Laser Tattoo Removal in Reston, VA: Serving Northern Virginia and Washington DC

At The Naderi Center in Reston, Virginia, laser tattoo removal is performed by our licensed medical master aesthetician and certified laser technician, Thifany Arce. We use Pico Majesty, one of the most advanced picosecond lasers available, engineered in Korea by Wontech, with one of the fastest pulse times of any picosecond laser. It fades black, blue, green, red, orange and yellow inks on every skin tone, from fair to deep.

Not all tattoo removal lasers are created equal. Many deliver too much heat, which can damage the skin, leave scars and take more sessions to fade the ink. Pico Majesty’s ultra-short pulse breaks ink into particles fine enough for your body to clear, with very little heat on the skin around it. Four wavelengths let us match the laser to the colors in your tattoo, whether your goal is to fade it as much as possible or lighten it for a cover-up. Sessions start at $225, and we do not upcharge for different ink colors.

4wavelengths, matched to your ink colors

6 to 10+sessions for most professional tattoos

From $225per session, any ink color

Book a tattoo consultation

FDA-cleared for tattoo removal · Physician-led practice · Every skin tone, fair to deep

Every ink color · Every skin tone

Black Ink
Color Ink
Cover-Up Fading
Cosmetic Tattoos

One price for every color

Laser Tattoo Removal Pricing

Full price table

Tattoo removal price, per session, any ink color

Up to 1 sq in$225

Up to 4 sq in$250

Up to 9 sq in$375

Up to 16 sq in$500

Up to 25 sq in$625

Up to 36 sq in$750

10% off a series of 620% off a series of 12Larger tattoos from $850No extra charge for color

Quick answers

Laser Tattoo Removal at a Glance

How does it work?

Pico Majesty fires pulses about a quarter of a billionth of a second long. They break tattoo ink into tiny particles, and your body clears those particles over the following weeks, so the tattoo fades a little more after each session.

How many sessions will I need?

Most professional tattoos take 6 to 10 or more sessions, spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart. Amateur and older, already faded tattoos often take fewer. What affects the number.

Does it hurt?

It feels like quick snaps against the skin, often compared to a rubber band. We apply numbing cream first, and cooling during and after keeps you comfortable.

Which colors can you treat?

Black, brown, blue, green and purple at 1064 nm, and red, orange and yellow at 532 nm. Dye handpieces at 595 nm and 660 nm add options for stubborn sky-blue and green ink.

Is it safe for my skin tone?

Yes. We treat every skin tone, from very fair to deep. Pico Majesty is FDA-cleared at 1064 nm for dark inks on all skin types, and we adjust settings for skin that darkens easily.

Who performs it?

Thifany Arce, our licensed medical master aesthetician and certified laser technician, performs laser tattoo removal at our Reston office. Meet Thifany.

How much does it cost?

$225 to $750 a session for tattoos up to 36 square inches, and from $850 for larger ones. Every ink color is the same price. A series of 6 sessions is 10% off, and a series of 12 is 20% off. See all prices.

Is there a consultation fee?

Yes. Your tattoo consultation with Thifany is $100, and the fee goes toward your treatment.

Where?

All treatments are done at our Reston, VA office. Consultations are available in Reston and Chevy Chase, MD.

How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?

Tattoo ink sits in the dermis, the deeper layer of the skin, in particles too large for your body to remove on its own. The laser doesn’t lift the ink out. It sends very short pulses of light that the ink absorbs, and those pulses break it into smaller pieces. Your immune system then carries the pieces away over the following weeks, so the tattoo fades a little more after each session.

How short the pulse is makes the difference. Older Q-switched lasers fire in nanoseconds, or billionths of a second, which is long enough for heat to build. They crack ink into larger fragments and heat the skin around it. Picosecond lasers fire pulses 10 to 20 times shorter. Wontech rates Pico Majesty’s main pulse at about 250 picoseconds, so it breaks ink into much finer particles, mostly through a pressure wave instead of heat. Finer particles are easier for your body to clear, which generally means fewer sessions and less irritation to the skin around the tattoo.

