Why is my tattoo not coming off with laser?

Author: Macie Nitzsche  |  Last update: Monday, November 24, 2025

There are plenty of possible reasons why a laser treatment can't get rid of the tattoo on the skin, but it's mostly because of the type of laser used and its wavelength. Other reasons might be the inexperienced laser technician and the age of the tattoo.

Why is my tattoo not going away with laser?

Lasers can only break up the ink into smaller particles. It's up to your body's lymphatic systems ability to carry it away. We recommend waiting 2-4 months between treatments. It's going to take several treatments to get rid of the lines and very dark shading on your tattoo.

Is it possible for laser tattoo removal to not work?

There are many instances of laser tattoo removal not working, although in my opinion, full tattoo removal is possible assuming no scarring in the treatment area, that the ink is black, and that you continue with treatments till the end game leaving at least 6 months between treatments.

Why isn't my tattoo coming off?

What causes tattoos to not peel? The ink gets injected deep inside of the dermis, and the ink particles are so big that no cells can digest them. Tattoos with shading or colour might not peel as much. Tattoos should flake rather than scab. This is a sign of perfect healing. Use tattoo aftercare. Keep it clean.

Why is my laser removal not working?

Ineffective laser hair removal may be a result of inappropriate wavelength, underpowered laser (low fluence or hand piece that requires replacement), underlying medical or hormonal condition (ie testosterone levels, et), or provider with not using appropriate technique or settings.

Practitioner Debunks 10 Myths About Laser Tattoo Removal | London

What happens if laser treatment doesn't work?

Laser hair removal may not work for a number of reasons. The most common ones are: Your hair growth is due to a hormonal imbalance – although a hormonal imbalance poses an extra set of problems, with thorough treatment, it is still possible to inhibit excess hair growth.

Why is my laser tattoo removal taking so long?

The amount of time it takes for you to see your laser tattoo removal process starts to fade depends on how your body responds to the treatment. The kind of ink used is also a major factor. Getting rid of a tattoo completely takes multiple sessions, but the results accumulate with each one.

How do you remove a stubborn tattoo?

The PicoWay™ Laser is the best method of removing a tattoo once-and-for-all. It far outstrips other methods, such as IPL, do-it-yourself creams, or tattoo cover-ups. PicoWay™ is effective, fast, and virtually pain-free, producing much better results than traditional lasers and with half as many sessions.

Why is my tattoo not disappearing?

Age, underlying health conditions, hydration, activity level and other lifestyle choices play a role in how quickly your tattoo is removed. The more birthdays you've had, the longer it may take your tattoo to fade due to the fact that your immune system typically weakens with age.

Why does it look like ink is coming out of my tattoo?

While a new tattoo can push out ink, along with blood and plasma, it typically does no harm and doesn't lead to a tattoo blowout. This leaking typically lasts no more than 48 hours. However, bruising from a new tattoo can make it look a little blurred or smudged as it goes through the healing process.

How can I speed up laser tattoo removal?

5 Tips for Speeding Up Your Tattoo Removal
  1. Take Your Time. When you're in a hurry to abandon an unwanted tattoo, it's important to take your time between laser tattoo removal sessions. ...
  2. Wear Sunscreen. ...
  3. Sweat It Out. ...
  4. Quit Smoking. ...
  5. Follow Doctor's Orders. ...
  6. BONUS: Use The Describe Patch.

How to tell if laser tattoo removal is working?

Your removal journey might be complete after three sessions. If you're looking for a full removal experience, you are well on your way through the process. After Session 3, you will probably see significant fading on your tattoo. Some elements might be on their way to being “fully” faded.

Can laser 100% remove a tattoo?

Laser tattoo removal treatment can make most tattoos much harder to see, but it might not get rid of the tattoo completely. Even if you can't see the tattoo itself anymore, you might also have a scar, or a patch that's darker or lighter than the skin around it.

What are 5 factors that affect how a tattoo responds to laser removal?

Factors That Determine How Quickly A Tattoo Can Be Removed
  • Ink color: Typically green, blue, and black inks are easier to remove, while red, orange, yellow, and white inks are progressively more challenging. ...
  • Tattoo Age: ...
  • Tattoo Size: ...
  • Smoking: ...
  • Skin Color: ...
  • Tattoo Location. ...
  • Amount of Ink: ...
  • Scarring or tissue damage:

Are some tattoos impossible to remove?

Tattoo Ink

Green is the hardest color to remove followed by light blue. Neon colors are also incredibly difficult to remove and typically require multiple treatments with the Ruby laser. As a general rule, the greater the contrast between the color of the tattoo pigment and your skin, the better the result.

Why is laser not removing my tattoo?

Inexperienced Laser Technician

Like with any cosmetic procedure, the provider's skill directly affects the success of the treatment. Even with the right laser type and wavelength used, a tattoo won't be removed if the inexperienced technician keeps on treating the same area for too long.

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?

How to help a tattoo fade after laser?

10 Best Ways to Improve Laser Tattoo Removal Process and Fading
  1. Treat your body like a temple.
  2. Avoid the sun.
  3. Stay hydrated.
  4. Stimulate with massage.
  5. Rest after every appointment.
  6. Stay on schedule.
  7. Avoid infection.
  8. Sleep properly.

What makes a tattoo harder to remove?

  1. Ink Color. The easiest colors to remove are black, blue and green; while colors such as yellow, white, orange and red prove to be more difficult.
  2. Tattoo Age. The older the tattoo, the easier it may be to remove. ...
  3. Tattoo Size. ...
  4. Skin Tone or Color. ...
  5. Location of the Tattoo. ...
  6. Amount of Ink. ...
  7. Layered Tattoos.

How much does it cost to remove a tattoo with laser?

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.

How to remove a permanent tattoo at home?

Removing Tattoos at Home
  1. Salabrasion – peels a thin layer of the epidermis by rubbing salt at the skin's surface. ...
  2. Yogurt and aloe vera – are not dangerous for the skin, but they're not effective in removing tattoos either.
  3. Sand – is meant to mimic dermabrasion. ...
  4. Lemon juice – is known to lighten the skin.

How can I speed up my laser tattoo removal?

You can take steps to strengthen your immune system so that it can do its job efficiently and get rid of ink particles quickly after each laser treatment.
  1. Refrain from smoking. ...
  2. Exercise regularly. ...
  3. Get enough rest. ...
  4. One way to increase blood flow to the tattoo area is to massage it gently. ...
  5. Drink a lot. ...
  6. Reduce stress.

Why is my laser treatment taking so long?

Hair transitions from active to resting and resting to active about every 6 to 8 weeks. This is why laser hair removal appointments are scheduled about that far apart and why the entire process can then take more than a year.

Can a tattoo be too deep to remove?

It's relatively common for tattoo removal to not remove a tattoo completely. But some tattoo removal procedures will completely remove the tattoo from your body. When tattoo removal isn't 100% successful, some colors of tattoo dye resist removal, and some pigment is too deep for lasers to reach, for example.

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