What happens if you get tattoo removal too soon?

Author: Giles Abernathy  |  Last update: Wednesday, October 1, 2025

We hope to achieve great results for you, which is why we ask patients to wait six weeks before laser treating a fresh tattoo. We do not want to increase your risk of scarring or harm your skin unnecessarily. Other complications from getting treatment too early include excessive blistering and skin discoloration.

What happens if you remove a tattoo too early?

Scarring Risks: Treating a new (unhealed) tattoo is the equivalent of picking away at a scab on the skin that's trying to heal. Starting too soon can increase the patient's risk of developing permanent scarring along the treatment area.

Can I get tattoo removal every 4 weeks?

Most professionals recommend waiting 6 to 8 weeks between laser tattoo removal sessions. This allows your skin enough time to heal and your immune system to flush out the broken ink particles. In some cases, especially for larger or more stubborn tattoos, waiting 8 to 12 weeks may be more effective.

Can I remove a tattoo after 1 week?

Thank you for your question. It is recommended to wait at least 4-6 weeks after a new tattoo before having it removed as this allows time for your body to heal. It typically takes 6-10 sessions to remove a tattoo and the average cost to remove a small size tattoo is $100-$250 per session.

How soon can I get a new tattoo removed?

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. After the tattoo and the skin are fully healed, then and ONLY then should Laser Tattoo Removal be undertaken.

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Is it better to remove a tattoo sooner or later?

You can't remove your tattoo until it is fully healed, the healing process typically takes 6 to 8 weeks. Older tattoos tend to be easier to remove and require fewer sessions than newer tattoos. Laser tattoo removal works by passing the laser's light into the skin and breaking up the tattoo ink into small bits.

What is the minimum time between tattoo removal?

Traditional laser tattoo removal will require an average of 12 weeks between each session to allow for adequate healing and for the body to remove the ink particles. With PicoSure and PicoWay, only a minimum of 8 weeks is required in between sessions to allow for healing and ink removal.

Can you laser off a fresh tattoo?

We know that sometimes tattoo regret can creep in as soon as you've had the tattoo done. However, we advise waiting at least 6-8 weeks before getting laser tattoo removal. We need to wait until the ink has settled and the tattooed area has completely healed. Otherwise, we risk causing scarring.

Does vaseline fade tattoos?

Lastly, the American Academy of Dermatology states that petroleum-based products can cause the ink to fade. After all the pain and hard work you had to endure to get that beautiful new piece, surely you're not too keen on it just fading from something as simple as petroleum jelly, would you?

Can tattoo removal fail?

Tattoo removal is a very cumbersome procedure, and it may not always be successful, leaving a ghost image, hence the adage, think before you ink holds very much true.

How to speed up tattoo removal?

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.

Why hasn't my tattoo faded after laser removal?

Laser tattoo removal is a process that relies on the body eliminating ink from the skin which can take some time to process. While results will become apparent within a few weeks, it is not unusual for the body to take more than a year to completely eliminate ink.

What if I hate my tattoo?

You can wear clothing like long sleeve shirts, put on waterproof makeup, or just use a bandage to keep your tat out of sight. For those that want to erase all evidence of their ink, you can either get another tattoo over it or have it removed at a clinic that specializes in skin conditions.

How painful is tattoo removal?

Depending on what type of tattoo removal you choose, there may be varying levels of pain or discomfort. Some people say that removal feels the same as getting a tattoo, while others liken it to the feeling of a rubber band being snapped against their skin. Your skin may be sore after the procedure.

Where does tattoo ink go after a laser hits it?

Once broken down, the ink particles enter the lymphatic system and are processed similarly to other waste products. The body filters these particles through the liver and kidneys. While you don't literally “pee out” the ink, the kidneys filter waste, eventually exiting the body through urine.

Can tattoos 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.

How much is it to remove a 6 inch tattoo?

Across the United States, laser tattoo removal cost can range between $200 to $500 per removal treatment, which usually varies based on factors like tattoo size. At Removery, we also offer the option to pay-per-session and the average cost per removal session is $175 to $600, depending on the size of the tattoo.

Does tattoo removal leave scars?

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.

Can you get a tattoo removed immediately?

A doctor cuts your tattoo from your skin, so surgical excision is a quick and immediate solution if you are in a hurry to get rid of unwanted ink. The entire treatment is performed under anesthetic, so it is relatively pain-free.

How to fade a tattoo faster?

Factors like sun exposure, skin elasticity, friction, improper aftercare, smoking, and tanning can accelerate tattoo fading. Natural methods like exfoliation and using lightening agents may help fade tattoos, but professional laser removal is the most reliable and safest option.

Are old tattoos easier to remove?

Older tattoos generally fade more easily with laser treatments than newer ones. For instance, a black tattoo that is ten years old may take one or two treatments less than a one year old black tattoo. Why? Because the body has already absorbed some of the tattoo's pigment throughout the years, making it easier to fade.

What happens if you get laser tattoo removal too soon?

We hope to achieve great results for you, which is why we ask patients to wait six weeks before laser treating a fresh tattoo. We do not want to increase your risk of scarring or harm your skin unnecessarily. Other complications from getting treatment too early include excessive blistering and skin discoloration.

Can a tattoo be removed in one session?

Can tattoos be removed in one session? It's very rare that a tattoo can be removed in just one treatment. The only cases where we've seen that happen were very light tattoos, applied in an amateur manner on fair skin.

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