
How long a tattoo removal appointment takes
Each session is short: a small tattoo can take just a few minutes, a larger piece around twenty to thirty. Complete removal is a series, not one visit. We space sessions roughly eight to twelve weeks apart so your body can clear the ink and heal, and most tattoos need somewhere in the range of six to twelve sessions, sometimes more.
What kind of treatment is laser tattoo removal?
A non-invasive, in-office laser treatment using the Lumenis PiQo4, which combines picosecond and nanosecond pulses across four wavelengths to break down a wide range of ink colors. No incisions and no anesthesia are required, though Pro-Nox is available for comfort.
Where we remove tattoos
We treat tattoos almost anywhere on the body. Pricing follows the size of the tattoo rather than its location, from under one inch up to twelve inches and beyond.
What tattoo removal treats
For unwanted tattoos, or to lighten an existing one enough for a cover-up. Black ink responds best; greens, blues, and some cosmetic inks are more stubborn, and complete removal cannot be guaranteed. A consultation sorts out what is realistic for your tattoo and your skin.
Inside a 15-to-45-minute Tattoo Removal appointment
Our Tattoo Removal Services
How laser tattoo removal works, and the PiQo4 laser we use for it.
What is laser tattoo removal?
A tattoo is permanent because the ink sits too deep for your skin to shed on its own. Laser tattoo removal reaches that ink. At The Spa by Sheena we use the PiQo4, a laser made by Lumenis that fires ultra-short pulses of light straight at the pigment. The light is absorbed by the ink and almost nowhere else, so it can break the tattoo apart without burning the skin around it.
Here is what actually happens under the surface. Each pulse strikes the ink faster than the heat can spread, and that sudden jolt shatters the pigment into particles far smaller than the original. Dermatologists call this a photomechanical, or photoacoustic, effect. Your immune system takes it from there. White blood cells called macrophages collect the tiny fragments and carry them off through the lymphatic system, and the tattoo fades a little more over the weeks that follow.
The PiQo4 is a picosecond and nanosecond laser with four wavelengths, and that combination is the point. Bigger, deeper ink particles respond to the longer nanosecond pulses. The smaller, shallower ones respond to the picosecond pulses. Four wavelengths also let it reach a wider range of ink colors than a single-wavelength device can. It is the same laser behind our PiQo4 laser facial, tuned differently for ink.
What to expect from tattoo removal
Each session takes 5 to 30 minutes depending on tattoo size. The sensation is significantly more intense than getting the tattoo placed. Most patients describe it as hot rubber band snaps or grease splatters. Pro-Nox helps most Level 3 and larger tattoos.
Immediately after, the treated area appears frosted white. Within hours, that resolves and skin becomes red and inflamed. Mild swelling and blistering can occur. Bruising is common on darker or more heavily inked tattoos.
Keep the area clean and dry. Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment if blistering. Avoid sun exposure (critical) and use SPF religiously. Skip swimming, baths, and hot tubs for a week. No picking at scabs or blisters. The tattoo will fade progressively over the months between sessions.

Benefits of laser tattoo removal
COMPLETE REMOVAL
PiQo4 picosecond laser breaks down ink particles so your body clears them naturally—no surgical removal.
ALL INK COLORS
Handles black, red, blue, green, and yellow ink—including colors older Q-switched lasers struggled with.
FRESH START
Erase ink that no longer fits who you are, or prepare for a cover-up tattoo with a faded base.
MINIMAL SCARRING
Picosecond technology causes less thermal damage than older lasers, reducing the risk of visible scarring.
TRANSPARENT PRICING
Tier pricing by size ($99 to $349) with optional Pro-Nox pain management—no hidden fees at booking.
Inside a 15-to-45-minute Tattoo Removal appointment
Inside a tattoo removal appointment
Most people want to know one thing first: does it hurt? It stings. The usual description is a hot rubber band snapped against the skin, pulse after pulse, and it goes quickly. A small tattoo can be done in a few minutes, a larger one in twenty or thirty. It is a sharper feeling than getting the tattoo was, but it is over faster.
If that gives you pause, ask about Pro-Nox. It is a 50/50 blend of nitrous oxide and oxygen that you hold and breathe in yourself, so you stay in control of it. It works within a few breaths and clears your system within minutes of setting it down, which means no grogginess and no need for someone to drive you home. In a study presented to the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, patients using nitrous oxide rated tattoo-removal pain far lower than those relying on numbing cream or injections. We add Pro-Nox for $50 a session.