Graphic comparing laser pulse lengths: Q-switched lasers about 5,000 picoseconds, earlier picosecond lasers about 450 to 750, Pico Majesty about 250 picoseconds

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Engineered in Korea

Why We Use Pico Majesty for Tattoo Removal

Most tattoos hold more than one color, and each color absorbs light differently. A laser with a single wavelength can fade some inks well and barely touch others. Pico Majesty has four:

1064 nmBlack, brown, dark blue, green and purple inks, on every skin tone
532 nmRed, orange and yellow inks
595 nmDye handpiece for stubborn sky-blue ink
660 nmDye handpiece for stubborn green ink

Pico Majesty is FDA-cleared for tattoo removal, with dark inks cleared on all skin types (Fitzpatrick I to VI) and red, orange and yellow inks on skin types I to III. It is made by Wontech, a Korean company that has built medical lasers since 1999 and sells them in more than 50 countries. We also use it for melasma, dark spots and skin rejuvenation. Learn more about Pico Majesty.

Tattoo ink guide: 1064 nm treats black, brown, blue, green and purple inks in all skin types; 532 nm treats red, orange and yellow inks; 595 and 660 nm dye handpieces treat stubborn sky-blue and green inks

Before you book tattoo removal anywhere

Don’t Choose Your Tattoo Removal on Price Alone

Tattoo removal lasers are not all the same, and an ad rarely tells you which one you’ll get. A low price per session can cost more in the end if the laser needs extra sessions, can’t reach your ink colors, or leaves your skin scarred.

Older laser technologyMany offices still use nanosecond lasers. They break ink into larger pieces with more heat, so tattoos often take more sessions.

Unverified machinesSome low-cost devices are not FDA-cleared for tattoo removal, and their real power and pulse length are hard to confirm.

One wavelength for every colorA single-wavelength laser can’t properly target every ink. Red, yellow, green and blue may barely fade.

Damage that lastsThe wrong laser or settings can leave scarring, light or dark patches, or a ghost outline that is harder to treat later.

Ask any provider before you book

Which laser will you use, and is it FDA-cleared for tattoo removal?
Is it a picosecond laser or an older nanosecond laser?
Which wavelengths does it have for my ink colors?
Who performs the treatment, and what is their laser training?
How many sessions should I expect, and what will the full course cost?

What you get at The Naderi Center

Pico Majesty, an FDA-cleared picosecond laser for tattoo removal
Four wavelengths, including dye handpieces for stubborn blue and green ink
A licensed medical master aesthetician and certified laser technician, and a test spot for tricky inks
One price for every ink color, with the full plan and cost before you start

Book a tattoo consultation

How Many Sessions Will My Tattoo Take?

Most professional tattoos take 6 to 10 or more sessions, spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart, so a full course often runs a year or longer. Amateur tattoos and older, already faded tattoos often need fewer. Sessions can’t be rushed: your body needs those weeks to clear the ink broken up in each one, and treating sooner adds risk to the skin without speeding up results.

At your consultation we look at your tattoo’s colors, density, location and age, and at your skin tone. Then we estimate your number of sessions and give you the full cost before you start.

Graphic of six factors that affect how many tattoo removal sessions you need: ink colors, amount of ink, location, age of the tattoo, layers and scarring, and skin tone

Illustration of a floral tattoo on a woman's shoulder lightening over a series of laser sessions

Illustration of how a tattoo lightens over a series of sessions.

What to expect over your series

Each session fades the tattoo a little more. Dark outlines and heavy shading usually lighten first, and some colors take longer than others. Many tattoos fade until they are hard to see. Some leave a faint shadow of the design or a slight change in skin texture, and some colors may not clear completely.

We’ll tell you at your consultation what is realistic for your tattoo, whether your goal is to fade it as much as possible or lighten it enough for new artwork.

Tattoos We Treat

Black and dark ink

Black, dark blue and gray ink respond best to laser removal. The 1064 nm wavelength treats them on every skin tone.

Colorful tattoos

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple each need the right wavelength. Pico Majesty’s four wavelengths cover nearly every color, at the same price as black.

Fading for a cover-up

If you’re planning new artwork over an old tattoo, a few sessions can lighten it enough for your tattoo artist to work with. Many patients bring their artist’s advice on how light it needs to be.

Removing part of a tattoo

A name, a date or one element of a larger piece can be treated on its own while the rest of the tattoo stays.

Cosmetic tattoos

Permanent eyebrows, microblading and lip liner often contain white, pink or flesh-tone pigments that can turn darker when lasered. We always test a small area first and decide with you whether laser is the right choice.

