How Long Does It Take to Remove a Tattoo?

Most tattoo removals take anywhere between 6 to 8 weeks and some may extend for as long as 6 months. However, an expert tattoo removal clinic will quickly gauge the time since you had the tattoo.

Questions like is it possible to completely remove a tattoo? Or How Long Does It Take to Remove a Tattoo?

 Let’s dive deeper and help you understand the process and know how things determine the duration it takes to remove a tattoo completely. 

How soon can you remove a tattoo?

This is an unfortunate question you might find yourself asking right now. It means you received a tattoo and are not too satisfied with it. How long do you have to wait to start removing a tattoo?

You may think that since the tattoo is fresh, removing it immediately is the ideal course of action, as the ink has not settled in the skin. Unluckily, that is impossible, and no professional tattoo removal service will accept you until your tattoo has completely healed.

It may look to have healed after a week or even a few days, but it has not. Many tattoos take at least six to eight weeks, while bigger ones can take up to six months.

A reputational tattoo removal studio can gauge how recently you had the tattoo. You need to trust them when they tell you it is in your best interest to be honest with them about how long it has been. Or else, you put yourself at risk of complications such as infections.

For that reason, you should treat your tattoo the same way you would one you are satisfied with. That suggests following the necessary aftercare regime.

The faster and better it heals, the sooner you can get it removed.

Tattoo Removal Methods

Depending on the type of tattoo, its size, and the depth it has reached inside your skin, the methods may vary. If you have got it recently, you might need to get a professional to do the process for you. However, if the tattoo has faded out and it’s been a while since you had it, it could be worth trying possible home remedies. Some common methods that experts use to remove tattoos include:

1. Laser Removal
2. Dermabrasion 
3. Surgical Excision 

In most cases, tattoo removal works but some tattoos might be difficult to remove compared to others. Old tattoos or stick and poke tattoos are easy to remove than a new one. Colors like black, dark blue, green, brown, etc. are comparatively easy to remove. In contrast, larger or more colorful tattoos take considerable time and are expensive to remove. 

Some conditions and side effects might also determine the difficulty level of removing tattoos. For instance, it’s difficult to remove a tattoo in the following cases:

• Dark Skin
• Preexisting skin diseases like eczema 
• Health conditions like herpes that affect your skin 

However, in any of the cases mentioned above, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible to remove the tattoo. It only signifies that the removal would take more time compared to normal conditions.

Different Kinds of Tattoo Removals

There are multiple factors to consider when considering removing your tattoo. They include: 

1. Scarring risk
2. Costs
3. Effectiveness 
4. Time required 

Each of these factors largely depends on the tattoo’s complexity, condition, and size. Your skin type also plays a vital role. Some common types of tattoo removal processes are:

Treatment	Scarring risk	Costs	Effectiveness	Time required
Laser Removal	Low	$450-$4000	Medium	7 to 10 sessions
Surgical Removal	High	$200-$1500	High	1 to 2 Sessions
Dermabrasion	Medium	$800- $5000	High	1 Sessions

• Laser Removal: Usually, Depending on the size laser removal will cost around $450 – $4000. One may need 7 to 10 sessions to altogether remove the tattoo. The tattoo will sometimes remain significantly lighter but might not be removed completely. Proper aftercare measures will reduce the chances of scarring considerably. 
• Surgical Removal: Depending on the size of the tattoo, the tattoo removal price could be anywhere between $200 to $1,500. In most cases, only one seating is enough, while in some cases, multiple seating may be advised. Scarring risk is high in this process, but a tattoo is completely removed. 
• Dermabrasion: Again, depending on the size of your tattoo, the costs may vary from several hundred to thousands of dollars. A single session is enough to remove the tattoo, but the intensity and scarring risk may vary from one person to the other. 

Are Home Treatments Effective To Remove a Tattoo?

Chemical peels or tattoo removal creams are commonly available and are among the least expensive options. However, there is no solid evidence that proves they work effectively. Initially, they might lighten a tattoo but, in some cases, might end up causing severe chemical burns. 

