for coloured ink, because that would not be honest, what we will give you is realistic guidance and careful, consistent treatment.
Why nurse-led care matters with colour
Treating coloured ink well takes judgement, choosing the right wavelength, the right settings and the right pacing for your skin. Our clinic is dedicated solely to tattoo removal and is medically supervised, with registered nurse Marissa, who trained under Lorenzo Kunze of the iLaser Academy, overseeing your care. That expertise matters most precisely when a tattoo is complex.
Good aftercare between sessions also supports healthy healing, which keeps a longer coloured course on track, our pre and post-treatment care guide explains exactly what to do. And if your goal is a cover-up rather than complete clearance, a light fade may need fewer sessions, which can bring the cost down. For the full pricing picture across every type of tattoo, see our complete guide to tattoo removal costs in Perth.
Book your free consultation and we will give you a clear, personalised plan for your coloured tattoo.
Frequently asked questions
Does coloured tattoo removal cost more than black?
Generally yes. Coloured ink, especially greens and blues, needs specific wavelengths and usually more sessions than black, which absorbs laser light most readily. That extra work is reflected in the overall cost of removing a coloured tattoo.
Which tattoo colours are hardest to remove?
Greens and blues are typically the most stubborn and need the most sessions. Black fades fastest. Other colours fall in between depending on the exact pigments used, which is why an in-person assessment is the most reliable guide.
Can a single laser remove all tattoo colours?
Not effectively. Different colours absorb different wavelengths, so a one-laser approach struggles with variety. We use a dual picosecond and nano-second (Q-Switched) system, the Q-Switched for black and the picosecond for stubborn greens and blues, to treat coloured tattoos efficiently.
How many sessions does a coloured tattoo take?
Most tattoos take five to fifteen sessions spaced six to eight weeks apart, and coloured pieces often sit toward the higher end. We cannot promise an exact number, but we will give you a realistic range at your free consultation.