People get tattoos for a variety of reasons, such as sentiment or simply because they appreciate body art. However, not all tattoos are created equally and some people may want to remove unwanted tattoos if they outgrow with meaning or if the ink is damaged. At The Aesthetic Clinique in Santa Rosa Beach, FL, we understand that tattoo removal can be a hard choice to make and we are committed to providing compassionate care for your laser treatments to remove tattoos.
How Long Does It Take To Remove a Tattoo?
Much of the time, it can take several months or even up to a year to completely remove an unwanted tattoo. Several factors are used to calculate how long it will take to complete tattoo removal, such as the size and location of the tattoo, the pigments used, and even the age of the tattoo.
As a rule, most people will need about six to 12 laser treatments to remove a tattoo. These treatments are usually spaced about four to eight weeks apart depending on the location of the tattoo and the condition of the skin. Understanding the factors that will determine how long it will take to remove your tattoo will give you a better idea of how long it will take to achieve your clear skin goals. Some of the factors can include:
Tattoo Size
The size of the tattoo you intend to remove can be a big factor in determining how long it will take to complete your tattoo removal process. In general, smaller tattoos will require fewer treatments simply because they cover less skin and use less pigment, while larger tattoos will require as many as 10 to 12 treatment appointments to achieve clear skin.
Some people who have minimalist tattoos, which are tattoos that only use grayscale pigment and are usually smaller than the size of a silver dollar, may be able to remove tattoos in only four to six treatment sessions. If you have a larger tattoo, then you can expect to have a more prolonged treatment period.
Tattoo Location
The location of your tattoo can also play a significant role in dictating how long it will take to complete your treatment process. This is because the skin on different areas of your body has different densities and may hold on to pigment better, which can make removing tattoos more difficult.
Tattoos that are made on thin-skinned areas of the body will typically require fewer treatments because thin skin holds less pigment. Tattoos placed on areas of the body where the skin is thicker, on the other hand, will usually require additional treatments. For example, the skin on the inner arm is thin and will usually respond to four to six treatments, while the tattoos on the back and thigh may require up to 12 appointments to remove because the skin is thicker.
Tattoo Quality
The quality of your tattoo refers to the skill of the artist, particularly whether or not the artist was a professional tattooist or an amateur. Professional tattoos tend to be much harder to remove because the quality of the pigment and the type of equipment used to create the tattoo are designed to produce long-lasting results, so these tattoos are more reluctant to fade even with laser treatments.
Amateur tattoos, on the other hand, are sometimes easier to remove because the equipment used to create the tattoo cannot penetrate deeper layers of skin, meaning pigments sit closer to the skin surface and are more easily broken up by laser treatment. In many cases, removing an amateur tattoo can be done in half as many treatments as removing a professional tattoo.
Tattoo Color
You may not think about it, but the specific color of your tattoo can also influence how many treatments you will need to remove your body art. Some colors are easier to remove from the skin than others simply because these colors are more responsive to the wavelengths used in laser treatments. For example, colorful tattoos that use jewel tones are typically easier to remove because laser wavelengths can affect these pigments more easily.
Colorful tattoos that use brighter or lighter pigments such as pink, yellow, orange, and even white can be more difficult to remove because they are less responsive to laser treatments. For that reason, if you have a very colorful tattoo, you may need more treatments to remove the tattoo than if you have a grayscale tattoo. In general, because greyscale tattoos have a higher contrast for most skin tones, it will usually take fewer treatments for tattoo removal if your tattoo is primarily done in black ink.
Tattoo Age
The age of your tattoo is also an important factor to consider. Older tattoos may be easier to remove because they have been exposed to the sun for a longer period, because the skin on the body is thinner, and because the pigment may have naturally faded over the years. Even larger older tattoos can be easier to remove than newer tattoos that are smaller.
As for the removal of newer tattoos, the newness of the pigment used for the tattoo is more resistant to laser treatments, which means it will usually take more treatments to remove the tattoo. That said, if you want to remove a newer tattoo, you must be sure that your skin has completely healed before you can have laser treatments. For most people, this means that they will need to wait at least six months after their tattoo before tattoo removal treatments can begin.
How Does Tattoo Removal Work?
Removing a tattoo with a laser treatment well usually requires appointments that take about 60 minutes to complete. During this treatment, a laser system will be used on the desired treatment location to remove the unwanted tattoo. Laser treatments work by detecting pigment that is darker than the natural skin tone and then activating laser energy to break up the pigment in the skin and prompt the body to eliminate this pigment with natural processes.
Most people consider treatments to remove an unwanted tattoo to be as tolerable as getting the initial tattoo. Of course, your comfort is taken into account during your treatment so topical numbing creams or other comfort techniques may be used for your treatment sessions.
How Should You Prepare for Treatment?
Preparing for a laser treatment to remove an unwanted tattoo is similar to preparing for any other type of laser treatment. For the most part, you’ll want to focus on keeping your skin healthy to prepare for your appointment. This means that you should avoid any unprotected contact with sunlight so you can avoid skin irritation or sunburns. Please wear SPF outside on any desired treatment area for at least two weeks before your appointment.
You should also be mindful about the skincare products you’re using on your skin before your treatment since harsh exfoliants can irritate the skin and delay your treatment. As for your body hair, it’s best not to wax or tweeze the treatment area at least one to two weeks before your treatment to avoid potential skin irritation. However, you can shave at least 24 hours before your treatment with no risk of skin irritation.
What Should You Do After Your Treatment?
After your treatment, you’ll need to take good care of your skin so that your results can develop optimally. You should continue to avoid unprotected sun exposure for two to four weeks after your laser treatment so that you can minimize the risk of hyperpigmentation concerns. Wearing adequate SPF when you plan to be outside is the best method to protect your skin.
Immediately after your treatment, you will be able to return to most of your normal daily activities except for strenuous exercise or any activity that will involve hot water, steam, or intense sweating. You will not be able to use chemical exfoliants or certain lotions on the treatment area for at least 24 hours. You will want to keep your treatment area moist after your appointment, so using skin-friendly lotion such as CeraVe or even products like aloe vera is advisable.
Remove Your Unwanted Tattoo
Regardless of why you want to remove an unwanted tattoo, you should know that the tattoo removal process can take anywhere from six months to a year depending on several factors related to the tattoo. Factors that will determine how many treatments you need can include the size of the tattoo, the color, and even the age. Contact us at the Aesthetic Clinique in Santa Rosa Beach, FL to schedule your consultation appointment today.
