⟡ FAQs ⟡

⬩ What is your SHOP RATE?
Our shop base rate is $200 an hour.
Minimum rate is $120.

However, each artist reserves the right to charge outside the base rate as they see fit. Any questions on pricing can be brought up directly with your artist during your consultation.

⬩ How can I get a price estimate?
We cannot give price estimates over the phone or email. There are many different factors that go into pricing a tattoo. For example we need to consider size, detail, placement on the body, colour or black and grey. We also need to consider how much drawing will need to be done for the tattoo.

The best way to get a price quote is to book a free consultation with the tattooist you would like to work with. You can do this by calling the shop, or Request Appointment.

⬩ Can I get a tattoo if I am under 18 and I have my parent's permission?
No. You must be 18 years of age or older and have proper (government-issued) identification to get a tattoo.
We require 2 pieces of I.D. for anyone who looks younger than 25.

⬩ Do you take WALK-IN appointments?
YES! We are so happy to say, we are accepting walk-in appointments again. Walk-in appointments are available on a case by case basis and availability will depend on what the schedule is like that day. Feel free to stop by or call to check availability.

⬩ How do I make an APPOINTMENT?
You may request a consultation here and include the following:

Subject matter of tattoo

Sizing (does not have to be exact, you can use examples for scale)

Placement (where on the body you want it)

Reference photos (if you do not have a URL please attach uploaded images to the same email thread. Sending multiple emails on different threads will slow down the booking process)

Budget (if you have one)

Someone will get back to you ASAP. All requests must be confirmed by the artist before any booking can take place. Sometimes this can take a few days as there are many request for our artists to go through. Please be patient with us.

Email us back if you have not received a response in 72 hours. We then will follow up.

⬩ Do I need to pay a DEPOSIT in order to book?
Yes, a deposit is required in order to book an appointment. The amount will depend on the tattoo and how long it is projected to take. Deposits start at $50 minimum and can go up from there. The deposit holds your appointment time and comes off of the price of the final session of your tattoo. It also goes toward any research and drawing for your tattoo. If you absolutely need to reschedule your appointment, we require a minimum of 72 hours notice in order for you to move your deposit to a new appointment date. Deposits are non-refundable. They are also non-transferable between artists and clients once the design process has begun. It is the tattoo artist who would receive the deposit amount if you fail to make or complete your appointment, not the shop. Please call the shop to cancel or reschedule an appointment.

⬩ What form of PAYMENT do you accept?
We accept cash, debit, MasterCard, Visa and Amex. No cheques and no Discover cards. Identification will be required for credit card purchases.

⬩ Do you sell GIFT CARDS?
Yes! Gift cards are available for purchase at our front desk. They never expire either. Gift cards can be used for tattoos, deposits, tattoo removal as well as shop merch. They are however non refundable, and do not guarantee you will receive an appointment with your desired artist.

⬩ How do I CARE for my tattoo?
See our aftercare page for instructions and recommendations

⬩ ACCESSIBILITY:
Because we are in a historic building, the shop has not been modified for wheel chair accessibility. We have a multi level shop. 4 stairs to the main floor of our studio, one flight of stairs to access the basement room, and 3 fights of stairs to our upstairs studio space, which is also where Vancouver Tattoo Removal operates. If in need of accommodation please contact our front desk directly to discuss options.

⬩ What makes our tattoo removal service UNIQUE or BETTER than others out there?
The bottom line is getting the best results possible. We put extra time and attention into every client and each treatment, knowing that they deserve only the best. We do a thorough consultation with each client to ensure the most beneficial tattoo removal strategy is used as well as to ensure you don’t have any pre-existing medical conditions which may lead to unwanted risks. Different skin types can handle different intensities of the laser. Being affiliated with a tattoo shop as well, we have a good idea as to how to approach your tattoo removal, whether it be preparing it for a cover up or removing it entirely. We can recognize characteristics of your tattoo (type of ink used, depth of ink) that can help us better predict what sort of results you might expect. Clients that come to us are seeking expertise, quality, and experience that comes from specializing in one laser service, tattoo fading and removal.

• We have been open for tattoo removal for over 10 years and have received the appropriate training. Experience and proven track record is a must in this business. Our Senior Laser Technician has 8 years experience.

• We do not charge for consultations.

• We are fully insured. Make sure you ask any tattoo removal operator if they carry the appropriate professional liability insurance.

• We use one of the best and safest lasers on the market that is designed for tattoo removal purposes not other aesthetic purposes.