There is a risk that may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. This is the reason why most experts never recommend using DIY tattoo removal creams to get rid of a tattoo. 

Related: How to fade a tattoo 

Is it Possible to Completely Remove A Tattoo?

Lasers are effective in completely removing a tattoo and they are both safe and effective tool that removes unwanted tattoos. However, the option might need you to sit for multiple sessions before the tattoo is completely removed. Having said that, 100% removal is only possible in limited cases. 

How Can The Process of Tattoo Removal Be Expediated?

Certain precautions and aftercare measures can help you speed up the process of tattoo removal. Some important ones have been mentioned below:

• Avoid sun exposure 
• Regular exercise 
• Get adequate sleep 
• Drink adequate water 
• Consume immunity-boosting foods 
• Avoid smoking 
• Strictly follow aftercare measures

Will Removing Tattoos Leave Scars?

Usually, proper removal of the tattoo won’t leave any scar, especially if you go with the laser treatment. However, you also need to ensure that proper laser protocols and aftercare measures are practiced. If your skin already has some conditions, there are chances that scarring may happen. 

What factors impact how fast a tattoo can be removed by laser? 

Your tattoo’s fading progression is influenced by a number of variables. These are a few of these crucial elements:

• Location of the tattoo and skin tone

It is widely believed that tattoos placed on darker skin tones are more difficult to remove than those on lighter skin tones. While this may be true to some extent, there are a number of other factors that play a role in how fast a tattoo can be removed, including the location of the tattoo.

In general, tattoos located on areas of the body that have less fat and more muscle tend to be more difficult to remove. This is because the ink is more deeply embedded in the skin. Tattoos on the arms and legs are typically easier to remove than those on the chest or back.

• Layered tattoos or cover-ups

Layered tattoos (often when a patient tries to cover up their first tattoo with another one) are challenging to remove and need more treatments than singular tattoos.

Many tattoo inks are translucent. That means using darker ink tones to cover the previous tattoos is important. The new layer is darker and bigger, but full tattoo removal can be challenging.

• Tissue damage or scarring 

People with darker skin types risk developing skin tissue damage or scars during the tattooing process. Further, ink pigments under scar tissue are more challenging to eliminate and need more treatments.

Scarring can also be the outcome of poor tattoo aftercare. If the tattoo never properly healed, the ink could be embedded in scar tissue. It is more difficult to eliminate ink from scar tissue than from healthy skin.

• Amount of ink 

Remember that the amount of ink utilized is another factor that impacts laser tattoo removal. Professional-made tattoos have a higher volume or density of pigment deep in the skin.

Meanwhile, DIY tattooing is often superficial, uneven, and performed with less ink.

• General health 

A strong and stable immune system is your best ally in fast tattoo removal. Laser treatment utilizes heat to break down ink particles in the tattoo.

The body should still clear such particles. However, the more active the immune system is, the faster those broken-down ink particles are carried away.

• Ink color 

Normally, black, blue, and green are simpler to remove, while white, yellow, orange, and red inks are gradually more complicated.

• Age of the tattoo

Older tattoos are more susceptible to pigment fading and might be more easily removed than newer tattoos.

• Size of the tattoo

One variable, which is undisputed, is that bigger tattoos need more treatments than smaller tattoos. In fact, a 2010 study found that tattoos more than twelve inches in diameter were least successfully removed after ten treatments.

• DIY or professional tattoo 

Professional tattoo artists strive for their tattoos to last. Therefore, they use enough ink that is placed deeply into your skin.

The deeper the pink, the more challenging the removal. A DIY artist might utilize less ink, but their tattoos are more likely to scar more.

It is more complicated to eliminate if your tattoo has scarred over because the ink gets buried deep in the skin.

• Smoking

The study we mentioned earlier found that smoking has a negative effect on successful tattoo removal.

Participants who smoked regularly had a seventy percent lower removal rate after ten sessions than their non-smoking counterparts.

That minimized success rate is associated with the direct impacts of smoking on wound healing.

