A laser breaks tattoo ink into smaller particles, which your body gradually clears away. Removal takes a long time, usually many sessions several weeks apart, and costs more than the tattoo itself. Black ink is easier to remove than coloured ink, but there's no guarantee the tattoo will disappear without a trace. Only have it removed by a doctor. If you want a new tattoo over the top, lightening the old one is often enough.
How laser removal works
Tattoo ink sits in a deep layer of the skin as particles too large for the body to clear on its own. The laser fires short pulses and breaks these particles into smaller ones, which the immune system then carries away bit by bit.
That's why a tattoo doesn't disappear in one session. It gets paler after each one, and the skin needs several weeks to clear the broken-up ink and recover before the next.
How many sessions, and how long?
The honest answer is that nobody can tell you exactly in advance. Full removal takes anywhere from a few months to a couple of years. The number of sessions depends on a lot of things:
- Ink density. Fine-line work is easier to remove than dense fill.
- Colour. Black responds best; some colours barely budge.
- Age of the tattoo. Older tattoos have already faded a little and are quicker to remove.
- Placement. On hands and feet the ink clears more slowly than on the shoulder or back.
- Skin and health. Dark skin needs extra care, and smoking and illness slow the process down.
Which colours fade more easily
A laser works at a specific wavelength, and each colour absorbs light in its own way. Black and dark grey are the easiest to remove. Red and orange usually respond, while green, light blue and especially white and pale shades are the hardest.
Sometimes pale inks darken with laser treatment instead of getting lighter. An experienced doctor tests for this reaction on a small patch first.
Does removal hurt? How does the skin heal?
Most people describe the feeling as a rubber band snapping against the skin. Removal is often more painful than getting the tattoo. On the plus side, sessions are short: a small tattoo takes just a few minutes. Discuss pain relief and cooling with your doctor.
After a session the skin behaves as if it has had a minor burn:
- it goes red and swells, sometimes turning white for a few minutes;
- blisters and scabs may appear — don't pop or pick them;
- until the skin has recovered, keep it out of the sun and away from steam and saunas;
- follow your doctor's aftercare advice, not the instructions for a fresh tattoo.
Risks and where to go
Even with a good laser and a good doctor, complete clearance isn't guaranteed. A faint outline may remain after the course, the skin where the design was may turn lighter or darker, and in rare cases a scar forms.
- “removal” creams and ointments don't work and can cause burns;
- chemical removal and acids leave scars;
- having a tattoo removed by an artist with no medical training, even someone you know, is a gamble with your skin.
Only have a tattoo removed by a doctor, either a dermatologist or a doctor at a medical clinic licensed for laser treatment. If you're prone to keloids, have dark skin or a chronic illness, or take medication that makes you more sensitive to light, mention it at the consultation.
Full removal or lightening
If you want a new tattoo in the same spot rather than clear skin, full removal often isn't necessary. It's enough to lighten the old design over a few sessions so an artist can cover it with a new one.
Before you book a full course of laser treatment, show the old tattoo to a tattoo artist. Sometimes it can be reworked or covered with almost no lightening. More in “Covering up an old tattoo”.
Before you book
Go through this list before your first session:
A fresh tattoo isn't treated with laser: the skin first has to recover fully from the session.
Removal takes time
The first few sessions make a noticeable difference, then the tattoo fades more slowly. That's normal. Take a photo after each session in the same light: progress is easier to see that way than in the mirror.
Frequently asked questions
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Can a tattoo be removed in one session?
No. Even a small piece needs several sessions with breaks in between while the body clears the ink.
Will there be a scar?
When the doctor knows what they're doing, scarring is rare. More often a faint outline remains, or the skin ends up a slightly different shade.
Can I have a tattoo removed in summer?
Yes, but the treated area will need to be kept completely out of the sun. Many people start their course in autumn, when there's less sun.
Can I get a new tattoo where one was removed?
Yes, once the skin has fully recovered. The doctor who handled the removal will tell you when.
