Doctor Shares the Free Tool That Could Save You Hundreds on Laser Tattoo Removal

I paid £900 for a course of laser tattoo removal – five sessions that barely made a dent in the old inky souvenir I was desperate to get rid of. When I went back to the clinic, they told me I’d need at least five more. That’s when it hit me: I had absolutely no idea what I’d actually signed up for – or what the full journey was going to cost.

It turns out I’m not alone.

Laser tattoo removal has quietly become one of the UK’s most sought-after aesthetic treatments. But while the demand has grown, clarity hasn’t. Prices vary wildly from one clinic to the next, and most sell tidy-sounding treatment bundles – five sessions here, eight sessions there – that often bear little resemblance to what your skin actually needs.

The result? A lot of people walk away lighter in the wallet, but still shadowed by a ghost of their tattoo.

Enter the Doctor-Approved Tool That Cuts Through the Confusion

In 2009, two dermatologists – Dr Eric Kirby and Dr Ashish Desai – created something called the Kirby-Desai Scale. It was designed to predict, with medical accuracy, how many laser sessions it would take to fully remove a tattoo.

Based on real clinical data, the scale takes into account six factors:

• Your skin type
• Where the tattoo sits on the body
• Whether it’s been layered or re-inked
• The colours involved
• Any scarring or skin changes
• And how much ink was used in the first place

Each factor is scored, and the total gives a fairly precise estimate of how many treatments you’ll actually need. The higher the number, the more complex the journey.

“The Kirby-Desai Scale gives patients and practitioners a common language,” says Dr Saif Chatoo, an NHS doctor who specialises in laser treatments. “It replaces guesswork with something predictable and evidence-based.”

Until recently, this clever scale was something only doctors used behind closed doors. But now, anyone can access it for free via an online Kirby-Desai Tattoo Removal Calculator – a simple tool that helps demystify the process before you’ve even stepped foot in a clinic.

Why It Matters: Most People Underestimate What’s Involved

According to Dr Chatoo, one of the biggest issues he sees is patients being sold five- or eight-session packages when they might need 12, 14 or more to get the results they want.

“If someone’s told five sessions will clear it, and they cost £1,000, but the tattoo actually needs 14, you’re only a third of the way through,” he explains. “People get discouraged, or worse – they think laser doesn’t work. But often, it’s not the treatment that’s failed – it’s the expectation.”

Using the calculator early on can give you a much clearer idea of what to budget for, how long it’s likely to take, and whether the clinic you’re speaking to is giving you the full picture.

A More Transparent Approach: One Price, Guaranteed Results

Some clinics are now using the Kirby-Desai Scale from the outset to create bespoke plans that match the tattoo – not just the marketing package.

Laser tattoo removal experts at the Institute of Medical Physics in London, for example, assess every patient using the scale before they even begin. The result? A single, fixed fee that covers unlimited sessions – no matter how long it takes – and a guarantee of complete removal.

“We build our quotes using the science,” says Dr Emanuel Paleco, one of the Institute’s lead clinicians. “That way, patients know exactly what they’re paying for – and we stand by it, however many sessions are needed. No surprises. No extra costs.”

Final Thought: Don’t Go In Blind

Tattoo regret might be personal, but your laser removal journey doesn’t have to be unpredictable. Whether you’re still gathering information or already speaking to clinics, starting with the Kirby-Desai Calculator is a smart way to put yourself in control.

It could save you hundreds – and a great deal of disappointment.