Laser Tattoo Removal in Anaheim & Orange County
Laser tattoo removal breaks tattoo ink into tiny particles that your body absorbs naturally, fading the tattoo away. At Neoderma in Anaheim, we've performed tens of thousands of laser treatments since 2001 using the PicoWay laser and the DESCRIBE PFD Patch — which allows up to 4x as many laser passes per visit.
Medically reviewed by Sal Nadkarni, DO · Last updated July 5, 2026
Drag the slider — a “California Girls” neck tattoo, fully cleared at Neoderma.
How does laser tattoo removal work?
The laser delivers light at incredibly fast speeds onto the skin. When aimed at tattoo ink, this laser energy harmlessly passes through the layers of skin to disrupt the ink and break it up into tiny particles. Once the ink is shattered, your body's own immune system does the rest — white blood cells called phagocytes gradually carry the tiny ink particles away, and the tattoo fades over the weeks that follow.
Each treatment session is short — in most cases, it's over in a matter of minutes. Treatments are spaced weeks apart so your body has time to clear the shattered ink particles between visits.
What makes Neoderma faster? The DESCRIBE PFD Patch
When a laser passes over a tattoo, a white, frosty layer forms on the skin — and with conventional treatment, that ends the session. The DESCRIBE Patch is a square of silicone infused with perfluorodecalin (PFD), a completely inert, harmless liquid that lets your medical provider treat your tattoo several times in a single session.
- ✓Up to 4x as many laser passes per visit compared to conventional laser treatment
- ✓A tattoo may clear more quickly with the Patch than without it
- ✓The Patch absorbs laser energy that could otherwise damage your skin
- ✓Patients experience less pain, redness, and swelling after treatment with the Patch
“I go for tattoo removal and I have seen incredible results. I use the PFD patch and they've been the only place I could find that uses it.”
Watch: the award-winning technology that speeds up removal
See how the PicoWay laser and DESCRIBE PFD Patch work together at Neoderma — tap to play.
PicoWay vs. older Q-switched lasers
PicoWay delivers energy in picosecond (trillionth-of-a-second) pulses that shatter ink through a photoacoustic effect — rapid pressure and sound waves that mechanically break the ink into finer particles. Older nanosecond Q-switched lasers rely more on photothermal energy (heat) to fracture ink. Because PicoWay works mainly by sound and pressure rather than heat, it delivers less thermal energy to the surrounding skin — which generally means less tissue damage, less heat stress, and better clearing of stubborn colors like blues and greens.
| PicoWay + PFD Patch (Neoderma) | Conventional Q-switched laser | |
|---|---|---|
| Pulse speed | Picosecond (ultra-short) | Nanosecond |
| How it shatters ink | Photoacoustic — sound & pressure, less tissue damage | Photothermal — mostly heat |
| Passes per visit | Up to 4x more with the PFD Patch | One (limited by skin frosting) |
| Average sessions | ~4–8 | ~8–15 |
| Comfort | Numbing cream + less pain, redness, and swelling with the Patch | Numbing cream only |
| Stubborn colors | Broad color range via photoacoustic effect | Blues/greens often resistant |
How much does laser tattoo removal cost in Anaheim?
Laser tattoo removal at Neoderma starts at $225 per session. Your exact price depends on the size and location of the tattoo, its ink density and colors, and how many sessions it needs — we quote it at your consultation after seeing the tattoo. The DESCRIBE PFD Patch is an additional add-on, priced by the size and area of the tattoo.
Financing available through Cherry and CareCredit — split your treatment into flexible monthly payments. Learn more →
Instant estimate
How big is your tattoo?
Measure your tattoo at its tallest and widest points, in inches — we'll estimate your per-session price before you ever come in.
Outline-only tattoo? If your tattoo isn't fully filled in and is only an outline, we can always measure it and give you your price in office.
Enter both measurements to see your estimate.
Who is a good candidate?
- ✓You have a professional or amateur tattoo you want removed or lightened
- ✓You want an old tattoo faded enough for a cover-up
- ✓You have a cosmetic tattoo (see our dedicated eyebrow & eyeliner removal page)
- ✓You're patient with a multi-session process — full removal takes time
Five-star reviews from tattoo removal patients
“Way better results after just 3 sessions than I did with 6 sessions at my previous clinic”
“10/10!! I come here for tattoo removal and it's amazing. They use something called a "PFD patch" which helps remove the ink way faster … The entire staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable, and you can tell they actually care about their customers. I drive over an hour each way just to come here and it's more than worth it.”
“They get results … transparency of cost”
“Cynthia performed my laser tattoo removal and was very attentive to any questions I had. She is quick and efficient and made me feel comfortable right away. … I was quoted lower prices at other places but went with Neoderma in the end because they get results, the fast response time of the reception staff to book, transparency of cost, and the personal recommendation of my permanent makeup artist. I trust I will get the best results from Neoderma in the least amount of sessions.”
Real results: before & after
Real Neoderma patients, treated with PicoWay and the DESCRIBE PFD Patch at our Anaheim clinic:
More tattoos we've cleared
From finger and neck lettering to large back pieces — a few more real before-and-afters from our Anaheim clinic.
