Tattoo Removal Scars

While we cannot assure 100% clearing of tattoos, many people do experience complete removal. The effectiveness depends on several factors:

• Density and depth of ink used
• Your body’s ability to absorb and remove the ink
• Ink colors (black and dark blue remove more easily than yellows, greens, and fluorescent colors)
• The technology used for removal

The laser’s job is to break up the ink particles small enough for your body to remove them effectively. With modern picosecond lasers and multiple sessions, many tattoos can be removed with little to no visible trace.

Most people find that their skin returns to its normal state with time. After complete healing, which can take 2-3 months after the final treatment, many patients experience skin that looks nearly identical to how it did before the tattoo.

However, some subtle changes may remain:

• Slight texture differences may be noticeable upon close inspection
• The area may be slightly lighter or darker than surrounding skin
• In rare cases, minor scarring may be present

It’s always a good idea to keep the area protected from sun exposure to maintain its health and appearance. Sun protection is especially important during and after the removal process to prevent hyperpigmentation.

After 4 sessions of laser tattoo removal, you can typically expect:

• Noticeable fading as the ink continues to break down
• Some areas fading faster than others (this is completely normal)
• The skin healing well, with minimal redness or irritation
• Black and dark blue inks showing significant fading
• Colorful inks beginning to show changes, though often requiring more sessions

Results vary significantly based on the tattoo’s age, colors, quality, and your body’s ability to process the ink. Some small, amateur tattoos might be nearly gone after 4 sessions, while professional, colorful tattoos will show progress but likely need additional treatments.

Modern laser tattoo removal has a low risk of scarring when performed correctly, but it can happen. The likelihood of scarring depends on several factors:

• Laser type: Newer picosecond lasers generally cause less scarring than older Q-switched technology
• Provider skill: Experience matters in setting appropriate parameters for your skin
• Skin type: Some skin types are more prone to scarring
• Aftercare: Poor aftercare is one of the leading causes of scarring
• Pre-existing scarring: If the tattoo itself caused scarring, that will remain after ink removal

According to a nurse practitioner at The Wise Center for Plastic Surgery: “With proper aftercare and using the right laser like pico, the tattoo usually heals really quickly only leaving a redness and a little bit of dryness that heals over the next couple of days.”

Tattoo removal cost varies widely based on several factors:

• Size of the tattoo: Typically charged per square inch or in size categories
• Colors present: Multi-colored tattoos often cost more
• Number of sessions required: Most tattoos need 6-12 sessions
• Technology used: Advanced picosecond lasers typically cost more than older technologies
• Geographic location: Prices vary significantly by region

On average, you can expect to pay:

• Small tattoos: $150-$400 per session
• Medium tattoos: $400-$700 per session
• Large tattoos: $700+ per session

Many providers offer package pricing that reduces the per-session cost when purchasing multiple treatments upfront.

Yes, tattoo removal does involve some discomfort. Most patients describe the sensation as:

• Similar to having hot bacon grease splatter on your skin
• Like a rubber band snapping repeatedly against your skin
• More uncomfortable than getting the original tattoo, but more brief

To manage discomfort, most providers offer:

• Topical numbing creams applied 30-45 minutes before treatment
• Cold air cooling during the procedure
• Ice packs immediately after treatment

The good news is that each pulse of the laser lasts only a fraction of a second, and most treatment sessions take only 5-15 minutes depending on the size of the tattoo.

Complete tattoo removal is a process that takes time. On average:

• Amateur tattoos: 4-6 sessions
• Professional tattoos: 8-12 sessions
• Colorful professional tattoos: 12+ sessions

Sessions are typically spaced 6-8 weeks apart to allow your body to process the broken-down ink and for your skin to heal completely. This means:

• Small, amateur tattoo: 6-8 months total time
• Professional black tattoo: 1-1.5 years
• Colorful professional tattoo: 1.5-2+ years

The process cannot be rushed—attempting to accelerate treatments by scheduling them closer together increases the risk of scarring and can actually slow down overall progress.

Common temporary side effects of laser tattoo removal include:

• Redness and swelling (lasts 1-3 days)
• Blistering (common and part of the healing process)
• Scabbing and crusting (1-2 weeks)
• Temporary changes in skin texture
• Hyperpigmentation (darkening) or hypopigmentation (lightening) of the treated area

Less common side effects that might occur:

• Burns or blisters (more likely with improper treatment settings)
• Scarring (5% or less of cases with modern technology)
• Infection (rare with proper aftercare)
• Allergic reaction to released ink pigments (very rare)

Most side effects resolve completely within a few weeks and can be minimized with proper aftercare and by following your provider’s instructions.

If you stop tattoo removal before completing the full course of treatments, you’ll be left with a partially faded tattoo:

• The tattoo will remain visible but appear faded or patchy
• Some colors may fade more than others, creating an uneven appearance
• Black outlines might remain while shading disappears
• The result may look like a ghost or shadow of the original tattoo

This partial removal can be:

• A desired outcome if you’re preparing for a cover-up tattoo (often 3-4 sessions is sufficient)
• A permanent result if you choose not to continue
• A temporary pause—you can resume treatments later if desired (though it’s best to inform your provider)

There are no negative health effects to stopping treatment early, and you can always decide to continue removal later if you wish.

Different tattoo colors respond differently to laser removal. In general:

• Black & Dark Blue: Respond best to treatment and can usually be removed completely
• Red & Orange: Moderate response, often require more sessions
• Green & Teal: More difficult, respond better to specific wavelengths available in newer lasers
• Yellow, White & Fluorescent Colors: Most challenging to remove, may not fully disappear

Modern advances in laser technology have improved the ability to target a wider range of colors:

• Picosecond lasers with multiple wavelengths can target more colors than earlier Q-switched lasers
• Multiple laser types may be used during your treatment course to address different colors
• Some colors may require 2-3 times as many sessions as black ink

For best results with colorful tattoos, seek out a provider with multiple laser types or a picosecond laser with multiple wavelength capabilities.