Tattoos are popular but permanent. The cost and effectiveness of your tattoo removal process will vary depending on the method, including how long you experience pain or discomfort after the procedure.
Tattoo removal generally works, but some tattoos are much harder to remove than others. Older tattoos as well as stick-and-poke tattoos, are easier to remove than newer ones, for example.
Some colors are easier to remove than others as well. These include:
- black
- brown
- dark blue
- green
Larger, more colorful tattoos are typically more time-consuming and expensive to remove than smaller, lighter, and less colorful ones.
Due to the risk of side effects, it may also be more difficult to remove tattoos if you have:
- darker skin
- a preexisting skin condition, like eczema
- a health condition that affects the skin, such as herpes
Types of tattoo removal
When thinking about tattoo removal options, you’ll want to consider several factors, including:
- cost
- scarring risk
- effectiveness
- time commitment
Again, these factors will depend largely on the size, complexity, and condition of your tattoo, as well as your skin.
Laser removal
Most experts consider laser removal to be the most successful and cost-effective way to remove tattoos. Often, lasers don’t completely remove a tattoo. Instead, they significantly lighten or fade it so it’s much less noticeable.
Today, most tattoos are removed with a Q-switched laser, which sends out energy in one strong pulse. This pulse of energy heats up the ink in your skin to dissolve it. You’ll need to receive a number of laser treatments over several weeks or longer to remove your tattoo. Older or less complex tattoos will require fewer sessions, while newer or more complex tattoos will require more.
If you have darker skin, you may want to consider Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatment, which is less likely to change the color of dark skin than traditional Q-switched lasers.
In general, it takes about 7 to 10 sessions to remove a tattoo with laser treatment. You’ll have to wait 6 to 8 weeks between sessions for best results.
Following each session, you’ll want to follow any aftercare instructions you’re given. Usually, this will involve applying antibacterial ointment to your skin for several days. The ointment will help heal your skin and reduce the risk of infection. Change the wound dressing each time you apply the ointment.
For at least the next 2 weeks:
- Keep the treated area clean and dry.
- Avoid wearing tight clothing.
- Avoid exposing the treated area to direct sunlight.
- Don’t pick at any scabs or blisters that form.
