If you have a green or blue tattoo you would like to lighten or remove, you may have already heard that these colours are the trickiest. It is true. Green and blue inks are among the most stubborn pigments to clear with laser, and they almost always take more sessions than black. The good news is that with the right laser technology and a patient, realistic plan, meaningful fading is achievable for most people.
So, can green and blue tattoos be removed? In short, yes, in most cases they can be faded significantly or removed, but the process is slower and needs a laser that produces the correct wavelengths for these colours. Below we explain why green and blue resist standard lasers, what makes the difference, and what a sensible course of treatment looks like. For the full picture across every pigment, see our complete guide to tattoo removal by ink colour, which this article supports.
Why green and blue inks resist standard lasers
Laser tattoo removal works on a principle called selective photothermolysis. Each ink colour absorbs light most strongly at a particular wavelength. When the laser fires at that matching wavelength, the pigment absorbs the energy, heats rapidly and shatters into tiny fragments that your body can then carry away. The closer the laser wavelength is to the colour’s absorption peak, the more effectively the ink breaks down.
Black ink is the easiest because it absorbs almost every wavelength across the spectrum. Green and blue are a different story. Green pigment absorbs light best in the red part of the spectrum, around 630 to 700 nanometres, while blue sits nearby. Many older or single-wavelength laser systems simply do not produce light in this range with enough power, so the green and blue particles absorb very little energy and barely budge. That is why so many people with multicoloured tattoos find the black and dark sections fade nicely while the green and blue remain frustratingly visible.
The wavelengths that actually target green and blue
To clear green and blue effectively, you need a laser that delivers the right wavelengths. A 694 nm ruby or a 755 nm alexandrite wavelength sits much closer to green’s absorption peak, while blue tones respond to wavelengths in the red and near-infrared range. A laser without coverage in this part of the spectrum will struggle no matter how many sessions you book.
At our Menora clinic we use a dual system that combines picosecond and nano-second (Q-Switched) technology. The Q-Switched laser is highly effective on black and dark inks, while the picosecond laser is what gives us the extra edge on stubborn greens and blues. Matching the laser to the colour, rather than firing the same setting at everything, is central to how we approach coloured tattoos. You can read more about the underlying process on our how laser tattoo removal works page.
How picosecond technology helps with stubborn colours
The difference between a nano-second and a picosecond laser comes down to pulse duration. A picosecond pulse is far shorter, measured in trillionths of a second. This delivers energy so quickly that the pigment shatters more through a photomechanical, almost shockwave-like effect rather than relying purely on heat.
For tough colours like green and blue, that matters in two ways. First, the ink tends to break into smaller particles, which your lymphatic system can clear more readily. Second, the very short pulse can be gentler on the surrounding skin while still hitting the pigment hard. For many people this means more progress on green and blue per session, and often fewer sessions overall than an older laser would need, though the colours still demand patience compared with black.
Ready to find out what is possible for your tattoo?
Every green or blue tattoo is different, so the best next step is an honest assessment. Book a free phone consultation and we will talk through your tattoo, your goals and a realistic plan, with no pressure.
How many sessions, and what results to expect
Most tattoos take somewhere in the range of five to fifteen sessions depending on ink colour, age, depth, density, your skin type and where the tattoo sits on the body. Green and blue almost always land at the higher end of that range, and a tattoo with a lot of saturated green or teal can occasionally take more again. Sessions are spaced roughly six to eight weeks apart so your skin can recover and your body can clear the fragmented ink between visits.
It is important to set realistic expectations. Results appear gradually over weeks and months rather than overnight, because your lymphatic system needs time to flush away the shattered pigment. Some greens and blues fade beautifully to nothing, while others reach a point of significant lightening that may not be a total disappearance. We would always rather tell you that honestly upfront than overpromise.
If your goal is a cover-up rather than complete removal, the path can be shorter. Lightening green and blue enough for a new design to sit over the top often takes fewer sessions than clearing the skin entirely. We offer honest guidance either way, whether you want full removal or a light fade. To see what gradual fading looks like in practice, our before and after gallery is a helpful reference.
What treatment feels like and how we keep you comfortable
People often worry that the tougher colours mean a tougher experience. The sensation is similar regardless of colour, frequently described as like an elastic band flicking the skin. To keep you comfortable we use Zimmer cooling, which chills the skin before, during and after each pass and takes the edge off the heat.
Afterwards, some redness, mild swelling and occasionally blistering are completely normal and part of the healing response. As a nurse-led clinic, medically supervised and with a nursing background, we take aftercare seriously and will guide you through exactly what to do at home. Following the pre and post treatment care advice closely helps your skin heal well and supports the best possible fading between sessions.
Frequently asked questions
Can green and blue tattoos really be removed completely?
In many cases yes, but not always. With the right wavelengths and picosecond technology, green and blue can fade significantly and sometimes clear entirely. Because these are the hardest colours, some tattoos reach strong lightening rather than total removal. A free consultation lets us give you an honest assessment for your specific tattoo.
Why do green and blue need more sessions than black?
Black absorbs almost every laser wavelength, so it shatters easily. Green and blue only absorb light strongly in a narrower part of the spectrum, so each session removes a little less pigment. That means more sessions, spaced six to eight weeks apart, to reach your goal.
Will a picosecond laser work better on my green tattoo?
Often, yes. Picosecond pulses break stubborn pigment into smaller particles that your body clears more easily, which can improve results on green and blue and sometimes reduce the total number of sessions compared with older lasers.
How far apart are sessions for coloured tattoos?
We space sessions about six to eight weeks apart. This gives your skin time to recover and allows your lymphatic system to clear the fragmented ink, which is when most of the visible fading happens. Green and blue may be the hardest colours, but they are far from hopeless. With the right approach you can make real progress. Book your free phone consultation today or call us on 0458 623 292, and let us help you plan the way forward.
Green and blue may be the hardest colours, but they are far from hopeless. With the right approach you can make real progress. Book your free phone consultation today or call us on 0458 623 292, and let us help you plan the way forward.