Started removal elsewhere?

If your tattoo has stopped fading after sessions somewhere else, a different laser or wavelength may help. Bring your treatment history to your consultation and we’ll give you an honest assessment.

Clinical results

Laser Tattoo Removal Before & After Photos

Each pair shows the same patient before treatment (left) and after (right), treated with Pico Majesty.

Blue ink tattoo on the back.

Black and pink tattoo on the forearm, with most of the black shading faded.

Clinical photos courtesy of Wontech, the laser’s manufacturer, and one of its distributors. These are not patients of The Naderi Center. Individual results vary.

What Happens at Your Tattoo Removal Appointment?

Your Consultation

We measure and photograph your tattoo, review your health history and medications, and talk about your goal: fading it as much as possible, or lightening it for a cover-up. You leave with an estimate of your sessions and the full cost. For cosmetic tattoos and tricky inks, we treat a small test area first. The consultation is $100, and the fee goes toward your treatment.

Before Treatment

We cleanse the area and apply numbing cream, then give it time to work. You’ll wear protective eyewear during treatment.

During Treatment

The laser feels like quick snaps against the skin. A small tattoo takes a few minutes, and a large one up to about 30 minutes. The ink turns white right after each pass, which is normal and fades within about half an hour.

After Treatment

We cool the area, apply a healing ointment and cover it with a dressing. You’ll go home with aftercare instructions, and we book your next session 6 to 8 weeks out.

Healing and Aftercare After Tattoo Removal

Most people go back to work and normal life the same day. The treated area heals over 1 to 2 weeks.

Minutes afterThe ink turns white, then fades back within about half an hour.

Days 1 to 3Redness, swelling and tenderness, sometimes small blisters. Keep the area covered.

Weeks 1 to 2Light scabs heal. Keep the skin moisturized and out of the sun.

Weeks 6 to 8Your body clears the broken-up ink, and you’re ready for the next session.

Keep it clean and covered

Keep the dressing on for the first day. Then wash gently with mild soap and water, pat dry, apply a thin layer of healing ointment and cover the area for the first few days.

Blisters and scabs

Blisters and light scabs are a normal part of healing. Don’t pop, pick or scratch them. Let them heal on their own to lower the risk of scarring.

Sun protection

Keep the area out of the sun while it heals, then use SPF 30 or higher on it between sessions. Tanned skin raises the risk of light or dark patches.

Swimming and soaking

Avoid pools, hot tubs, baths and the ocean until the skin has fully healed. Showers are fine.

Exercise

Skip hard workouts and heavy sweating for 24 to 48 hours.

When to call us

Call us if you notice spreading redness, increasing pain, pus or a fever, or if anything about your healing worries you.

How Much Does Laser Tattoo Removal Cost in Reston?

Laser tattoo removal at The Naderi Center costs $225 to $750 a session for tattoos up to 36 square inches, and from $850 for larger tattoos. Every ink color is the same price. A series of 6 sessions is 10% off, and a series of 12 is 20% off.

Tattoo removal, any ink colorPriced by size. 10% off a series of 6, 20% off a series of 12.

Tattoo size	Per session	6 sessions10% off	12 sessions20% off
Up to 1 square inchA postage stamp	$225	$1,215	$2,160
Up to 4 square inches2 × 2 inches	$250	$1,350	$2,400
Up to 9 square inches3 × 3 inches, a sticky note	$375	$2,025	$3,600
Up to 16 square inches4 × 4 inches, about palm size	$500	$2,700	$4,800
Up to 25 square inches5 × 5 inches	$625	$3,375	$6,000
Up to 36 square inches6 × 6 inches	$750	$4,050	$7,200
Larger than 36 square inchesSleeves, back pieces	From $850	Quoted at consultation

We measure your tattoo at your consultation and tell you how many sessions to expect. The smallest size, $225, is the minimum per session.

No color surchargeRed, yellow, green and every other ink color cost the same as black.

Series savings10% off a series of 6 sessions and 20% off a series of 12.

$100 consultationThe fee goes toward your treatment. We tell you how many sessions to expect before you start, so the total is clear up front.

FinancingMonthly payments are available through Cherry.

