Because a variety of tattoo removal methods exist, the effectiveness of removal and result timelines can vary. The most common method of tattoo removal is laser removal, due to its practicality compared to chemical and surgical removal options. Removery is the leading expert in laser tattoo removal, utilizing the most advanced laser technology to target ink particles directly – without harming surrounding skin tissue.
Absolutely—if you choose the right technique. Laser removal is a highly effective and safe way to remove a tattoo. For most people, it can completely eliminate an old tattoo, although in some cases, the client and specialist may determine that substantial fading will meet the client’s goals best.
A tattoo can often be entirely removed through laser removal. No other technique has been proven as effective for tattoo removal. We see clients every day who are completing their tattoo removal journey with no remaining ink. Needless to say, they are ecstatic!
How effective is tattoo removal on darker skin? A skilled laser specialist will often fade the ink to the point where it becomes unnoticeable. Many colors will become invisible once faded to a certain extent, depending on the client’s exact skin tone. A skilled specialist will evaluate the best course of action for a particular client, determining whether full removal or fading will meet the client’s goals best.
Once you get tattooed, your body is constantly trying to remove the ink particles from your system – like how your body fights diseases. To ensure tattoos have longevity, ink pigments are purposely composed of larger particles that are 100-200 nanometers in size. This prevents your immune system from successfully breaking these particles down and flushing them from your body; thus, making tattoos “permanent.”
Laser tattoo removal does what your body is unable to do naturally: break down those larger particles of ink into smaller pieces. Removal lasers produce a high-intensity light that targets ink particles directly, ignoring the surrounding skin tissue. Tattoo ink absorbs this laser’s energy, shattering its particles into those desired smaller pieces. After each session, your immune system removes the smaller particles from your body gradually – typically through the digestive system. Your tattoo will start to lighten and disappear until it’s fully gone.
There are countless misconceptions surrounding tattoo removal, often discouraging people from starting their journey. Here are some of the most common myths about tattoo removal and why they’re wrong:
There are many tattoo removal methods out there, but not all are created equal in regard to safety and efficiency. Treatments, such as chemical peels, utilize chemical solutions to exfoliate and remove the first layers of skin, stimulating new skin growth underneath the treated area. Chemical peels can be great for one’s luxury skincare routine, but most solutions are not strong enough to penetrate the dermis where tattoo ink is held. Another exfoliation method is dermabrasion, a controlled abrasion technique that exfoliates the first layers of skin to remove tattoo ink and promote cell regeneration. This procedure is considered to be highly effective for most but can impose some serious skin risks: hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and scarring. Though it’s extreme, some may even choose to have tattoos removed via surgical excision, a procedure that involves removing tattooed skin from the body with a scalpel. Excisions are the fastest way to remove a tattoo, but the procedure can cause permanent scarring in the treated area.
Out of all removal methods, laser tattoo removal is the safest and most effective way to remove an unwanted tattoo. Advanced laser technology allows the tattoo ink particles to be targeted directly, a process known as selective photothermolysis, to prevent the surrounding skin tissue from being damaged. Compared to other removal methods, laser removal is far less invasive and actually breaks down ink particles effectively. The overall process might be lengthier, but the preservation of skin health makes it worth the effort.
Today’s top-of-the-line lasers—namely, PicoWay—have the ability to use every wavelength necessary to target every color of ink. While some lasers used widely in the past, like PicoSure, can only break down certain colors of ink, today’s more advanced lasers can handle breaking down a much broader spectrum of colors. That’s why laser removal with PicoWay is far more effective than other tattoo removal methods.
How effective is tattoo removal with other methods? You may have heard about tattoo removal creams or other home remedies like lemon juice. Although these techniques may sound harmless at first glance, they can actually expose your skin to significant damage. Exposing your skin to sunlight after doing a lemon juice treatment can even cause burns! And tattoo removal creams actually peel away the skin using a powerful acid, which can cause lasting scarring. Furthermore, these treatments don’t actually eliminate the ink from the dermis, the deeper layer of skin where it is located. It’s not just a matter of wasting time and money on such methods—it’s a matter of causing permanent damage.
