On average, patients may require between 10 to 15 sessions, with each session spaced six to eight weeks apart to allow for healing and the body's natural ink disposal process. As a result, the entire process can often take anywhere from 1 to 3 years, sometimes even longer for complete removal.
Tattoo removal companies have different methods of calculating fees. Some companies charge $10–25 per inch for removal. Someone removing a 36-square-inch tattoo might pay $400 for a session, whereas someone with a 4-square-inch tattoo might pay $175. Usually, the more inches you pay for, the less you pay per inch.
Small, simple designs might only take about 30 minutes to an hour, whereas large or intricate pieces, like full sleeves or detailed back tattoos, can require multiple sessions, each lasting several hours. For an accurate estimate, it's best to discuss your specific tattoo idea with your artist.
Larger tattoos may require between eight and 10 removal sessions. Smaller tattoos may require between five and seven removal sessions. However, some tattoos can take as few as two treatments or as many as a dozen sessions.
It could range from a few minutes for laser tattoo removal or a few hours for surgical excision. You may need several tattoo removal sessions, especially if you choose laser tattoo removal. It can take between six and 12 visits and sometimes more before you see results.
For the best results and to speed up the tattoo removal process, it's recommended to combine laser treatments with proper aftercare and lifestyle changes. Maintaining good skin hydration is crucial; well-hydrated skin heals faster and is more resilient, enhancing the effectiveness of each laser session.
Can a tattoo be 100% removed? It is difficult to give a one-size-fits-all answer to this often asked question, but broadly speaking, yes a tattoo can be 100% removed so long as your immune system is working effectively and you follow our sun-safe aftercare guidelines.
In general, a tattoo under 2 inches is tiny, something 2 to 4 inches is small, 4-6 inches is medium, and 6 or more inches is large. It is important to understand that these sizes are subjective though.
PicoWay® laser treatment requires fewer sessions for tattoo removal than traditional treatments, helping you to quickly remove a vast range of tattoos. In contrast to older lasers that operate by the nanosecond, PicoWay® functions at picosecond speeds, delivering pulses of light at a trillionth of a second.
Larger tattoos take longer to remove because more skin area needs to be treated. Tattoos located on areas with less blood flow, like the lower legs, may also take longer to fade compared to those on areas with better circulation, like the chest.
Forearms (this is the number 1 least painful spot) Outside of upper arms. Outside of shoulders. Outside upper thigh.
Typically, you will start to see tattoo fading around sessions 3-5 which is optimal for people who are seeking removal for a cover up, but it will likely take 10-12 sessions to see complete removal results.
On average, a tattoo takes two to four weeks to heal. However, it takes about three to six months for the skin underneath the tattoo to fully heal. 12 This time depends on specific skin reactions, tattoo size, and ink colors used.
Laser tattoo removal works when the color in the ink absorbs the energy from the laser. Different colors of ink absorb color differently. Specifically, lighter colors like white, yellow, light blue, and pink are the most difficult to remove, as are green, red, and neon colors.
Before laser tattoo removal treatment can begin, the skin must be fully healed. The healing process takes between 8 to 16 weeks depending on the person.
Please note: $50 tattoos are generally sized at 1 inch by 1 inch on arms and legs. Size, placement, and addition of color is available for an additional charge to be determined at the time of your visit.
According to PayScale, the average hourly rate for tattoo artists is about $100. This is typical for experienced, non-apprentice tattoo artists with solid portfolios, but some popular tattooists charge as much as $300 per hour.
Colors such as green, red, and yellow are the hardest colors to remove, while dark blue and black are the easiest. Flesh-colored tattoos, white ink, and permanent makeup are particularly tricky, because the pigment in these colors can oxidize (turn black) when treated by laser.
Tattoo removal costs depend on various factors, including the size and complexity of the tattoo, the number of sessions needed, and the chosen removal method. Additional expenses can arise from pre- and post-procedure care, as well as potential complications.
While tattoo removals can leave scars, tattoo removal scars are uncommon. Still, they can happen, and you may even notice scars left behind from your tattoo when you get it removed. If your skin has irregularities, such as existing scars, you can expect these to remain after the laser removal.