Does Tattoo Removal Hurt?

How Painful Is Tattoo Removal?

Tattoo removal does hurt a bit, but Removery’s clients often say it feels no more painful than getting slapped by a rubber band. The pain experienced during laser tattoo removal is very minor.  Laser tattoo removal is the most effective process available. Any method that claims to be pain-free is not actually doing much to remove the ink from the skin, whereas more painful tattoo removal methods are likely to cause long-term damage and permanent scarring.  Our Picoway tattoo removal method causes less pain than most other tattoo removal techniques. It’s also faster, meaning less time spent undergoing the minor pain of tattoo removal. “The procedure does come with some degree of pain; the stinging sensation of which could be compared to the flicking of an elastic band against the skin,” says Dr. Rekha Tailor, medical director of Health & Aesthetics.  Normally, pain goes away within a few hours of your tattoo removal session. This discomfort is similar to sunburn. If the sensation continues for several days after tattoo removal treatment, contact the Removery clinical team to make sure you’re not experiencing an infection or allergic reaction (both of which are extremely rare). Image source

Does Tattoo Removal Hurt More Than Getting Tattooed?

  People have different levels of pain tolerance, and anxiety about pain—but laser tattoo removal feels less painful than getting tattooed. Many people compare the pain of tattoo removal to the discomfort of sunburn.   

Does tattoo removal hurt more on some parts of the body than others?

  Absolutely. The parts of the body where the skin is closer to the bone are more sensitive to a tattoo needle, meaning they’re also more sensitive to a laser.  

What Does Laser Tattoo Removal Feel Like?

  One of Removery’s laser specialists notes that getting a tattoo can feel like being licked by a cat’s rough tongue or being scratched with hot claws, depending on the tattoo’s location.  

How much does a tattoo hurt, compared to laser tattoo removal?

  Similar to tattoos, certain spots on the body will feel more sensitive than others when getting laser removal. Many people say it feels unpleasant—but definitely manageable with how quick a session usually is.  

Tattoo Removal Pain Factors

  Laser tattoo removal sessions are significantly shorter than most tattoo application sessions. They usually take three to five minutes, whereas tattooing sessions can last for hours. That means less time spent in discomfort than getting tattooed.  

How painful is laser tattoo removal?

  That depends on several factors, such as:

• Size of the tattoo
• The thickness and darkness of the linework
• The colors of the ink
• Age of the tattoo
• The number of sessions you’ve had
• Where the tattoo is located
• Your level of pain tolerance

Some of these factors, like the size, style of linework, and colors, affect the length of sessions. For a very small tattoo, a laser tattoo removal session may only take a minute or two. For larger ones, you may be sitting there for up to twenty minutes. Image source  

How many sessions to remove a tattoo?

  The total number of sessions depends on several factors, such as the color of the ink used. For example, black is much easier to remove than light blue or yellow. People often say the process gets easier after each laser tattoo removal session. Not only is there less ink to remove each time, but they know what to expect from the process.  

How Tattoo Age Affects Laser Tattoo Removal Pain

  A tattoo’s age does play a role in how much pain you experience during laser removal. Removing an older tattoo takes less time than a newer tattoo due to the ink particles already breaking down naturally for a substantial amount of time.  

Parts of the Body Where Removal Hurts the Least

  In “meatier” places like the thighs, calves, and biceps, laser removal usually causes less pain. These spots have more muscle mass and fat, which creates a buffer to keep pain at bay. Meanwhile, bonier areas with a lot of nerve endings are more sensitive. For instance, laser tattoo removal will hurt more on the shins than on the calves.  Here are a few other areas that tend to experience less pain:

• The shoulders
• The upper arms
• The front of the thighs

Most of the back tends to be less painful for women during tattoo removal, except for the area around the spine. Areas with taut skin, like the top of the thigh, also tend to be less sensitive than areas with looser skin.  

Parts of the Body Where Removal Hurts the Most

  Certain places have more sensitivity during tattoo removal treatments because the skin is closer to the bone. For instance, laser tattoo removal on the ankle or fingers could hurt more for that reason. Additionally, while you can easily let some parts of the body rest after laser removal, it’s hard or impossible not to move other parts (like your ankle).    The following are some of the more painful areas for laser tattoo removal:  

• The joints. At the knees, elbows, and ankles, the skin is close to the bone, making them more sensitive to laser tattoo removal. You’ll also be moving them frequently after your session, which can increase the pain experienced after your sessions. 
• The ribs and sternum. The rib cage is one of the trickiest places for tattoo removal (and tattooing). Not only is the skin close to the bone, but the act of breathing may also prolong the discomfort caused by removal. 
• The fingers and feet. These extremities have a lot of nerve endings, making both tattooing and tattoo removal more uncomfortable. 
• The area around the armpit. Because this spot has very thin skin, it tends to be one of the most sensitive places to undergo laser removal treatment.
• The head. Anywhere on the head tends to experience a high level of sensitivity during tattoo removal. 

Again, the areas where tattoos hurt most are the same places where laser removal causes more discomfort. This tattoo pain level chart shows the differences in pain levels experienced on certain parts of the body when getting a tattoo. These differences also apply to laser tattoo removal, though the pain should be lower than what you felt when getting the tattoo.  

Different areas, different sensations

  The tattoo’s location can also affect how uncomfortable the removal process can be too. Read on for more detail below.

Skin sensitivity

  Different areas of your body have varying levels of sensitivity. Body parts with thinner skin and more nerve endings, such as the face, neck, and hands, tend to be more sensitive. That’s why tattoo removal in these areas can be a little more uncomfortable than usual.  

Bone proximity

  Tattoos near bones or areas with less fatty tissue can be more painful to remove. Bones conduct heat and sensation more readily, making the treatment sensation more intense.  

Nerve density

  Areas with a higher concentration of nerve endings, such as the fingers, toes, and genitals, are generally more sensitive. Laser energy targeting the tattoo pigments can stimulate these nerve endings, leading to increased discomfort.  

Blood flow

  Areas with greater blood circulation, like the face or extremities, may experience more pain due to the increased sensitivity of the blood vessels.  

Tattoo characteristics

  The characteristics of the tattoo itself can affect the way it feels during removal. Professional tattoos with deep ink penetration and multiple layers may require more laser energy, leading to increased discomfort. As always, we are here to help you through the process and you can ask for regular breaks if you need them.

Tattoo Removal Pain Management

  Still concerned about the pain from tattoo removal? Here are some tips for managing it as well as possible, both during and after the removal process.

• Take Tylenol before your session, and then again as needed later on. (Do not take ibuprofen, which can thin the blood, causing excessive bleeding during laser removal.)
• Care for your body well, getting enough rest, eating balanced meals. Avoid alcohol and smoking.
• Practice a relaxation technique like deep breathing to minimize anxiety.
• Use an antibacterial ointment to speed healing after laser tattoo removal.
• Use a numbing creams that is used before laser removal.

Follow these tattoo removal aftercare tips, and you’re very unlikely to have any issues with pain management during or after tattoo removal!  

How Can I Make Laser Tattoo Removal Less Painful?

  Tattoo removal does hurt a little, this minor pain is very manageable. Please give us a call at 1-866-465-0090 to talk one-on-one with an experienced specialist about what to expect at your appointment. We’re more than happy to talk through any lingering fears, so you can start your tattoo removal journey with confidence.

Book a Tattoo Removal Consultation