• We have multiple wavelengths to treat a range of colours (1064nm, 532nm and 650nm). Many lasers out there have only one or two different wavelengths.

• We get results – see our real client pics

⬩ How are TATTOOS REMOVED?
Q-switched lasers are used at Vancouver Tattoo Removal and are effective and safe for all skin types. Laser energy is directed at the tattooed area for a fraction of a second, passing harmlessly through the outer layer of the skin and directly targeting the tattoo ink. The laser fragments the ink, allowing your body to absorb it and break it down naturally. Earlier methods involved the use of dermabrasion, salibrasion, surgery and C02 lasers, but these methods left behind scarring or lighter skin in place of the tattoo. Also commonly seen on the internet are tattoo removal creams—which do not work (some of our clients have tried these other methods before coming to us and some have been scarred by these creams and chemical injection techniques).

⬩ How much will is COST?
Pricing starts at $100 per laser treatment. If you have multiple tattoos we price by total size. So, you might have 2 small tattoos and it might only cost you $100 per session to treat both at the same time. Extremely large tattoos such as big back pieces and full sleeves will have to be broken into separate sessions. During your free of charge consultation we will give you a quote for how much your tattoo removal will cost per session. Payment by cash, Visa, Mastercard or Debit cards. No checks.

⬩ How many SESSIONS would I need?
Each person is unique as their tattoo therefore results vary depending on multiple factors. Home-made, or very lightly applied tattoos are generally not as deep and contain lesser quality ink that breaks down easier. Older tattoos come out faster than recently done tattoos. Blow outs can often be corrected in only one session. Fading a tattoo for a cover-up most often requires a few sessions. Laser sessions are spaced out 6 to 12 weeks apart. The longer you wait between sessions, the better results you will have. Time is a very important factor in this process as your body needs time to get rid of the broken down ink. The number of treatments depends on the amount of ink used, type of ink, depth of ink placed in skin, location, age, colours, and each person’s individual health considerations. Some parts of the tattoo can come out extremely fast (I.e., light shading) while deeper line work and certain colours will take longer to come out.

⬩ How do I BOOK an appointment?There are a couple of options. You can call the front desk at the shop (Gastown Tattoo Parlour) at 604-642-6556 or 604-915-3059. The counter person usually works from 11am-6pm each day. Or, you can email us at info@tattooremovalvancouver.com. You can start off with just a consultation or have your first session immediately following your consultation.

Please note: A non-refundable deposit is required to book an appointment. Deposits range from $50. If you’re more than 5 minutes late, do not give at least 24hrs notice to cancel, or provide no notice at all, your deposit will be forfeited.

⬩ Do I need a CONSULTATION?
This is the first step. A consultation is required before any laser treatment. It involves taking a health history, evaluating the tattoo, explaining the procedure, reviewing risks and benefits, options, answering questions, and establishing the price per treatment. Clients must be at least 18 years of age and have photo identification. Consultations are free of charge. We can also give you a quote as to the price we would charge per session if you send us a photo of your tattoo.

⬩ Can I remove a BRAND NEW TATTOO?
Unfortunately we cannot apply lasers to brand new tattoos that have not fully healed as this would pose a risk to your skin and not effectively remove the ink. Tattoos normally take about 4-6 weeks to heal. We ask that your tattoo is at least 2 months old before we laser it. Generally speaking, the older the tattoo is the easier it is to remove. So a newer tattoo is going to require more sessions than one that is least a year or two old.

⬩ Is it possible to only have PART OF A TATTOO REMOVED?
Yes, we can often fix blown out lines, or remove parts of shading or other line work that you are not happy with. We can block out the other parts of your tattoo so that they laser does not hit there.

⬩ Is it PAINFUL?
Yes, it can be. The laser emits light in very short flashes called pulses. The impact of the pulse is described as a snap of a rubber band or a hot pinprick. Different people have different pain thresholds. We use ice packs to cool the skin and help reduce the pain. In our opinion ice packs are as effective as the air blowing devices that some places may use.

We also sell Zensa topical anesthetic for $45 per tube that you can apply an hour before your appointment. Many patients say that this takes away up to 50% of the pain. So come down to the shop to pick one up before your appointment.

Keep in mind, the laser procedure is very short in time (a small tattoo might only take 20 seconds). Usually by the time you leave our facility the pain is already gone and it just feels like a sunburn. Most of our clients say that it was not as bad as what they expected it to be.

