Tattoo Removal Before & After

The cost of tattoo removal varies widely depending on several factors:

• Size of the tattoo (typically charged per square inch)
• Colors in the tattoo (multi-colored tattoos can cost more)
• Location (urban areas tend to be more expensive)
• Provider type (dermatologist, medspa, specialized clinic)
• Laser technology used (newer technologies may cost more)

Average Cost Per Session:

• Small tattoo (less than 2 inches): $150-$300
• Medium tattoo (2-5 inches): $250-$500
• Large tattoo (6+ inches): $500-$1,000+

With most tattoos requiring 6-12 sessions, complete removal can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000+. Many clinics offer package deals that reduce the per-session cost.

While tattoo removal can be effective, there are several potential disadvantages to consider:

• Pain and Discomfort: Many describe the sensation as more painful than getting the original tattoo, often compared to hot oil splatter or rubber band snapping.
• Time Commitment: Complete removal typically requires 6-12 sessions spaced 6-8 weeks apart, meaning the process can take 1-2 years.
• Cost: Removing a tattoo usually costs significantly more than getting one, with complete removal potentially costing thousands of dollars.
• Incomplete Results: Some tattoos cannot be completely removed, especially those with yellow, green, or fluorescent inks.
• Side Effects: These can include blistering, swelling, redness, temporary or permanent changes in skin color, and in some cases, scarring.
• Recovery Time: Each session requires healing time, during which the treated area may look worse than the original tattoo.

It’s important to have realistic expectations and understand that complete removal is not guaranteed for all tattoos.

After successful complete tattoo removal, ideally, your skin should return to a state similar to how it looked before you got the tattoo. However, results can vary:

• Best-case scenario: Skin returns to its natural appearance with no visible evidence of the tattoo.
• Typical scenario: Skin appears mostly normal with perhaps slight textural changes or very faint shadowing visible only under certain lighting.
• Some cases: Slight hypopigmentation (lighter skin) or hyperpigmentation (darker skin) may remain at the treatment site, typically fading over 6-12 months.
• Less common: Minor scarring or textural changes might be present, especially if the tattoo was deep or if the skin experienced complications during removal.

During the removal process itself, the tattoo will go through several phases:

1. Initial fading and breaking up of lines
2. Patchy appearance as some ink responds faster than others
3. Ghost-like shadowy appearance in later stages
4. Gradual transition to clear skin

While it’s technically possible to start tattoo removal soon after getting inked, most professionals recommend waiting at least 4-6 weeks after getting a tattoo before beginning removal treatments. There are several important reasons for this waiting period:

• Healing time: Your skin needs to fully heal from the tattooing process before undergoing another treatment.
• Inflammatory response: New tattoos trigger an inflammatory response in the body that should resolve before starting removal.
• Ink settling: The ink needs time to settle properly in the skin layers.
• Immune system preparation: Your body’s immune system needs to be ready to process the ink fragments that laser treatments will create.

However, for optimal results, many dermatologists and removal specialists actually recommend waiting 3-6 months if possible. This allows:

• The body to naturally eliminate some ink particles
• The immune system to be fully prepared for removal
• Any inflammatory responses to completely resolve
• Better evaluation of how the tattoo has settled, allowing for more effective treatment planning

To ensure the best results and minimize complications during tattoo removal, avoid these common mistakes:

• Don’t tan or expose the area to sun before or after treatments (sun exposure can cause complications and reduce effectiveness)
• Don’t choose a provider based solely on price – expertise and proper equipment are crucial for safety and results
• Don’t schedule sessions too close together (less than 6-8 weeks apart) as this can damage skin without improving results
• Don’t pick or scratch at blisters or scabs that form after treatment as this can cause scarring
• Don’t apply unauthorized creams or ointments without consulting your specialist
• Don’t smoke during the removal process as it impairs healing and slows results
• Don’t skip aftercare instructions provided by your technician
• Don’t exercise intensely immediately after treatment (wait 24-48 hours)
• Don’t soak in water (pools, hot tubs, baths) for 48 hours after each session
• Don’t expect overnight results – the process takes time and patience

Setting realistic expectations and following your specialist’s guidance will help ensure the best possible outcome for your tattoo removal journey.

Among all available methods, laser tattoo removal is widely considered the most effective and safest approach for most people. Here’s why lasers are generally superior to other methods:

• Targeted treatment: Lasers specifically target ink particles while minimizing damage to surrounding skin
• Adjustable for different inks: Modern lasers can be calibrated for different colors and ink types
• Lower risk of scarring: When performed correctly, laser removal has a relatively low risk of permanent scarring compared to other methods
• Gradual process: The progressive nature of laser treatments allows the body to naturally eliminate ink particles between sessions
• Works on most tattoos: Can effectively treat professional and amateur tattoos of various sizes

For laser removal, the latest technologies include:

• PicoWay and PicoSure: Use picosecond technology for faster results with less damage
• Enlighten: Combines both nanosecond and picosecond pulses for treating different ink depths
• Q-switched lasers: Though older technology, still effective especially for black and darker inks

According to multiple experts and patient testimonials, the Cutera Enlighten laser provides some of the best results with less pain and faster healing compared to older technologies.

