If you live in Rosemont or La Petite-Patrie and you have been quietly thinking about getting rid of an old tattoo, you are in good company. At Rico Clinic, we have been performing laser tattoo removal in Montreal since 2017 — that is roughly 8 years and 546+ treatments of hands-on experience, with a 5.0 rating across 135+ Google reviews. Your treatments are done by Vlad, our founder and SMP / laser tattoo removal specialist, who works one-on-one with you from your first consultation to your final session. Last reviewed June 2026.
This guide walks you through everything a first-timer from the Rosemont side of town actually wants to know: why neighbours choose us, how the laser really works on your ink, what a session feels like, how to heal cleanly, and what it will cost. When you are ready, you can book a free consultation in a couple of clicks.
Why Rosemont and Petite-Patrie residents choose Rico Clinic
Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie has grown into one of Montreal’s most quietly confident neighbourhoods — family-oriented, increasingly trendy, full of young families and creative-class professionals, with a strong artisanal food and craft scene and pockets of Italian heritage near the Jean-Talon Market. The people who come to us from here tend to fall into a few familiar situations: a parent navigating a family-life transition who wants a cleaner look; someone prepping for a cover-up and needing established work faded first; or a professional doing some career-driven cleanup as their role becomes more client-facing. If any of that sounds like you, you are exactly who we see week after week.
Getting to us is easy. The clinic sits at 4934 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, about 5–8 km southwest of Rosemont. If you take transit, hop on the orange line from Beaubien, Rosemont, or Jean-Talon and ride south to Plamondon — from the Jean-Talon area it is roughly a 22-minute ride, then a short walk. Driving is straightforward too: about 14 minutes off-peak and closer to 25 minutes in rush hour, with street parking available right on Côte-des-Neiges. Many clients pair a session with errands near the Promenade Masson, Beaubien Street, or a stop at the Jean-Talon Market on the way home.
Inside, the clinic is built for privacy and comfort. We run three rooms — a dedicated consultation space and two treatment rooms — so your visit never feels rushed or exposed. Because Vlad personally went through hair loss and his own aesthetic journey before founding Rico Clinic, the whole place is set up around how it actually feels to sit in that chair: discreet, calm, and judgment-free. You can read more about our full range of treatments and services if you are also curious about scalp micropigmentation or scar camouflage.
How laser tattoo removal actually works
The science here is genuinely elegant, and understanding it makes the whole process less mysterious. Laser tattoo removal relies on a principle called selective photothermolysis, first described by dermatologists Anderson and Parrish in their landmark 1983 paper. In plain terms: the laser fires extremely short, high-energy pulses of light that are absorbed by the tattoo pigment but largely ignored by the surrounding skin. That targeted energy shatters the ink into tiny fragments your immune system can then carry away naturally over the following weeks.
Different ink colours absorb different wavelengths of light, which is why technology matters. We treat dark inks — black, dark blue, brown — with a 1064 nm wavelength, and brighter colours such as red and orange with a 532 nm wavelength. Black is usually the fastest to fade; greens, light blues, and some custom mixes can be more stubborn and may need extra patience. Your skin tone, the age and depth of the tattoo, the density of the ink, and where it sits on your body all influence how it responds.
One thing we will never do is crank the laser up to rush your results. Pushing the intensity too high is how people end up with burns and permanent scarring. Safe, steady removal protects your skin — and it is the only way to get a clean final result you will actually be happy with.
What a session actually feels like
Most people are more nervous about the pain than they need to be. Here is the honest rundown. When you arrive, we start by applying a numbing cream and letting it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes so it can take effect. Once the area is prepped and cleaned, you put on protective goggles, and we select the right frequency and speed for the colour and size of your tattoo.
Then the laser passes over the ink. Most clients describe it as moderately painful — often compared to an elastic band snapping against the skin or hot bacon grease, but brief. Sensitive spots like the neck, head, ribs, and ankles tend to sting more than fleshier areas like the forearm or thigh. We use a cooling air system to take the edge off, and we pause between passes whenever you need a breath. The good news: actual laser time is short. A small tattoo can be done in just a few minutes; even larger pieces are usually a matter of 15 to 20 minutes in the chair.
Healing and aftercare, step by step
Good aftercare is half the result. Here is what to expect once you leave the clinic.
