How long does laser tattoo removal take?

How many sessions will be needed before my tattoo is removed? What factors influence how long it will take?

Answers from doctors (3)


Brooklyn Laser Tattoo Removal, Inc.

Published on Mar 29, 2016

It takes a lot longer than putting the tattoo on. Think about this: the ink was made to stay inside your skin forever and now there are safe ways to remove the ink and have excellent skin without causing scars. That is amazing. Sometimes the tattoo process causes scars, but the scars are hidden by the ink. So after the ink is removed, they may become visible. We searched for the best school in the country to obtain laser and safety education. Their focus was safety, safety, safety. We learned how to remove tattoos without causing blisters. Going slower has its advantages, and going faster has its advantages. The largest mistake most people make is focusing on the laser, which is the smallest part of the whole process. It's 90 percent the body and 10% the laser. The body has to remove the lasered ink. WE EDUCATE PEOPLE IN THE MANY SPECIFIC (Evidence Based) THINGS THEY CAN DO TO ASSIST THEIR BODY's REMOVAL. Most people make the mistake of wanting more laser energy to cause a blister and breaking up more ink at each treatment rather than focusing on helping their body to remove the ink better. We spent a lot of time researching which specific nutrients speed the process. The more a person wants to do to speed the process, the faster their results will be. The same goes for health improvement. Sometimes “impossible results” are really just not well-known. We are wellness educators, enhancing the knowledge of doctors and patients.

We take exception to laser companies using less than ethical methods to promote the newest generation of lasers. There is so much false and misleading advertising. If the promises seem to good to be true ask them to put it in writing. We have treated people from 1 to 6 times (some are “finished” with only 1, only2 and only 3 treatments). Many are in between and will need more treatments since we opened our door in the summer of 2014 and many people do one treatment and “give up”. Realistic expectations and committing to a series of treatments while working with professionals who want to guide you based on your goals, is the best way to have successful outcome. Having 3 actual laser wavelengths delivered through an articulated arm is your best bet for being able to remove your ink. The industry considers 95% removal as “complete”. So when people want a 100% guaranty of removal or else they don't start, we tell them “wait till the technology advances. It is unethical to promise a specific result for a specific patient. We do provide a written agreement stating if there is more than 5% ink remaining after “x” we are willing to continue treating for up to an additional year AT NO EXTRA CHARGE. We add numbing cream is not included (most of our patients don't need. We have 6 methods of pain reduction at our disposal).

Stay out of the sun, eat as nutritious as possible, reduce stress, have a good mental state and lifestyle and your tattoos will come off. Safety first. Your skin will be with you the rest of your life.

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Answered by Brooklyn Laser Tattoo Removal, Inc.

It takes a lot longer than putting the tattoo on. Think about this: the ink was made to stay inside your skin forever and now there are safe ways to remove the ink and have excellent skin without causing scars. That is amazing. Sometimes the tattoo process causes scars, but the scars are hidden by the ink. So after the ink is removed, they may become visible. We searched for the best school in the country to obtain laser and safety education. Their focus was safety, safety, safety. We learned how to remove tattoos without causing blisters. Going slower has its advantages, and going faster has its advantages. The largest mistake most people make is focusing on the laser, which is the smallest part of the whole process. It's 90 percent the body and 10% the laser. The body has to remove the lasered ink. WE EDUCATE PEOPLE IN THE MANY SPECIFIC (Evidence Based) THINGS THEY CAN DO TO ASSIST THEIR BODY's REMOVAL. Most people make the mistake of wanting more laser energy to cause a blister and breaking up more ink at each treatment rather than focusing on helping their body to remove the ink better. We spent a lot of time researching which specific nutrients speed the process. The more a person wants to do to speed the process, the faster their results will be. The same goes for health improvement. Sometimes “impossible results” are really just not well-known. We are wellness educators, enhancing the knowledge of doctors and patients.

We take exception to laser companies using less than ethical methods to promote the newest generation of lasers. There is so much false and misleading advertising. If the promises seem to good to be true ask them to put it in writing. We have treated people from 1 to 6 times (some are “finished” with only 1, only2 and only 3 treatments). Many are in between and will need more treatments since we opened our door in the summer of 2014 and many people do one treatment and “give up”. Realistic expectations and committing to a series of treatments while working with professionals who want to guide you based on your goals, is the best way to have successful outcome. Having 3 actual laser wavelengths delivered through an articulated arm is your best bet for being able to remove your ink. The industry considers 95% removal as “complete”. So when people want a 100% guaranty of removal or else they don't start, we tell them “wait till the technology advances. It is unethical to promise a specific result for a specific patient. We do provide a written agreement stating if there is more than 5% ink remaining after “x” we are willing to continue treating for up to an additional year AT NO EXTRA CHARGE. We add numbing cream is not included (most of our patients don't need. We have 6 methods of pain reduction at our disposal).

Stay out of the sun, eat as nutritious as possible, reduce stress, have a good mental state and lifestyle and your tattoos will come off. Safety first. Your skin will be with you the rest of your life.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The number of sessions vary from person to person. The laser will explode/active the ink molecules, but the actual removal is done by your body, starting with macrophages (think tiny Pac-Men below the skin). The body then eliminates the ink molecules through its natural waste removal process. There are no standards in the tattoo industry, so inks, depth of application, amount of ink infused, colors etc. all add variables and determine the success of your tattoo removal treatments.

A typical tattoo could take 3-10 treatments, but there really are no guarantees. There is no way to predict the number.

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

The number of sessions vary from person to person. The laser will explode/active the ink molecules, but the actual removal is done by your body, starting with macrophages (think tiny Pac-Men below the skin). The body then eliminates the ink molecules through its natural waste removal process. There are no standards in the tattoo industry, so inks, depth of application, amount of ink infused, colors etc. all add variables and determine the success of your tattoo removal treatments.

A typical tattoo could take 3-10 treatments, but there really are no guarantees. There is no way to predict the number.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Celibre Medical Corporation

Published on Oct 26, 2009

Tattoo removal is generally between 5-15 treatments with approximately 6 weeks between treatments. The factors that will influence how long it takes are the quality of ink, whether the tattoo was done professionally or by an amateur, how recently the tattoo was applied, what colors it is, which laser is used and how skilled the practitioner is.

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

Tattoo removal is generally between 5-15 treatments with approximately 6 weeks between treatments. The factors that will influence how long it takes are the quality of ink, whether the tattoo was done professionally or by an amateur, how recently the tattoo was applied, what colors it is, which laser is used and how skilled the practitioner is.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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