Book a tattoo consultation

Who Performs Laser Tattoo Removal at The Naderi Center?

Laser tattoo removal at our Reston office is performed by Thifany Arce, our licensed medical master aesthetician and certified laser technician. Laser companies feature our patients’ results.

Thifany Arce

Licensed medical master aesthetician
Certified laser technician

Thifany has worked in medical aesthetics for many years and performs most of the laser and skin treatments at our Reston office, including laser tattoo removal with Pico Majesty, Morpheus8, Sciton BBL, 3D Miracle, laser hair removal, microneedling and chemical peels. She is trained to treat a wide range of skin types and concerns, including hyperpigmentation, acne, aging skin and uneven texture.

Licensed master aesthetician and certified laser technician
Many years of experience in medical aesthetics
Trained to treat a wide range of skin types and tones
Builds a home skin care routine for each patient to protect and extend results

Read Thifany’s full bio

Your plan is set at your consultation. If laser removal isn’t the right choice for your tattoo, we’ll tell you.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Laser Tattoo Removal?

Laser tattoo removal works on every skin tone, from very fair to deep. You’re likely a good candidate if you have:

A tattoo you no longer want, professional or amateur
A tattoo you’d like lightened for a cover-up
A name, date or part of a design you want removed
A tattoo that stopped fading after treatment elsewhere
Permanent eyebrows, microblading or lip liner you’d like faded, after a test spot

There is no minimum age. Patients under 18 are welcome when a parent comes with them and signs the consent form.

Who should wait

Pregnant or breastfeeding
A tattoo that hasn’t fully healed yet
An active infection, open wound, sunburn, fresh tan or self-tanner in the area
Isotretinoin (Accutane) in the last 6 months
A history of gold therapy, which can cause permanent darkening of the skin with these lasers
Light-sensitizing medications or a tendency to form keloid scars

Bring a list of your medications and supplements to your consultation.

Is Laser Tattoo Removal Safe? Risks and Side Effects

Pico Majesty is FDA-cleared for tattoo removal. Like any laser treatment, tattoo removal has side effects, and most are temporary:

Redness, swelling and tenderness for a few days
Pinpoint bleeding, blisters or light scabs while the skin heals
Lighter or darker patches of skin, more likely with sun exposure or in deeper skin tones, usually fading over months
Darkening of white, pink or flesh-tone cosmetic inks
A faint shadow of the design or slight texture change
Rarely, scarring or an allergic reaction to released ink

An experienced provider, the right wavelength and settings for your ink and skin, enough time between sessions, and careful aftercare keep these risks low.

Where to Get Laser Tattoo Removal Near Reston, VA

Reston, Virginia

1850 Town Center Parkway, Pavillion II, Suite 551
Reston, VA 20190
(703) 481-0002

All laser tattoo removal treatments are done here. Easy to reach from Herndon, Great Falls, McLean, Vienna, Ashburn, Fairfax and Arlington.

Chevy Chase, Maryland

5454 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1655
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(301) 222-2020

Patients from Bethesda, Potomac and Washington DC can have their tattoo consultation here, then their treatments in Reston.

Laser Tattoo Removal FAQs

How does laser tattoo removal work?

The laser sends very short pulses of light that tattoo ink absorbs. The pulses break the ink into tiny particles, and your immune system clears them over the following weeks, so the tattoo fades a little more after each session.

How many sessions does laser tattoo removal take?

Most professional tattoos take 6 to 10 or more sessions. Amateur tattoos and older, already faded tattoos often take fewer. The number depends on the ink colors, how much ink there is, where the tattoo is, its age, any layering or scarring, and your skin tone. We estimate it at your consultation.

How far apart are tattoo removal sessions?

Sessions are spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart. Your body needs that time to clear the ink broken up in each session, and treating sooner adds risk to the skin without speeding up results.

Does laser tattoo removal hurt?

It feels like quick snaps against the skin, often compared to a rubber band. We apply numbing cream before treatment, and cooling during and after keeps you comfortable. Most sessions take only a few minutes.

Can every tattoo color be removed?

Pico Majesty treats nearly every color: black, brown, blue, green and purple at 1064 nm, red, orange and yellow at 532 nm, and stubborn sky-blue and green with its 595 nm and 660 nm dye handpieces. White, flesh-tone and some cosmetic inks are harder and can darken, so we test those first.

