Most people need six to eight sessions to remove a tattoo, although this depends on the tattoo’s size, color, and skin type. Typically, smaller tattoos require fewer treatments, while larger tattoos require more sessions. For example, small tattoos only a few centimeters or inches in size that do not require a lot of ink can be completely removed in as little as 4 or 5 sessions; For large tattoos with a lot of pigment deposits, 6 or more may be required.

Tattoo removal may take as many as twelve sessions spaced out over the span of about three months. However, certain tattoos can be removed more easily. Black and grey tattoos inks are the easiest to remove, while red is the most difficult. Professional tattoos are also easier to remove.

For very large tattoos, such as those covering the back, it usually takes 6 to 8 strokes to completely remove them. The time required for most removal sessions is directly related to the size of the tattoo, ranging from 10 to 20 minutes for smaller tattoos and 45 to 60 minutes for larger tattoos. Probably the most important factor in the number of sessions required to remove a tattoo is the ink used.

Common Durations for Tattoo Removal

Most people need 6 to 10 times, 6 to 8 weeks apart, to completely remove the tattoo. Most treatments are six to eight weeks apart, so for small to medium tattoos, the process can take several months. However, some tattoos may require as few as two treatments or as many as a dozen. The length of this treatment varies from person to person, but most patients require six to twelve sessions to completely remove the tattoo.

It takes several sessions to completely get rid of a tattoo, but the results add up with each one. For example, you may only need a few treatments to completely remove a small tattoo. As a result, you will usually need to go through several procedures to remove a professionally designed tattoo. To safely and effectively remove an old tattoo, you will need professional treatment.

Because tattoo removal involves a type of laser treatment, there are a few things you will need to do to prepare your skin for the procedure so that the session is safe and successful. Of course, we will need to examine your skin condition to determine if this or another treatment is appropriate for your tattoo removal.

Factors Affecting the Session Number

The number of treatments required for tattoo removal depends on several factors, so we can give you a better idea of ​​how many treatments you will need during your consultation. The size of your tattoo, the location of your tattoo, and many other factors will influence the overall duration of your treatment plan. In some cases, the size of your tattoo can also affect how long the entire treatment lasts. The size of unwanted ink is one of the most important factors affecting the time it takes to completely remove a tattoo.

But while most people will notice a significant improvement in the appearance of a tattoo with just one treatment, most people will need about 6-12 treatments to completely remove an unwanted tattoo. While you will see improvements after your treatment session, you will see more significant changes in your unwanted tattoo if you undergo more laser tattoo removal treatments.

Laser tattoo removal treatments are relatively gentle, so you don’t need to plan a break to return to work or other daily activities. The time it takes for the laser tattoo removal process to begin to disappear depends on your body’s response to the treatment. How well you take care of your tattoo after it is tattooed and how well it heals can also affect the speed and efficiency of the laser removal process.

The Importance of Waiting Between Sessions

Waiting will give your skin time to recover from the tattoo and make the removal process more efficient. This will allow your skin to heal after the tattoo process, making our treatment much more effective. If the tattoo you wish to treat is very new, we may require a six week waiting period before starting.

Generally, if you want to remove a tattoo younger than 12 months old, your treatment will last longer. As you can imagine, your treatment plan will be longer if your goal is to cover a larger area of ​​skin with the tattoo. Larger or newer tattoos with more vibrant designs will require more treatment.

Since the old drawing is likely to be less visible, we can quickly remove this type of tattoo. An old tattoo is already starting to fade and may be easier to remove than a new one. Small and old (half dollar size) black ink tattoos are the easiest to remove.

Black and Grey Tattoos Are Easier to Remove

In the case of black and grey tattoos, the shadows are usually not very dense at all and can usually be removed in 1-3 laser treatments. Overlay tattoos or “touch-up” tattoos usually contain a higher density of ink and require more laser treatment than single-layer tattoos.

Tattoos that go deep into the skin can take longer to fade, and some types of inks are more durable than others during laser treatment. Professional tattooists use high-quality inks and tattoo machines that inject pigment deeper into the skin, so professional tattoos take longer to remove than tattoos created by amateur artists or low-quality tools.

Because professional tattooists tend to use darker inks and use higher quality inks than amateur tattooists, amateur tattoos tend to be easier to remove.

Amateur Tattoos Are Easier to Remove

Typically, amateur or homemade tattoos can be removed in 3-7 sessions, while professional tattoos made with harder inks may require 8 to 20 treatments. While each client and each tattoo is unique, most professional tattoos will require 5 to 10 treatments to completely remove, while most amateur tattoos will require 1 to 3 treatments.

Tattoo removal procedures follow a bell curve – most patients will only need eight treatments, some will be completely removed in three or four, and others may need 10 or more treatments if there are any significant scars or layered tattoos.

Before starting any treatment, it is important to set clear expectations and inform the patient that multiple treatments are required to remove the tattoo. Laser tattoo removal requires healing between sessions, so appointments must be scheduled within a specific time period.

Several Sessions Are Required to Restore the Skin

On average, it takes 5 to 6 tattoo removal sessions to completely restore the appearance of the skin and remove all ink deposits from the subcutaneous layers. It can take over a year for your body to completely get rid of the ink, as your skin needs time to heal between treatments and your immune system to get rid of the ink.

Newer tattoos will have more of the original ink and require more treatments to remove. For people with dark skin, tattoo removal will take longer, as their skin will need more protection from laser radiation. Even the most colorful or large tattoos can be removed in just 6-12 sessions.