“Once you know you're unhappy with a tattoo on your body, immediately start using a zinc oxide sunscreen on it,” says Cirlin. Lather up on the sunscreen prior to your sessions. (FYI: The previous explanation was that, similar to laser hair removal, the laser would solely be attracted toward dark colors, like black.) With PicoSure technology, he says you can even get out yellows and greens, which were previously the most stubborn. All ink can be taken out.Ĭontrary to the old belief that light, colored ink was hard to remove, Adams assured me that all hues will now disappear-no matter your skin tone. Your tattoo removal cost can also will vary based on the size, color, and age of your tattoo. But see point number one for why it's worth it. Brace yourself: The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery estimates the average cost per session at $463. If you have your procedures done by a doctor, the bill for each visit can run you hundreds of dollars. The regeneration period is up to eight weeks, and the next time you go, the laser breaks down new particles of pigment. It takes a long time to complete because each time the tattoo is lasered, particles are broken down and digested by the body's immune system. This allows your body to break down as much of the tattoo as it can while also giving your body the opportunity to heal completely before your next session.'Īs of writing this, I've had six sessions, and I'd wager that I need about five more, despite the fact that my initial estimate was six to eight sessions. “Laser treatments should be scheduled three months apart from one another so you get the most out of each treatment. (I wish!) “A complete tattoo removal takes a minimum of 2 1/2 years on average,” says Bethany Cirlin, tattoo removal specialist and owner of Clean Canvas More Art.

Tattoos don't just disappear after a once-over with the laser.

It will take months-if not a year or more. I suggest you find your own removal expert by asking friends, influencers, or even by stopping people that you see with removal in process-which, yes, I have done. Adams, M.D., at the New York Dermatology Group, where everything is done under medical supervision. This time around, I got my treatments done by John F. I'd previously had one tattoo zapped at a spa (I was living in small-town Canada where there weren't plastic surgery offices or dermatologists), where an aesthetician used an outdated heat laser that ended up burning and scarring my skin. Consider a doctor or a tattoo removal specialist.

Never back down tattoo