For Tattoo Removal is it done in sections or all at once?

When someone has a tattoo removed do you cover the entire area of ink or is the tattoo removed in sections.

Answers from doctors (4)


This really depends upon the size of the tattoo, location and complexity. For large areas of the body, we treat in sections. For full circumferential tattoos on a limb, we only treat the front or back in one session, so if any swelling occurs, it will not impair the circulation. Most smaller tattoos (size of the hand) can be comfortably treated in one session every 6-8 weeks.

Answered by Clean Slate Tattoo Removal at Vein Specialties (View Profile)

This really depends upon the size of the tattoo, location and complexity. For large areas of the body, we treat in sections. For full circumferential tattoos on a limb, we only treat the front or back in one session, so if any swelling occurs, it will not impair the circulation. Most smaller tattoos (size of the hand) can be comfortably treated in one session every 6-8 weeks.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Brooklyn Laser Tattoo Removal, Inc.

Published on Feb 27, 2016

If the tattoo is larger than a certain size, or if the patient has multiple tattoos, we like to break it up and have people come back after 4 or 5 weeks. Assuming we divide it in 2 sections, we designate them as "A" and "B". Since we generally like an 8-week or 10-week interval as a minimum before doing the same area, we do "A" then 4/5 weeks later "B," then 4/5 weeks later "A," and so on. This lessens the burden the immune system has to remove the ink. When too large an area is done, the body shuts down or slows down. There are many things that can be done to enhance the immune system's ability to remove the ink and speed up the process. Remember the body must remove the ink and actually does most of the work.

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Answered by Brooklyn Laser Tattoo Removal, Inc.

If the tattoo is larger than a certain size, or if the patient has multiple tattoos, we like to break it up and have people come back after 4 or 5 weeks. Assuming we divide it in 2 sections, we designate them as "A" and "B". Since we generally like an 8-week or 10-week interval as a minimum before doing the same area, we do "A" then 4/5 weeks later "B," then 4/5 weeks later "A," and so on. This lessens the burden the immune system has to remove the ink. When too large an area is done, the body shuts down or slows down. There are many things that can be done to enhance the immune system's ability to remove the ink and speed up the process. Remember the body must remove the ink and actually does most of the work.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Change of Art Laser Tattoo Removal

Published on Feb 22, 2010

Most tattoos require multiple laser treatments to achieve removal. On the average, amateur tattoos can mostly be removed in 5 or 6 treatments, professional tattoos take more sessions to achieve removal (6-12 or more).
Depending on the size and location of the tattoo will impact whether all the ink is treated in one session or split into multiple sessions. For example, a tattoo covering a quarter sleeve or more would best be treated in 2 or 3 sessions. Small tattoos can usually be treated in one session. Circumferencial tattoos impact treating the tattoo in multiple sessions to avoid the risk of excessive compression of vital tissues related to swelling. These types of tattoos can be safely in 2-3 sessions rotating areas to minimize complications.

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Answered by Change of Art Laser Tattoo Removal

Most tattoos require multiple laser treatments to achieve removal. On the average, amateur tattoos can mostly be removed in 5 or 6 treatments, professional tattoos take more sessions to achieve removal (6-12 or more).
Depending on the size and location of the tattoo will impact whether all the ink is treated in one session or split into multiple sessions. For example, a tattoo covering a quarter sleeve or more would best be treated in 2 or 3 sessions. Small tattoos can usually be treated in one session. Circumferencial tattoos impact treating the tattoo in multiple sessions to avoid the risk of excessive compression of vital tissues related to swelling. These types of tattoos can be safely in 2-3 sessions rotating areas to minimize complications.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Celibre Medical Corporation

Published on Feb 22, 2010

It depends on the size of the tattoo. Laser tattoo removal can be painful so when we remove large areas (like the back) we may split the treatments into smaller sections so as to not have too long an appointment. If patient comfort is not an issue, then we can usuallyremove the full a area at once.

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Answered by Celibre Medical Corporation

It depends on the size of the tattoo. Laser tattoo removal can be painful so when we remove large areas (like the back) we may split the treatments into smaller sections so as to not have too long an appointment. If patient comfort is not an issue, then we can usuallyremove the full a area at once.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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