Before modern laser technology became available in the 1990s, tattoo removal options were significantly more invasive and often resulted in scarring. Historical methods included:

• Dermabrasion: Using a wire brush or diamond wheel to “sand away” the top layers of skin, a painful process that often left significant scarring.
• Salabrasion: An ancient technique where salt water was rubbed vigorously into the tattooed area, creating an abrasive effect that would remove layers of skin along with some ink.
• Surgical Excision: Cutting out the tattooed skin and either stitching the surrounding skin together or using skin grafts to cover larger areas.
• TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid): Chemical peels that would burn away the top layers of skin, attempting to reach and remove the ink.
• Cryosurgery: Freezing the tattooed area, which would sometimes cause the tattooed skin to slough off.

These older methods were characterized by:

• High pain levels during and after treatment
• Significant risk of infection
• Almost guaranteed scarring in most cases
• Limited effectiveness, especially for colorful tattoos
• Long recovery times

The first Q-switched lasers specifically designed for tattoo removal were introduced in the early 1990s, revolutionizing the field by offering a way to target ink without extensive damage to the surrounding skin.

While complete (100%) tattoo removal is possible in many cases, it’s important to understand that results vary significantly based on several factors. Most professional tattoo removal specialists prefer to set realistic expectations rather than promise complete removal for every tattoo.

Factors determining complete removal possibility:

• Ink colors: Black and dark blue typically respond best to laser treatment. Yellow, white, light blue, and fluorescent colors are more challenging and may not completely disappear.
• Skin tone: People with fair skin generally have better removal results than those with darker skin tones, though modern lasers have improved outcomes across all skin types.
• Age of tattoo: Older tattoos (5+ years) are often easier to remove than newer ones.
• Tattoo location: Areas with better circulation (closer to the heart) tend to see better removal success.
• Amateur vs. professional: Amateur/homemade tattoos typically require fewer treatments for complete removal compared to professional tattoos.
• Ink quality and depth: Higher-quality inks and deeper placement make removal more challenging.
• Patient health: Those with strong immune systems and good overall health typically see better results.

For best chance at complete removal:

• Choose a provider with advanced laser technology (PicoWay, Enlighten, or PicoSure)
• Complete the full recommended course of treatments (typically 8-12 sessions)
• Allow adequate time between sessions (6-8 weeks minimum)
• Follow all aftercare instructions diligently
• Maintain overall good health to support your body’s natural elimination process

People who have undergone laser tattoo removal often share these insights they wish they’d known beforehand:

• It’s a lengthy process: Complete removal typically takes 1-3 years, not a few quick sessions.
• The importance of technician expertise: The skill and experience of your technician matters more than the specific laser model being used.
• Pain varies widely: While some describe it as only mildly uncomfortable, others find it significantly more painful than getting the tattoo.
• Aftercare is crucial: How you care for the area between sessions dramatically affects your results.
• Results aren’t linear: You might see dramatic fading after early sessions, then slower progress in later sessions.
• Not all colors respond equally: Black and dark blue fade most easily, while colors like yellow, white, and light green are much more resistant.
• The healing process isn’t pretty: Blistering, scabbing, and temporary discoloration are normal parts of the process.
• Spacing matters: Waiting longer between sessions (8-12 weeks) often yields better results than rushing with shorter intervals.
• It’s an investment: Quality removal services are expensive, but trying to save money can lead to scarring or poor results.
• Sun protection is essential: Sun exposure before and after treatments can cause complications and reduce effectiveness.

“Listen to the risks during the consult and make sure you’ll be ok with it if/when it does occur. These can include: incomplete removal, ghosting, hypo/hyperpigmentation, allergic reactions (mostly red ink), ink oxidisation, scarring, and in rare cases, infection.”

– Reddit user from r/TattooRemoval

Laser tattoo removal does involve discomfort, but the experience varies widely among individuals. Most people describe the sensation as more intense than getting the original tattoo, but each pulse lasts only a fraction of a second.

Common descriptions of the pain:

• Like a rubber band snapping repeatedly against your skin
• Similar to hot oil or bacon grease splattering on your skin
• A sharp, quick stinging sensation
• More intense for tattoos near bones or in sensitive areas

Pain management options:

• Topical numbing creams: Applied 30-45 minutes before treatment
• Cold air cooling: Many clinics use devices that blow cold air on the area during treatment
• Ice packs: Applied before and immediately after treatment
• Local anesthesia: Injectable numbing medication for larger areas or sensitive locations
• Over-the-counter pain relievers: Acetaminophen (not ibuprofen or aspirin, which can increase bruising)

Pain level comparisons:

• • Getting a tattoo: Continuous, moderate pain over hours
• • Laser removal: Intense but very brief pain (seconds to minutes total)

“It’s not especially scream-inducingly painful, but it feels exactly like what it is: a laser shooting into your skin really fast. And yes, it hurts more than getting the tattoo done — but, depending on the size of your tattoo, each treatment can take under five minutes. Easy!”