Last reviewed June 2026 by Vlad, Founder & SMP / Laser Tattoo Removal Specialist at Rico Clinic.
If you live in Côte-des-Neiges and you have been thinking about removing a tattoo, you are closer to a real solution than you might realize. Rico Clinic sits right here in the neighbourhood, at 4934 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, and we have been doing laser tattoo removal and scalp micropigmentation here since 2017. Over those roughly eight years we have completed more than 546 treatments and earned a 5.0 rating across 135+ Google reviews. I am Vlad, the founder, and I treat clients personally alongside our team.
This page is the honest, plain-spoken version of everything I would tell you across the consultation desk: how the laser actually works, what a session feels like, how to heal well, how many sessions you should expect, and what it costs. No pressure, no hype. Just the information you need to decide.
Why Côte-des-Neiges residents choose Rico Clinic
The simplest reason is proximity. We are in your neighbourhood. If you are near the Université de Montréal campus, the Oratoire Saint-Joseph, or anywhere along Chemin Queen Mary, you can often walk to us. Plamondon metro is about a six-minute walk away and Côte-Sainte-Catherine is about five minutes, so even if you are coming from the far side of CDN the orange line drops you almost at our door. Driving in is roughly five minutes off-peak, closer to ten in rush hour, and there is metered street parking along Côte-des-Neiges. For a lot of our neighbours, the whole appointment fits inside a lunch break.
Côte-des-Neiges is one of the most diverse corners of Montréal, and that shapes who walks through our door. We see a steady stream of students and recent graduates from UdeM and the McGill medical campus who want to clear a tattoo from a younger, more impulsive chapter before they start clinical rotations, residencies, or their first serious job. We work with people from the neighbourhood’s large Filipino, South Asian, Latin American, and Eastern European communities, some of whom are navigating family or cultural considerations around visible ink. And we see plenty of long-time residents who simply want something gone. Whatever your reason, you will not have to explain or justify it here. Discretion is the whole point of our setup.
That setup matters. We run three private rooms: one for consultations and two treatment rooms, so your appointment stays genuinely private from the moment you arrive. My own path into this work started with my own hair loss, which is what led me to micropigmentation and eventually to opening the clinic. I mention that because it is the reason we treat people the way we do. We have been on the other side of the chair. If you want the bigger picture of everything we offer, our services overview lays it out, and you can browse more articles on our blog.
How laser tattoo removal actually works
Tattoo ink sits deep in the dermis, in particles too large for your immune system to clear on its own. That is why tattoos are permanent. Laser removal works by sending extremely short, high-energy pulses of light into the skin. The ink absorbs that light, heats up in a fraction of a second, and shatters into much smaller fragments. Once the particles are small enough, your body’s own lymphatic system carries them away over the following weeks. This principle, called selective photothermolysis, was first described by dermatologists R. Rox Anderson and John Parrish in their landmark 1983 research, and it is still the foundation of every reputable removal device used today.
Different ink colours absorb different wavelengths of light, so the right tool depends on your tattoo. Black and dark inks respond best to a 1064 nm wavelength, while brighter colours like red and orange respond better to 532 nm. We use technology that delivers these wavelengths in ultra-short pulses, which is what allows us to break ink down effectively while protecting the surrounding skin. We do not chase faster results by cranking the energy up beyond what is safe; that is how you get burns and scarring, and it is never worth it.
Skin tone matters too. If you have a deeper or darker complexion, the laser has to be set more conservatively because melanin also absorbs light energy, and we adjust carefully and sometimes start with a spot test to protect your skin. We wrote a detailed guide on laser tattoo removal on darker skin if that applies to you.
What a session actually feels like
Here is the honest version. Most clients describe the sensation as a snapping rubber band against the skin, repeated quickly. It is not nothing, but it is very manageable, and a single session is usually short. We start by applying a numbing cream and letting it sit for about ten to fifteen minutes so it can take effect. Then we clean the area, give you protective goggles, and select the right wavelength and settings for your tattoo’s colour and size.
During the treatment we may take short pauses between passes so you can breathe and reset. For tattoos in more sensitive spots, like the neck or near bone, we can use a cold-air blower to take the edge off the discomfort. Larger or denser tattoos take a little longer, but even sizeable pieces are typically done within a single appointment slot. The bottom line: it is uncomfortable for a few minutes, not unbearable, and nearly everyone tells me afterward it was easier than they had built it up to be.