In the treatment room
What to expect during your appointment
Plan to arrive early so we can numb the area before we begin — the laser itself is quick:
| Stage | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Arrive 1 hour early | Topical numbing cream goes on and needs time to take effect before treatment |
| Treatment | The PicoWay laser treatment is completed within minutes; even with multiple PFD Patch passes, most visits are over in minutes |
| Right after | You'll ice the area on and off for about 2 hours |
| Days 1–14 | The area may scab, crust, or flake as your body clears the shattered ink — let it heal on its own |
| Following weeks | The tattoo continues to fade before your next session, once the area has fully healed |
Safety & possible side effects
Laser tattoo removal is performed by our licensed and certified medical providers, and we'll review your health history before treating you. Potential adverse events may include redness, swelling, pigmentary changes, infection, scabbing, scarring, crusting, bruising, itching, flaking, or blistering. The use of the DESCRIBE PFD Patch does not alter these potential adverse events from those encountered with the use of lasers alone — and the Patch absorbs laser energy that could otherwise damage your skin. We'll give you specific aftercare instructions at every visit.
Before & after your treatment
Before your session
- ✓Avoid tanning, sunbathing, and self-tanner on the area for a few weeks — treating tanned or sunburned skin raises the risk of pigment changes
- ✓Keep the skin over the tattoo clean and free of lotion or makeup
- ✓Stay hydrated, and tell us about any medications or health changes
After your session
- ✓Ice the area on and off for about 2 hours
- ✓Wait about 24 hours before bathing or showering the treated area
- ✓No working out, sweating, saunas, or swimming as advised by your medical provider
- ✓Don't scratch, pick, or pop any blisters or scabs — let it heal on its own
- ✓Protect the area from the sun with SPF while it heals
Laser tattoo removal FAQ
How much does laser tattoo removal cost?
Laser tattoo removal at Neoderma starts at $225 per session. The exact price depends on your tattoo's size, location, ink density, and colors, and the DESCRIBE PFD Patch is an optional add-on priced by tattoo size. We give you an exact quote at your consultation, and financing is available through Cherry and CareCredit.
How many sessions does laser tattoo removal take?
On average, older Q-switched (nanosecond) lasers used to take about 8–15 sessions; with the PicoWay picosecond laser, most tattoos clear in roughly 4–8 sessions. Your number still depends on the tattoo's size, ink density, colors, and age — amateur tattoos often clear faster than dense professional work. Because the DESCRIBE PFD Patch allows up to 4x as many laser passes per visit, many tattoos also clear in fewer visits. We'll give you a session estimate at your consultation.
Does laser tattoo removal hurt?
Discomfort is real but manageable. We apply topical numbing cream before treatment, and the PFD Patch reduces pain, redness, and swelling afterward. As one of our patients, Madison W., put it: "The pain level has never gotten any worse, the numbing cream is still working strong even after passes with the PFD patch."
How long does each treatment session take?
Each treatment session is short — in most cases it's over in a matter of minutes. The laser itself works incredibly fast, and even with multiple passes using the PFD Patch, most visits are quick enough to fit into a lunch break.
What is the DESCRIBE PFD Patch?
The DESCRIBE Patch is a square of silicone infused with perfluorodecalin (PFD) — a completely inert, harmless liquid that allows your medical provider to treat your tattoo several times with the laser in a single treatment session, instead of waiting for the skin's white frosting to clear between passes.
Can you remove colored tattoos?
Yes. The PicoWay laser system treats a broad range of ink colors and skin tones using ultra-short picosecond pulses. Stubborn colors like greens and blues generally respond better to picosecond lasers than to older Q-switched technology. We'll assess your specific ink colors at your consultation.
What are the possible side effects?
Potential adverse events are the same as with any laser tattoo removal and may include redness, swelling, pigmentary changes, infection, scabbing, scarring, crusting, bruising, itching, flaking, or blistering. Using the DESCRIBE PFD Patch does not add new risks, and the patch absorbs laser energy that could otherwise damage skin.
How should I prepare for laser tattoo removal?
Avoid tanning, sunbathing, and self-tanner on the area for a few weeks before your session — treating tanned or sunburned skin raises the risk of pigment changes. Come with clean skin over the tattoo (no lotion or makeup), stay hydrated, and let us know about any medications or health changes. We apply topical numbing cream before we begin.
What is aftercare like after laser tattoo removal?
Expect to ice the area on and off for about 2 hours afterward. Keep it clean and dry — wait about 24 hours before bathing or showering the treated area, and avoid working out, sweating, saunas, and swimming as advised by your medical provider. Don't scratch, pick, or pop any blisters or scabs, and protect the area from the sun with SPF while it heals. We give you specific written aftercare at every visit.
Related Treatments
Eyebrow & Eyeliner Tattoo Removal →
Our most-requested specialty: PicoWay removal of microblading, powder brows, and permanent makeup.
Laser Hair Removal →
GentleMax Pro Plus — safe for all skin tones, with built-in cooling for comfort.
Medical-Grade Skin Care →
DiamondGlow, chemical peels, and RF microneedling to keep treated skin healthy.