How Getting a Tattoo Works
To understand how tattoo removal works, you must also understand how getting a tattoo works. Once tattoo ink is logged into the middle layer of your skin, your body’s immune system sends white blood cells to the tattooed area to pull out as many ink particles as possible. Larger particles that the cells could not break down are left behind leaving the tattoo design. Over time, those cells break the larger particles down which causes natural fading.
How Laser Tattoo Removal Works
Tattoo removal works by breaking apart those larger ink particles layer by layer. Your body’s white blood cells can then carry away the smaller broken down particles quicker. With time and continued sessions, a tattoo can be completely removed.
Laser Tattoo Removal Timeline
A typical tattoo takes about 10 – 12 treatments, spaced 6 – 8 weeks apart, to remove.
Factors that Affect Tattoo Removal
Lifestyle
Living an unhealthy lifestyle, such as smoking or vaping, and allowing direct sun exposure to the treated area can reduce your body’s ability to remove the ink.
General Health
Chronic health conditions and being sick are your immune system’s priority to fix. This can reduce the speed at which the ink is removed from your skin.
Age
As you age, your metabolism and immune system slow down. Younger or more active immune systems will remove ink faster.
Tattoo Location
Tattoos in high blood flow areas can be removed faster than those located further from the circulatory system.
Ink color
The color of your ink and skin tone will play a factor in the removal outcome.
Skin Tone
Your skin tone can impact the laser removal outcome and may determine the laser settings your technician uses.
Tattoo Removal Aftercare
At Removery, we want to make sure that you get the best results from beginning to end. We're here to help you through the entire tattoo removal process and know what to expect after your tattoo removal sessions end.
Aftercare TipsAddressing Your Concerns About Pain
A dime-sized tattoo on the forearm may only take a few seconds of laser removal which would be relatively tolerable. A larger tattoo on the lower back may increase discomfort due to a longer duration of removal.
Beyond providing cold compressed air, there are other things we can do to help reduce discomfort for our clients. Below are steps we are actively taking to better your tattoo removal experience.
1. Managing Expectations
If you think something will hurt, you will likely increase the chance of experiencing discomfort. Most people find removal treatments to be comparable to getting a tattoo and are surprised by how quickly the treatment is completed. As always, we are here to help you through the process and you can ask for a break if you need them.
2. During the Treatment
Along with conscious customer care, we will provide a count down for the test spot so that you are fully prepared when the treatment begins.
Breathing exercises such as the 4-square rhythmic breathing can help reduce discomfort.
- Breath in slowly through your nose for a count of 4.
- Hold your breath for a count of 4.
- Breath out through your mouth for a count of 4.
- Hold your breath for a count of 4.
- Repeat.
A 2015 Randomized Controlled Trial has shown that engaging in active conversation while utilizing a squeeze ball has significantly reduced client discomfort and anxiety for patients undergoing surgery.
Treatment FAQs
Still have questions? Here are the most common questions we get regarding our tattoo removal treatments.
View all FAQs