Removing Tattoos on Older Skin – Does Age Matter?

Tattoos are forever, at least they used to be. As we get older, the tattoos on our bodies may not look the same as they did in our twenties. Laser tattoo removal is available for anyone who does not feel their tattoos represent who they are anymore. Whether you’re eighteen or eighty-three, tattoo removal options are available for you.

You might be wondering, why would someone want tattoo removal in their old age? Well, perhaps they wanted to remove their tattoos at a younger age, but they didn’t know that laser removal was an option. Nowadays, laser tattoo removal is as common as being tattooed. In this guide, we’ll be breaking down what laser tattoo removal is, how it works on older skin and the factors that play into removing tattoos on older skin.

Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work on Older Skin?

Laser tattoo removal is a process, it takes time to see complete removal results on all skin types. In short, laser tattoo removal does work on older skin but it depends on the person. As we age, our skin becomes looser, less elastic, and thinner. It’s important to take care of your health to maintain your body’s aging skin integrity over time. The following section will help you determine if laser tattoo removal is the right choice for you.

The Laser Tattoo Removal Process

Laser tattoo removal works by breaking apart the ink particles into tiny fragments for your body’s white blood cells to carry away through the lymphatic system. Over time, with continued laser removal sessions, you’ll gradually see the layers fade away.

The process works the same for a younger body as it would in a mature one. The only potential difference in the process is how the skin reacts to laser removal. The following factors will help you determine how a tattoo can be removed from older skin.

Factors That Determine How Quickly A Tattoo Can Be Removed on Older Skin

Some of the most important factors that determine how quickly a tattoo can be removed from older skin is the ink density, skin integrity, placement, tattoo color, and ink components.

Ink density is a huge factor that determines how quickly the tattooed skin could be removed. Over time, your body naturally fades the ink particles with aging. However, some older tattoos could be densely packed in the skin which could result in additional removal sessions. Especially if the senior client has a weakened immune system.

Skin integrity is another factor that could affect tattoos on old skin. The elasticity of the skin could become fragile resulting in thin and stretched skin. The laser technician can stretch the skin flat for treatment, but it’s important to be mindful of aftercare protocols to maintain the skin’s integrity.

Placement, tattoo color, and ink components will also play a factor in the overall removal process. Tattoos that are further away from the heart will likely take longer than those that are close to the circulatory system. The tattoo color and ink components will also determine how quickly the tattoo can be removed. Often, older tattoos have heavy metals which are difficult to break down. It’s possible but may result in additional removal sessions.

When it comes to treating aged tattoos, it’s important to remember that your general health plays the largest factor in the removal outcome. If you as a person with mature skin have a weak immune system, diseases such as diabetes, or have to take certain medications, it will likely take more time to see complete removal results or you may not be an ideal tattoo removal candidate.
Tattoo Removal On Older

Are Older Tattoos Harder to Remove?

It’s important to note the difference between removing an older tattoo and tattoos on older skin types. You don’t necessarily have to be a senior to have an older tattoo. Some people start getting tattooed as young as fifteen (not recommended) and by the time they are thirty-five, that tattoo aging is twenty years old. Then there are some seniors who get new tattoos in their elderly age.

Are old tattoos easier to remove? It depends! Again, factors such as the density of the ink, skin integrity, your general health, placement, tattoo color, and the ink components will affect the overall removal outcome. Typically, older tattoos naturally fade over time with your body breaking them down which can be “easier” to remove because your body has already been doing the work. Now, tattoo removal on older skin is relatively just like removing a tattoo from a younger client, only there is more emphasis on aftercare to maintain the integrity of their skin.

Tattoo Removal On Older Skin Before And Afters

Here are some tattoos after being removed on older skin types.

Tattoo removal on 73-year-olds skin

Tattoo removal on a 53-year-olds skin

Tattoo removal on a 60-year-olds skin

Tattoo removal on a 58-year-olds skin

Tattoo removal on a 56-year-olds skin

Tattoo removal on a 50-year-olds skin

Tattoo removal on a 66-year-olds skin

Choosing the Best Laser Tattoo Removal Provider

As demonstrated, you can remove tattoos from older skin types. Want to learn more about how tattoo removal works? We break down the process from beginning to end. Want to know how much tattoo removal costs? Read this article to get an idea of how much your tattoo removal might cost you. Have a large tattoo to remove? Check out our article on large tattoo removal here!

At Removery, we have over 400,000 successful removals from all skin types and ages. If you are in need of removal, get a free estimate today with a removal technician near you.