No tattoo comes off in one visit, and any honest provider will tell you so. A tattoo artist layers ink to make it last, and a laser can only break down so much at a time without harming the skin. So removal is a series. We space sessions roughly eight to twelve weeks apart, because your body needs that long to clear the shattered ink and heal before the next pass.
How many sessions you will need is genuinely hard to predict at the start. It depends on the ink color, how densely and deeply it was applied, how old the tattoo is, where it sits on your body, and your skin type. Black ink tends to clear the fastest. Many tattoos land somewhere in the range of six to twelve sessions, and some need more. Your provider will give you a realistic estimate at your consultation, and you can see the rest of our laser and light treatments if a different approach turns out to fit you better.
Plan for 6 to 12 sessions spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart
Before your first tattoo removal session
Plan for some healing after each session. The treated skin usually looks pink and puffy at first, a bit like a sunburn, and a small tattoo often calms down within a day or two. Blisters and scabs are normal in the days that follow, and they can look worse than they are. Leave them alone. Picking a scab or popping a blister is the single most common cause of a scar, so let your skin do its own work.
Sun is the other thing that matters. Treated skin is vulnerable, and a tan or burn on it raises the odds of a light or dark patch that lingers. Keep the area out of direct sun and covered while it heals, and use a broad-spectrum SPF once the skin has fully closed. Between sessions, gentle care helps, and some clients keep their skin in good shape with regular facials on the areas that are already clear.
A few side effects are worth knowing up front. Temporary changes in skin color are the most common: a treated area can go lighter or darker for a while before it evens out, more often on deeper skin tones, and it usually resolves over several months. Blistering happens. Scarring is uncommon and mostly tied to picking or poor aftercare. Results build gradually, session by session, and we cannot promise that any tattoo will vanish completely. Some ink resists. Greens and blues are stubborn, certain cosmetic and lighter inks can behave unpredictably, and a faint shadow sometimes stays. We would rather tell you that now than oversell it.
After your appointment, see our tattoo removal aftercare guide for step-by-step recovery instructions and what to expect.
VIP members save 10% on every visit.
A few situations mean waiting, or rethinking the plan. We do not treat during pregnancy. Come in without a fresh tan or a sunburn on the area, skip the tanning bed and self-tanner beforehand, and tell us if you take any medication that makes your skin sensitive to light or if you scar easily or form keloids. An active infection, rash, or open skin over the tattoo means we wait until it heals. If your real concern is sun spots or discoloration rather than ink, that is a different treatment, so look at melasma and pigmentation instead. Bring your full medication list to your consultation so a provider can check.
FAQ
Your questions, answered
We’ve answered some of the most common questions below to help make your experience simple, transparent, and stress-free.
Measure the longest dimension of your tattoo—the farthest point of ink to the farthest point of ink. If your tattoo is 5" wide and 2" tall, it's a Level 3 (4"–5.9"). Use a tape measure or ruler before booking. When in doubt, book the higher tier—we'd rather adjust down at the appointment than have you arrive expecting one price and discover you need another. Call (806) 701-5840 if you want help sizing.
How do I measure my tattoo to choose the right tier?
Color add-ons apply on top of the base tier price. Black + 1 color: +$25. Black + 2 colors: +$50. Black + 3 or more colors: +$75. Count every color beyond black, even faded or subtle ones. Colored pigments respond differently to laser energy than black, and color tattoos typically require more sessions for full removal.
What if my tattoo has colors other than black?
Numbing cream forms a barrier on the skin that prevents the laser from reaching the ink effectively. That compromises results and requires more sessions for the same outcome. The same issue applies to cold air or cooling devices during laser firing. For pain management we use Pro-Nox instead, which doesn't interfere with the laser.
Why don't you offer numbing cream for tattoo removal?
Pro-Nox is a self-administered 50/50 blend of nitrous oxide and oxygen that you breathe through a handpiece during treatment for pain management. It takes effect within seconds, wears off within minutes, and you can drive yourself home afterward. It's $50 per session as an add-on. Most patients getting Level 3+ tattoos add Pro-Nox; smaller tattoos are often tolerable without it.
What is Pro-Nox and how much does it cost?
The price you pay reflects the actual size and complexity of your tattoo, not what you booked. If you book Level 2 with no color add-on but arrive with a 5" tattoo containing two colors, the price will be adjusted up to Level 3 + $50 color add-on at the appointment. Measure carefully and count colors honestly before booking. Call (806) 701-5840 if you're unsure—we'd rather help you book correctly than surprise you at check-in.