Is there a way to speed up the tattoo removal and fading?

Note that faster tattoo removal depends on the laser technology used by the tattoo removal clinic and your immune system.

Laser tattoo removal technology has enhanced over the past years since its introduction in 1967. Another crucial factor is melanin.

Melanin slows down the laser treatment due to the precautions taken to guarantee safe treatment. Unfortunately, sunlight also causes the skin to create more melanin.

Thus, safeguard the tattooed area to be treated. Ensure you do not expose it to UV radiation or sunlight at least a month before your treatment. It will also help to wear sunscreen with an SPF 30 or more regularly to protect your skin.

Does tattoo removal hurt more than getting tattooed?

Individuals have different pain tolerance levels and anxiety about pain. However, laser tattoo removal feels less challenging than getting tattooed.

Most people compare the pain of tattoo removal to the discomfort caused by a sunburn.

You may be wondering, does tattoo removal hurt a lot more on some body parts than others? Certainly,

The body parts where your skin is closer to the bone are sensitive to a tattoo needle. Unfortunately, that means they are also more sensitive to lasers.

Getting a tattoo can feel like being scratched with hot claws or being licked by a cat’s rough tongue, depending on the tattoo’s location.

So, how much does a tattoo hurt as opposed to a laser tattoo removal? Remember that laser tattoo removal is not as painful as scraping with hot claws. Nonetheless, particular body parts will feel more sensitive than others do.

Most people say it feels horrible but surely bearable. Of course, you would not like to experience it all day. But for ten or fifteen minutes, many people find that it is not a big deal.

How long after you have had a tattoo removed can you get it covered with another tattoo?

Your mind and soul need time to recover from a divorce or breakup. Your body needs the same.

A minimum of six to eight weeks is suggested but ensure the removed tattoo has completely healed. Your tattoo removal expert can confirm that at your last treatment or follow-up visit.

There should be no signs of bleeding, scarring, or blistering.

After you have the official clearing, you can visit some tattoo studios and start hunting for a dependable artist who can work on your new skin. Make sure you find the ideal design this time.

Remember that even slight scar tissue could pose challenges for your tattoo artist. The skin surface will be uneven, and the ink won’t distribute itself similarly.

That’s why it’s important to find a trained and experienced tattoo artist and follow the advice of the tattoo removal expert before jumping the gun and returning to the tattoo chair.

Remember that scar tissue may lie on the nerve endings, meaning tattoos done on scar tissues are more painful. Either way, you may feel a differentiating feeling from a new tattoo.

After your tattoo specialist finishes the project, you like to follow all of the aftercare instructions diligently. That’s because a lack of proper tattoo aftercare could cause a substandard tattoo that may warrant removal down the road. Who likes to do that same process again?

Who is a good candidate for tattoo removal? 

The ideal candidate for tattoo removal is a person with fair skin and dark tattoos. Laser technology has improved in leaps and bounds since its infancy, so it’s safe for people with dark skin to get treatment.

You must know that you may need an additional removal session if you have darker skin and a dark tattoo.

The ideal candidates for tattoo removal are those who don’t smoke and have healthy habits, like minimal consumption of processed foods, minimal alcohol consumption, regular physical activity, and eating a healthy diet.

The healthier you are, your tattoo removal treatment will be more successful. A strong immune system is necessary to dispose of the ink particles broken down by the laser treatment.

frequently asked questions

Concluding Remarks

Hopefully, we covered your question how long will it take to remove your tattoo? Like it would be best if you went with an experienced tattoo artist when getting a tattoo; you need to go with the right treatment when removing the same. The above methods are proven effective, but the process to adopt entirely depends on your skin type and the kind of tattoo you have. Hence, we strictly advise you to consult a skin specialist and an experienced tattoo removal studio before finalizing the treatment you should go forward with. 

Lastly, like any other process, tattoo removal takes its own time, and there are precautions you need to take. Stay patient and follow the best methods to ensure your tattoo is removed and your skin isn’t damaged.