You may be wondering if laser removal is for you, particularly if you have a darker skin tone. Outdated equipment (which certain facilities still use today) cannot safely remove ink from all skin tones. Fortunately, today’s high-end lasers can remove ink from any skin tone when operated by a highly trained specialist.
Make sure you trust the person who will be handling your laser removal and ensure that they will be using the best available equipment: the PicoWay laser. People with darker skin tones have a higher risk of experiencing issues like hypopigmentation if they go to the wrong facility. This involves lightening of the skin in the area where the tattoo was removed, which is often permanent. Hypopigmentation is usually completely preventable, however.
When the right laser is in the hands of the right specialist, laser removal will be extremely unlikely to cause this issue. Likewise, hyperpigmentation from tattoo removal(when the skin in the tattooed area becomes darker than the surrounding skin) is unlikely to happen as well.
Laser tattoo removal is safe for most people undergoing the process; however, there are some instances where this removal method might not be the best option. Because laser tattoo removal relies heavily on your immune system to work, people with autoimmune disorders or other immune system issues could experience complications throughout their removal journey. Those that are pregnant, or actively breastfeeding should also avoid treatments for this reason. To ensure laser tattoo removal is a safe option for you, consult a medical professional before proceeding.
Tattoo removal can take a year to two years, depending on factors like the size of the tattoo as well as the age and colors of the ink. A black and gray tattoo that has already faded may take less time than a tattoo with colors like turquoise and lime green.
In regard to the number of sessions needed, most people achieve their goals in 6 to 12 treatments. Sessions must be spaced at least six weeks apart, allowing time for the skin to heal completely between sessions. This also gives the body plenty of time to expel the ink between sessions, so you won’t be overtaxing it.
After each treatment, the immune system begins flushing out the affected ink (the ink that the laser has broken down in that session). You may not see the results immediately due to redness and scabbing, which are a completely normal part of the process. As your skin heals over the next couple of weeks, you will probably notice that the ink has faded. Further fading may occur in the remainder of the time before your next session since the body is still actively working to remove the ink particles that have been targeted by the laser.
When it comes to laser tattoo removal, it takes time to happen – no matter the size, color, age, or placement of your ink. Every treatment’s success relies on great technology, and a healthy immune system to efficiently get rid of ink particles. Removery leaves 6-8 weeks between removal treatments for clients, so their bodies have maximum time to fulfill this natural process. In most cases, clients will see fading within 3-5 removal sessions – and can achieve a full removal with 8-12 treatments. Because it can take more than one session to remove a tattoo, most clients will have a removal journey that lasts 1-2 years total.
The results of tattoo removal depend on the client’s goals. Many clients seek to fade for a coverup, meaning the old tattoo must be lightened substantially. It will look like a greatly faded version of the unwanted tattoo. The degree of fading depends on the design of the client’s new tattoo. Those who want a tattoo with more negative (blank) space within it will need more substantial fading than those who want a darker, traditional-style design.
Others want the tattoo to disappear completely, and they don’t want anything in its place. For these clients, a complete removal is typically possible. This erases all visible traces of the tattoo. You wouldn’t even know it had ever been there!
Tattoo removal aftercare will help you achieve the best possible results (and avoid any complications like hyperpigmentation). Proper aftercare plays a major role in ensuring the effectiveness of tattoo removal. After each tattoo removal session, follow the aftercare guidelines given to you by your specialist, such as the following:
Check in with your specialist about any questions that arise. In most cases, they will simply provide peace of mind that any symptoms you notice, like redness, are a completely normal part of the process.
How effective is tattoo removal and what does a removed tattoo look like? We are thrilled to have helped innumerable clients remove tattoos they no longer want. Here are several before and after photos that show how effective tattoo removal is.
Before & After Gallery
We’re on a mission to give you the most straightforward, easy and efficient laser tattoo removal experience. Your estimate will be entirely bespoke to your tattoo; the size, the colors, the ink. It won’t take long and afterwards you’ll have a plan to finally get rid of your unwanted tattoo and get back to being you.
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