A laser tattoo removal session only takes around 40 minutes or less. But the recovery period lasts for several weeks. After each session, your skin needs time to heal and carry away the tattoo ink particles.
A single treatment can last anywhere from one minute to an hour. Depending on the tattoo, more sessions might be required to completely remove it. The size of the tattoo is the most important determinant of how long the session will last.
The average number of sessions necessary for complete tattoo removal is 6-10, although it can be more than 10, depending on certain factors, which are described below.
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.
Generally, amateur or homemade tattoo may be removed within 3 to 7 sessions, while professional tattoos done with harder inks can require anywhere from 8 to 20 treatments. It is possible for some tattoos to require more than 20 laser treatments.
Laser Tattoo Removal After 1 Session
After the first session, most people can expect some significant fading, especially outlines. It's also important to note that differences in your tattoo will affect how the fading appears. You might see substantial fading in one portion of your tattoo and less in others.
How you treat your skin, and its condition, affects tattoo removal as much as when you got the tattoo. Though most people find that there's little to no scarring from the process, it does happen. More frequently occurring in those with darker skin tones, scarring can come about due to a loss of pigmentation.
Yes, lasers can remove tattoos completely. In fact, lasers are the safest, most effective tool to remove unwanted tattoos with. However, you may need to receive several sessions before the tattoo is removed completely.
The three layers of skin
Whether you're getting a tattoo or getting one removed, the process directly involves the skin. It's helpful to understand the skin and its layers to fully appreciate the process of tattooing and tattoo removal. The skin is made up of three layers: the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis.
A tattoo above 35 square inches—about the size of a postcard—qualifies as large. Multiplying the height by the width will tell you the size of your tattoo in square inches. The cost of tattoo removal is determined by the number of sessions needed, which depends on the size.
R20 Method for Fast Tattoo Removal
The R20 is the fastest tattoo removal option that can be done in one or two in-office treatments. Past removal treatments could take up to 2 years to clear a tattoo altogether.
The short answer to “are newer tattoos easier to remove” is “no”. Newer tattoos aren't easier to remove via laser technology than older tattoos.
Laser tattoo removal not fading can be caused by several factors. Some of which are the type of laser used, laser wavelength and ink colour, the laser technicians experience, recovery time between each session, and your immune system. Tattoo removal using laser treatment is not magic.
While there are pros AND cons of tattoo removal, for the most part, it's a positive experience for all. Whether you regret getting your tattoo or you're ready for a change, there's good news. Laser tattoo removal is an effective method for erasing unwanted ink!
In short, yes, a tattoo can be removed completely. Each patient's tattoo removal experience is different, as many variables can come into play during this process.
From the Second Week Onwards After Tattoo Removal
You might notice the treated skin looking darker as the pigment rises to the surface of the skin. The area around it might lighten (hypopigmentation) or darken (hyperpigmentation) too. This is completely normal and will fade with time.
Our experts recommend waiting until your tattoo has completely healed which can take around six to eight weeks after having the tattoo before you start your removal sessions. This will help avoid damage to your skin.
Unfortunately, this is not viable, and no professional tattoo removal service will accept you until the tattoo has fully healed. While it may appear to have healed after a week or even a few days, it hasn't. Most tattoos take anywhere from 6-8 weeks, while larger ones can take up to 6-months.
And while getting a tattoo can take hours, laser removal sessions only take a few minutes. The number of sessions ranges depending on your tattoo's size, but each session is less painful than the last.
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.
Tattoo ink will often oxidize which is what happens to white ink when laser treated. The white pigmentation turns into a darker pigment because the laser breaks the particles apart into tiny fragments which oxidize with the light exposure and the tattoo often turns into a light brown or blue shade.