Healing and aftercare, step by step
What you do after a session matters as much as the session itself. Right after treatment, the area will look red and may feel like a mild sunburn. We apply a healing cream before you leave and recommend you continue applying it to the area for about seven days. Here is the simple routine that gets the best results:
Days 1 to 3: Keep the area clean and dry. You may see some blistering or scabbing, which is completely normal and a sign the ink is breaking down. Do not pick at it. Apply your healing cream gently as directed.
Days 4 to 14: Let any scabs fall off on their own. Keep moisturizing. Avoid soaking the area in baths, pools, or hot tubs while it is still healing.
Throughout: Stay hydrated, since your lymphatic system is doing the work of flushing the shattered ink. Most importantly, keep the treated area out of direct sunlight until it has fully healed, and use sunscreen on it afterward. Sun exposure on healing skin is the single most common cause of pigment problems. Avoid strenuous workouts for a day or two if the area feels tender.
How many sessions you’ll need — and what it costs
Tattoo removal is a gradual process, not a one-and-done. Most tattoos need somewhere between 6 and 12 sessions, spaced roughly 6 to 8 weeks apart. That spacing is not arbitrary: your body needs that time to clear the broken-down ink between treatments, and rushing it does not speed up the result. The exact number depends on the tattoo’s age, size, ink colours, depth, and your skin type. Older, faded, single-colour black tattoos usually clear fastest; bright multi-colour pieces take more patience.
On cost, sessions at our clinic range from $50 to $800 depending on the size and complexity of the tattoo. A small, simple piece sits at the low end; a large, dense, multi-colour back piece sits at the high end. Because removal takes multiple sessions, we offer multi-session packages that bring the per-session price down. Everything starts with a free consultation, where we look at your tattoo in person and give you a clear, honest plan and quote, so there are no surprises. If you would like to spread the cost, we also offer financing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a student discount for tattoo removal near Université de Montréal?
We see a lot of students from UdeM and the McGill medical campus, and we get this question often. The best move is to come in for the free consultation and ask. Because we offer multi-session packages and financing, we can usually find an approach that works for a student budget, and we will be upfront about pricing before you commit to anything.
How much does laser tattoo removal cost in Côte-des-Neiges?
Sessions range from $50 to $800 each, depending on the size, colour, and complexity of your tattoo. Since complete removal usually takes 6 to 12 sessions, the total depends on your specific piece. We offer packages that lower the per-session cost, and your free consultation includes a personalized quote.
How many sessions will it take to remove my tattoo?
Most tattoos need 6 to 12 sessions spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart. Older, faded, black-ink tattoos tend to clear faster, while bright multi-colour pieces take longer. We will give you a realistic estimate at your consultation after seeing the tattoo.
Does it hurt?
Most people describe it as a snapping rubber band against the skin. We use numbing cream and, for sensitive areas, a cold-air blower, and we take breaks between passes. It is uncomfortable for a few minutes but very manageable for nearly everyone.
Will it leave a scar?
When the laser is used correctly and you follow aftercare, scarring is uncommon. The biggest risks come from cranking energy too high for faster results or from picking at scabs and exposing healing skin to the sun. We treat conservatively and walk you through aftercare precisely to protect your skin.
How long until I see results?
You will notice fading after the first session, but real progress builds over several treatments as your body clears the ink between sessions. Because of the 6-to-8-week spacing, full removal of a typical tattoo takes several months to a bit over a year.
What our clients say
We are proud that our reputation has grown almost entirely by word of mouth here in Côte-des-Neiges and across Montréal. With a 5.0 rating from 135+ Google reviews, the themes clients raise again and again are the same: a calm and professional experience, warm and patient service, genuine privacy, and visible results. Many tell us they appreciated being given a straight, realistic plan rather than overpromises, and that the clinic felt clean, discreet, and unhurried from the first consultation to the final session.
Book your free consultation
If you are ready to take the first step, the easiest thing is to come in and let us look at your tattoo. The consultation is free, there is zero obligation, and you will leave with a clear plan and an honest quote. You can book your free consultation online in a couple of minutes, or call us at (514) 346-8044. We are at 4934 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, open Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM, a short walk from Plamondon and Côte-Sainte-Catherine metro.
Reviewed by Vlad, Founder & SMP / Laser Tattoo Removal Specialist, Rico Clinic. Last reviewed June 2026.