What happens if I book the wrong tier or forget a color add-on?
We use the PiQo4 picosecond laser, which delivers extremely fast pulses (one trillionth of a second each) that shatter tattoo ink into particles small enough for your body's immune system to clear naturally over the following weeks. Multiple sessions are needed because each session breaks down a portion of the ink.
How does laser tattoo removal work?
Most tattoos require 6–12 sessions for full removal, spaced 10 to 12+ weeks apart. Some clear faster (lighter inks, less dense tattoos); some take more (dense black, very old tattoos, multi-color). The longer spacing allows your body to fully clear the fragmented ink between sessions, which protects the final result.
How many sessions will I need to remove a tattoo?
Each laser pulse feels like hot grease snapping against skin. Sessions are quick (5–30 minutes depending on tattoo size). We do not offer topical numbing cream or cooling devices for tattoo removal—both prevent the laser from reaching the ink effectively and would compromise your results. For pain management we offer Pro-Nox as a $50 add-on: a 50/50 nitrous oxide and oxygen blend you self-administer through a handpiece during treatment. It takes effect within seconds, wears off within minutes, and you can drive yourself home. Most patients getting Level 3+ tattoos add Pro-Nox.
Does laser tattoo removal hurt?
Most tattoos achieve complete or near-complete clearance after a full series. Some stubborn inks (especially yellows, certain greens, white ink) may leave faint residual. We'll set realistic expectations at consultation based on your specific tattoo's age, ink colors, and depth.
Will my tattoo be completely gone?
Tattoo removal is priced per session by tattoo size: Level 1 (0"–1") $99, Level 2 (1.1"–3.9") $149, Level 3 (4"–5.9") $199, Level 4 (6"–7.9") $249, Level 5 (8"–9.9") $299, Level 6 (10"–11.9") $349, Level 7 (12"+) by consultation. Color add-ons apply: +$25 for one additional color, +$50 for two, +$75 for three. Pro-Nox pain management is an optional $50 add-on. Most tattoos need 6–12 sessions total.
How much does tattoo removal cost in Lubbock?
Treated area will be red, swollen, and tender for 1–3 days. Possible blistering or scabbing for 7–14 days—do not pick. Keep area clean with mild soap, apply healing ointment, cover with non-stick dressing for the first few days. Avoid sun exposure, swimming, hot tubs, and excessive sweating for 1–2 weeks. We provide detailed aftercare.
What's the recovery from tattoo removal?
PiQo4 handles all standard tattoo ink colors including blue, green, and yellow—colors that older Q-switched lasers struggled with. White ink, fluorescent ink, and metallic inks remain difficult to fully clear. We'll evaluate your specific tattoo at consultation.
Can all tattoo colors be removed?
Properly performed laser tattoo removal rarely scars—the picosecond technology specifically minimizes thermal damage. The biggest scarring risk comes from picking at scabs during healing. Pre-existing scarring from the original tattooing process won't be removed by the laser. Most patients end with smooth skin.
Will tattoo removal leave a scar?
10 to 12+ weeks between sessions. Skin and lymphatic system need that time to clear the fragmented ink before the next session can work effectively. Going sooner doesn't speed up clearance and can stress the skin. Some patients with stubborn ink benefit from even longer intervals.
How long should I wait between sessions?
Yes—but most cover-up tattoos still benefit from at least 2–3 laser sessions to fade the original tattoo first. A faded base gives the new tattoo more flexibility in color and design. If you're planning a cover-up, talk to your laser provider and your tattoo artist together.
Can I cover my tattoo with another tattoo instead?
We commonly do partial fade sessions (3–4 instead of full removal series) to prepare for cover-up tattoos. Pricing is per session—you stop when you've reached your fade goal. We'll coordinate with your tattoo artist on the desired fade level if helpful.
What if I want to fade my tattoo for a cover-up?
Book a complimentary consultation. Bring the tattoo (or photos if it's a sensitive location). We'll evaluate size, ink, age, and your skin, then quote per-session pricing and estimate total sessions. Call (806) 701-5840 or book online.
How do I book a tattoo removal consultation?
SEND A MESSAGE
Questions about a treatment?
Ask about pricing, candidacy, or which treatment fits your goals — we reply within one business day. For faster answers, call or text (806) 701-5840.
VISIT & HOURS
Visit your Lubbock med spa.
8713 Milwaukee Ave #200 in South Lubbock — free parking out front. Book a 30-minute consultation. No pressure, no upselling.
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