Can a tattoo be removed completely?

Not always. Many tattoos fade until they are hard to see. Some leave a faint shadow of the design or a slight change in skin texture, and some colors may not clear completely. We tell you at your consultation what is realistic for your tattoo.

Is laser tattoo removal safe for dark skin?

Yes. Pico Majesty is FDA-cleared at 1064 nm for dark inks on all skin types (Fitzpatrick I to VI). This wavelength passes through much of the skin's own pigment, and the very short pulse creates little heat. We use conservative settings for skin that darkens easily, which can add a few sessions.

Is laser tattoo removal safe for fair or light skin?

Yes. Laser tattoo removal works on every skin tone, and fair and light skin is well suited to it. Red, orange and yellow inks are FDA-cleared at 532 nm for lighter skin types (Fitzpatrick I to III).

Will laser tattoo removal leave a scar?

Scarring is rare when the right laser and settings are used and the skin is allowed to heal between sessions. Picking at scabs or blisters, sun exposure and sessions spaced too closely raise the risk. Some tattoos already have scarring from when they were applied, which the laser can't remove.

How much does laser tattoo removal cost in Reston?

At The Naderi Center, laser tattoo removal costs $225 to $750 a session based on size, and tattoos larger than 36 square inches start at $850. Every ink color is the same price. A series of 6 sessions is 10% off, and a series of 12 is 20% off. Monthly payments are available through Cherry.

Is there a consultation fee for tattoo removal?

Yes. Your tattoo consultation with Thifany is $100, and the fee goes toward your treatment. At the consultation we measure your tattoo, estimate your sessions and give you the full cost before you start.

Do colored tattoos cost more to remove?

No. We price by the size of the tattoo, not the color, so red, yellow and green ink cost the same per session as black.

Why not just choose the cheapest tattoo removal?

Price per session doesn't tell you which laser you're getting. Older nanosecond lasers and devices that aren't FDA-cleared for tattoo removal can need more sessions, miss some ink colors or scar the skin, so a cheaper option can cost more overall. Ask any provider which laser they use, whether it is FDA-cleared for tattoo removal, and which wavelengths it has for your ink colors.

Can you fade a tattoo for a cover-up?

Yes. A few sessions can lighten an old tattoo enough for a tattoo artist to cover it with new art, often far fewer than it takes to fade a tattoo as much as possible. Many patients ask their artist how light the old tattoo needs to be.

Can you remove eyebrow tattoos or microblading?

Often, yes, but cosmetic tattoos need extra care. Permanent eyebrows, microblading and lip liner often contain white, pink or flesh-tone pigments that can turn darker when lasered. We always treat a small test area first and decide with you whether laser is the right choice.

Can you remove just part of a tattoo?

Yes. A name, a date or one element of a larger tattoo can be treated on its own while the rest stays.

I started tattoo removal somewhere else. Can I switch?

Yes. If your tattoo stopped fading, a different laser or wavelength may help. Bring your treatment history, including the number of sessions and the dates, and we'll give you an honest assessment at your consultation.

What should I do after a tattoo removal session?

Keep the dressing on for the first day, then wash gently, apply a thin layer of healing ointment and keep the area covered for a few days. Don't pick at blisters or scabs, keep the area out of the sun, and avoid swimming and soaking until it heals.

When will I see results from tattoo removal?

Most people see some fading within a few weeks of the first session as the body clears the broken-up ink. The tattoo keeps lightening over the series, with each session building on the last.

Who performs laser tattoo removal at The Naderi Center?

Thifany Arce, our licensed medical master aesthetician and certified laser technician, performs laser tattoo removal at our Reston office. She also performs most of our other laser and skin treatments, including Morpheus8, Sciton BBL and laser hair removal.

Can teenagers get laser tattoo removal?

Yes. There is no minimum age. Patients under 18 are treated when a parent comes with them and signs the consent form.

Where can I get laser tattoo removal near Reston, Herndon or McLean?

At The Naderi Center's Reston office, 1850 Town Center Parkway, Pavillion II, Suite 551, Reston, VA 20190. It's a short drive from Herndon, McLean, Great Falls, Vienna, Ashburn and Fairfax. Call (703) 481-0002 or book online.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Shervin Naderi, MD, FACS, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Last reviewed October 2026.