⬩ Are there SIDE-EFFECTS?
Laser tattoo removal is a safe procedure with minimal risks. The chance of scarring is less than 2%, if you follow the after-care instructions. The risk of scarring can increase for dark skin tone, poor circulation, immune system deficiencies, taking Accutaine, some health conditions, taking certain medications, or having a history of keloids or elevated scarring. Any scarring pre-existing before the procedure will remain after the tattoo ink has been removed. During our pre-screening process we will ask you some health-related questions. If we feel that you are in a high risk category, we may decline doing the procedure on you. If you have had an extreme amount of sun exposure on the area to be treated we also we decline doing this procedure on you (may cause hypo or hyper pigmentation).

⬩ Do all inks RESPOND THE SAME?
No, but black ink removes the best. Red, orange and warmer colours respond well. Yellow is variable but can be removed. We can also be effective on a lot of green inks. Some blue and purple inks are more challenging colours to remove but our laser can sometimes remove them although complete removal cannot be guaranteed. We can’t remove white ink tattoos and we rarely offer removal of permanent makeup pigments (they may contain an oxide which turns black when in contact with a laser).

⬩ Will the tattoo be REMOVED COMPLETELY?
In many cases, yes. It is very common to achieve at least 90-95% fading. However, it is very important to know that over 100 types of tattoo inks are used today and some of them react differently to the laser treatment. Without the standardized of inks used it makes it difficult to predict the degree of removal of any tattoo. We can never guarantee 100% removal — no laser provider out there can guarantee 100% removal on every tattoo.

⬩ Can COSMETIC EYEBROW TATTOOS be removed?
Although we don’t generally remove cosmetic tattoos (because the ink is often different), there are times we can laser eyebrow tattoos that did not turn out the way you wanted. We can do a test spot to see if the pigment will respond positively to our laser. At our shop, Pacific Rose Tattoo, we recently added microblading services as well (fine hair stroke realistic, semi-realistic eyebrow tattoos). So our specialist can come up with a complete plan to fix and replace your existing eyebrow tattoos.

⬩ What to expect AFTER a laser removal procedure?
An instant whitening of the skin is seen after treatment, but this generally fades quickly. The area is likely to feel tender for a few hours and can be red/swollen/bruised for up to 72 hours. Blistering can occur. It is quite common for the treated area to feel itchy after the treatment. Following the steps below will help ensure that your skin heals up nicely following the treatment.

1. The treated site should be kept clean and dry while it is healing, and out of the sun. Clean the area gently with soap and water and gently pat the area dry. If a blister forms, it is important not to pop it or pick at it. You can apply neosporin, polysporin, aquaphore or aloe vera to it. A shower can be taken the next day (use lukewarm rather than hot water), and the site should not be scrubbed. Initially the tattoo is unlikely to look any different but will fade over the next several weeks as the body disperses it.

2. You should apply cool compresses (ice packs) as necessary for 24 hours after the laser treatment to help reduce discomfort and inflammation.

3. Do no pick at the blister or allow the skin to become scraped, as this may result in infection and scarring. Shaving should be avoided in the treated area until it is completely healed.

4. Do not wear make-up or any other cream on the area for 48 hours.

5. Wear a sunblock (SPF 25 or higher) over the area following the treatment.

6. It is recommended that you regularly massage, with aloe vera, the treated area to help speed up the body’s ability to disperse the ink. It is also important to drink 5 to 10 glasses of water a day for the first week to assist lymphatic drainage.

7. If the area looks infected contact us or visit a doctor immediately. Call us if you have any concerns (604-642-6556 or 604-915-305). We are here to help!

Return to Laser Home page.

⬩ Are your sterilization procedures LEGITIMATE?
Our shop procedures and guidelines are approved and administered by the Vancouver Coastal Health authorities.

Needles, ink, ointments, gloves and surface coverings are all one-time use disposable products.

We have a sterilization room which contains our high performance Ritter M9 Autoclave. This is one of the industry’s best autoclaves used for sterilizing equipment and is currently used in hospitals. Each month we are also responsible for submitting spore tests to maintain quality standards.

Tattoo tubes are placed in an ultrasonic cleaner, scrubbed, then run through the autoclave to ensure they are clean and sterile for use.

Each station is fully sanitized after every appointment.

When you come by our shop feel free to ask for a tour and we can go over our procedures with you!

⬩ Why do you have 2 PHONE NUMBERS?
You can reach us at either number!

Our shop expanded in November 2016. Now we have a third level studio that requires a different phone line. This also helps distribute the traffic of callers in order to better assist our customer requests.

If you are intending to make a payment over the phone (i.e. deposit), we prefer to be reached at 604-642-6556.