By Vlad, Founder & SMP / Laser Tattoo Removal Specialist at Rico Clinic. Last reviewed June 2025.
If you live around Acadie or anywhere in Ahuntsic-Cartierville and you have a tattoo you no longer want, you have a serious clinic just a short trip south. Rico Clinic has operated from the same address in Côte-des-Neiges since 2017 — that is roughly eight years of focused work, 546+ treatments performed, 135+ Google reviews, and a 5.0 rating. I am Vlad, the founder, and I removed tattoos and placed scalp micropigmentation long before I ever wrote a word about it. This guide walks you through exactly how laser removal works, what a session actually feels like, how healing goes day by day, how many sessions you should plan for, and what it costs — written plainly, the way I would explain it to you across the consultation desk.
Why Acadie & Ahuntsic-Cartierville residents choose Rico Clinic
Ahuntsic-Cartierville sits in the north of the island — Acadie, Sauvé, Henri-Bourassa, the streets around Marché Central and the riverside calm of Parc Nicolas-Viel. It is a residential, family-oriented part of the city, home to long-established communities and newer arrivals: strong Haitian, Maghrebi, Italian, and Latin American roots, side by side. We hear those stories at the desk. For some clients, a tattoo carries weight within their family or community and they want it gone quietly and respectfully. For others, it is about a career step — a tattoo that does not fit a new role — or simply covering up older work that has not aged well.
Getting to us is straightforward. We are at 4934 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, about 7–12 km south of most of the borough. By car it is roughly 18 minutes off-peak and closer to 30 at rush hour. On transit, the orange line is your friend: hop on at Crémazie, Sauvé, or Henri-Bourassa and ride straight south to Plamondon, a short walk from the clinic — about 25 minutes door to door. There is street parking along Côte-des-Neiges if you drive. Whatever community you come from, you will be served in English or French, with privacy built into the space: three rooms — a consultation room and two treatment rooms — so your appointment stays your own. You can see everything we offer on our services overview.
How laser tattoo removal actually works
The science is settled and surprisingly elegant. Tattoo ink sits in tiny clusters in the deeper layer of your skin, too large for your immune system to clear on its own. The laser sends extremely short, high-energy pulses of light into the skin. The ink absorbs that energy and shatters into microscopic fragments — small enough that your body’s own lymphatic system can finally carry them away over the following weeks. The principle behind this is called selective photothermolysis, described by dermatologists Anderson and Parrish in 1983, and it is still the foundation of every modern removal laser.
Different ink colours absorb different wavelengths of light, which is why we work with more than one. A 1064 nm wavelength is used for darker inks — black, dark blue — while a 532 nm wavelength targets warmer reds and oranges. Matching the wavelength to your ink is what makes removal both effective and safe. The technology is non-invasive: it breaks up pigment without cutting your skin. We do not chase speed by cranking up intensity — pushing the laser too hard is how you get burns and scarring, and we will never do that to your skin.
What a session actually feels like
Most first-timers are nervous about pain, so let me be honest with you. We start by applying a numbing cream and leaving it on for about 10 to 15 minutes to take effect. We then clean the area, and you put on protective goggles to shield your eyes. I set the wavelength and settings based on your tattoo’s colour, size, and your skin — and we begin.
Most people describe the sensation as moderate — often compared to a hot elastic band snapping against the skin, or tiny droplets of bacon grease. It is over quickly. Sensitive spots like the neck, head, ankles, and ribs tend to sting more than fleshier areas like the forearm or thigh. I take short breaks between passes so you can breathe, and a cold-air blower can take a lot of the edge off when you need it. A small tattoo can be done in a few minutes; a large piece takes longer. You stay in control the entire time — if you need to pause, we pause.
Healing and aftercare, step by step
What you do after the session matters as much as the session itself. Right after, I apply a healing cream and send you home with clear instructions.
Days 1–3: Expect some redness, mild swelling, and possibly small blisters or pinpoint scabbing — this is normal and a sign the ink is breaking down. Keep the area clean and apply your healing cream. Do not pick or scratch.
Days 3–7: Keep applying the cream for about a week. Any scabbing should be left to flake off on its own. Stay well hydrated — it genuinely helps your body flush the fragmented ink.
Week 1 onward: Keep the treated area out of direct sunlight until it has fully healed, and use sunscreen on it once it has. Skip the gym, sauna, pool, and hot tubs for the first several days while the skin settles. Most of the fading happens quietly over the 6 to 8 weeks between sessions, as your immune system does its work.
How many sessions you’ll need — and what it costs
Removal is a process, not a single appointment. Most tattoos need somewhere between 6 and 12 sessions, spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart to give your skin time to heal and your body time to clear the ink between visits. The exact number depends on the age of the tattoo, the ink colours and density, how deep it was placed, your skin tone, and where it sits on your body. Old, faded amateur work often clears faster than dense, professional, multi-colour pieces.
On cost, sessions at our Montreal clinic run from $50 to $800, depending mainly on size and complexity — a small monochrome tattoo sits at the low end, a large colourful back piece at the high end. We offer multi-session packages that bring the per-session cost down, and every client starts with a free consultation so you get an honest, personalized quote before you commit to anything. No surprises. You can browse other articles on our blog while you decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there good laser tattoo removal near Ahuntsic?
Yes. Rico Clinic on Côte-des-Neiges is a short orange-line ride or roughly an 18-minute drive south from Ahuntsic-Cartierville. We have operated since 2017 with 546+ treatments and a 5.0 rating across 135+ Google reviews, and we serve clients in English and French.
Does laser tattoo removal hurt?
It is usually moderate — most people compare it to an elastic band snapping against the skin. We use numbing cream beforehand, a cold-air blower during the session, and short breaks between passes. Sensitive areas like the neck or ankles sting more than fleshier spots.
How many sessions will I need?
Most tattoos take 6 to 12 sessions, spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart. The number depends on the tattoo’s age, colours, ink density, depth, and your skin. We give you a realistic estimate at your free consultation.
How much does it cost?
Sessions range from $50 to $800 depending mainly on size and complexity. Multi-session packages lower the per-session price, and your first consultation is free, so you will know your personalized quote before booking.
Will it leave a scar?
When done correctly at safe settings, laser removal is designed not to scar. The risk rises when intensity is pushed too high for faster results — which we never do. Following your aftercare and letting any scabs heal naturally protects your skin.
Can you remove coloured tattoos?
Yes. We use multiple wavelengths — 1064 nm for darker inks and 532 nm for warmer reds and oranges — to target different colours. Some colours take more sessions than others; we will walk you through what to expect for your specific ink.
What our clients say
Our reputation is built on results and on how people feel in the room. Across 135+ Google reviews and a 5.0 rating, clients from across Montreal consistently mention the same things: a professional, hygienic, genuinely comfortable experience, warm service in both languages, and visible fading session after session. Whether it is your first appointment or your last, our goal is to make the whole process feel supportive and clear.
Book your free consultation
Ready to start? The first step is a free, no-pressure consultation where we look at your tattoo, answer your questions, and give you an honest plan and quote. Book your free consultation online, or call us at (514) 346-8044. We are at 4934 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, Montréal, open Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM.
Reviewed by Vlad, Founder & SMP / Laser Tattoo Removal Specialist, Rico Clinic. Last reviewed June 2025.