How long does the ink stay in the body?

After the treatment, how long does the ink stay in the body before the blood cells carry it away?I would like to move forward with tattoo removal treatments, but I am planning to get pregnant in September, when do I stop the treatments to be safe?

Answers from doctors (4)


To date, there have been no studies on this. Macrophages in the dermis take up the ink, and it is excreted through the normal kidneys/liver, etc. We consider the healing time to be at least 6 weeks, but the process of ink absorption can go on for longer. We have seen people return after a summer break from treatments who have had continued fading. If you are planning pregnancy, I would cease treatments over the summer to be safe.

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

To date, there have been no studies on this. Macrophages in the dermis take up the ink, and it is excreted through the normal kidneys/liver, etc. We consider the healing time to be at least 6 weeks, but the process of ink absorption can go on for longer. We have seen people return after a summer break from treatments who have had continued fading. If you are planning pregnancy, I would cease treatments over the summer to be safe.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Celibre Medical Corporation

Published on Mar 17, 2016

There is no clear answer to this question. As soon as you have a tattoo placed, the body's immune system starts to remove it, which is why tattoos become blurry or faded over many years. Laser treatments speed up this process to the point where you can remove a tattoo within several months to a year or two. But there have been no studies to our knowledge on the effect that ink particles that are being removed have on the body. Most of the removal happens within a couple months of the treatment though, so if you are concerned about this, then perhaps you should have the tattoo removed after the pregnancy.

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Answered by Celibre Medical Corporation

There is no clear answer to this question. As soon as you have a tattoo placed, the body's immune system starts to remove it, which is why tattoos become blurry or faded over many years. Laser treatments speed up this process to the point where you can remove a tattoo within several months to a year or two. But there have been no studies to our knowledge on the effect that ink particles that are being removed have on the body. Most of the removal happens within a couple months of the treatment though, so if you are concerned about this, then perhaps you should have the tattoo removed after the pregnancy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Brooklyn Laser Tattoo Removal, Inc.

Published on Feb 26, 2016

Unless removed, the ink lasts for life. I have a question: Are you doing anything nutritionally to prepare your body before pregnancy? Have you completed a full detox many months before? Many factors involved in this question.

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Answered by Brooklyn Laser Tattoo Removal, Inc.

Unless removed, the ink lasts for life. I have a question: Are you doing anything nutritionally to prepare your body before pregnancy? Have you completed a full detox many months before? Many factors involved in this question.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Celibre Medical Corporation

Published on Mar 21, 2011

Tattoo removal is a very slow process, typically occurring over 5-15
treatments in a period of 6 months - 3 years. If you get pregnant, we
would just recommend putting your treatment program on hold.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/6573_1439482825.jpg
Answered by Celibre Medical Corporation

Tattoo removal is a very slow process, typically occurring over 5-15
treatments in a period of 6 months - 3 years. If you get pregnant, we
would just recommend putting your treatment program on hold.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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