The first 24 hours: the area will likely be red, slightly raised, and tender — a bit like a sunburn. Some frosting (a temporary white discolouration) right after treatment is normal and fades quickly. We apply a healing ointment before you go and recommend you keep a small tube at home.
Days 1–7: keep the area clean and moisturized, apply the healing cream as directed, and resist the urge to pick at any scabs or blisters that form — letting them heal undisturbed is what protects you from scarring. Loose clothing over the spot helps.
The weeks that follow: stay hydrated, and above all, keep the treated area out of direct sun until it is fully healed. Sun exposure on fresh treatment is the single most common cause of pigment changes. A high-SPF sunscreen once healed is a smart habit. You can ease back into workouts after a couple of days, but skip swimming pools, saunas, and hot tubs until the skin has closed up.
How many sessions you’ll need — and what it costs
Laser tattoo removal is a process, not a single appointment. Most tattoos need somewhere between 6 and 12 sessions to fade completely, spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart so your skin can recover and your body can flush the broken-down ink between visits. That spacing is not us being slow — it is what gives you the cleanest, safest result. If you only need a tattoo faded enough for a cover-up rather than fully erased, you will often need fewer sessions, which is worth raising with your local artist.
On cost: sessions at our Montreal clinic run from $50 to $800, depending on the size of the tattoo, the ink colours involved, and your skin type. Small, simple pieces sit at the low end; large, dense, multi-colour work sits higher. We keep pricing transparent and offer multi-session packages that bring the per-session cost down over the full course of treatment. The best way to get a real number for your tattoo is a free consultation — we will look at it in person and give you a clear, no-surprises quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How effective is laser tattoo removal on old tattoos?
Older tattoos often respond very well. Over the years, ink naturally breaks down and fades on its own, so the pigment is frequently easier for the laser to target than fresh, dense work. That said, age is only one factor — the colours used, how deep the ink sits, and your skin type all matter. Many older black tattoos clear in fewer sessions than people expect. We will give you an honest assessment at your consultation.
How much does laser tattoo removal cost near Rosemont?
Sessions range from $50 to $800 depending on the tattoo’s size, colours, and your skin type. A small black tattoo is at the low end; a large multi-colour piece is at the higher end. We offer multi-session packages that reduce the per-session cost, and every consultation is free so you know exactly what to expect before committing.
How many sessions will I need?
Most tattoos need 6 to 12 sessions for complete removal, spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart. Black ink and older tattoos often need fewer; bright colours and dense, layered work may need more. If you only want a tattoo faded for a cover-up, you will usually need fewer sessions than full removal.
Does it hurt, and will it scar?
Most people find it moderately painful — comparable to an elastic band snap — and we use numbing cream and a cooling air system to keep you comfortable. When the treatment is done correctly at safe energy levels and you follow aftercare (especially not picking at scabs), scarring is uncommon. Rushing the laser intensity is what causes scarring, and we never do that.
How soon will I see results?
You will typically notice fading a few weeks after your first session, once your body has cleared the first round of shattered ink. Each subsequent session builds on the last. Because we space sessions 6 to 8 weeks apart, full removal usually unfolds over several months to about a year, depending on your tattoo.
Can I get to the clinic easily from Rosemont?
Yes. We are about 14 minutes by car off-peak, with street parking on Côte-des-Neiges. By transit, take the orange line south to Plamondon — roughly 22 minutes from the Jean-Talon area plus a short walk. Many clients combine a visit with errands around Beaubien or the Jean-Talon Market.
What our clients say
We are proud that our reputation has been built almost entirely on word of mouth and genuine results. Rico Clinic holds a 5.0 rating across 135+ Google reviews, and the themes come up again and again: clients mention how professional and reassuring the experience is, how warm the service feels, and — most importantly — the visible fading they see session after session. First-timers often tell us the reality was far less daunting than they had built it up to be in their heads. You can browse more stories and guides on our blog.
Book your free consultation
If you are in Rosemont, Petite-Patrie, or anywhere in north-central Montreal and you are ready to start, the first step is simple and costs nothing. Book your free consultation online and we will assess your tattoo, answer your questions, and map out a realistic plan and price. Prefer to talk first? Call us at (514) 346-8044. We are open Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM, at 4934 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, Montréal.
Written by Vlad, Founder & SMP / Laser Tattoo Removal Specialist at Rico Clinic. Last reviewed June 2026.