A trip to the beach on a balmy evening is the best possible demonstration of how popular tattoos are these days. But unlike that pink hair dye, you can’t choose a tattoo that fades away after 8 washes. With advances in technology however it is possible to fade or remove a tattoo with a series of laser tattoo removal sessions. This leads to the question “How many sessions does it take to remove a tattoo?”, one of the most common questions asked during our free tattoo removal consultations.
The booming market for laser tattoo removal means the effectiveness and safety of tattoo removal technology has also gone through significant change. Although, just as tattoo’s are unique, different tattoos will still need a different number of sessions. There are a number of factors that make one tattoo fade faster in response to laser tattoo removal than others. So let’s explore why!
How many sessions it will take to remove your tattoo? Read on!
1. Tattoo Colour
‘How many sessions to remove a black tattoo?’ is a common question – but the answer might surprise you. If your tattoo is predominantly black, red, blue or green, your laser removal specialist will actually have an easier time getting rid of it for you. The more challenging and time-consuming ink colours to remove are orange, white and yellow, although it must be said that the latest technological steps have made big progress with these hues, even if they are thickly layered. So when it comes to laser tattoo removal, ‘How many sessions for black ink’ is really not as scary as you may think.
2. Tattoo Age
If you have a few tattoos you’re thinking about rendering to the annals of your history, it might be a good idea to prioritise them in order of age. That’s because while tattoos are forever, the pigment does in fact fade a little over time – and faded tattoos are easier to remove. So when you’re thinking about how many laser sessions to remove a tattoo, it’s worth knowing that time will actually naturally fade a tattoo before you get anywhere near that laser tattoo removal sessions.
3. Tattoo Size
It seems obvious to say that a smaller tattoo will require less last removal treatments than a whopper. Large tattoos can need even more sessions as the tattoo is removed in sections, rather than targeting the whole tattoo every session.
4. Your habits
A direct link has been made between smoking and the success of tattoo removal. Basically, it’s because all sorts of wounds simply take longer to heal on the body of a smoker – so do your body and your tattoo a big favour and quit!
5. Skin colour
Of course, this is something you can’t control, but while lighter skin complexion may not be a benefit in the harsh Australian sun, it is helpful when it comes to laser tattoo removal. That’s because darker skin tones absorb more of the laser light, and the tattoo removal specialist needs to turn down the power.
6. Tattoo location
The location of your tattoo can affect how much tattoo removal hurts, as well as how many sessions it takes to remove. Works of art on your extremities, like your lower legs and wrists, will require more trips to the laser tattoo removal specialist than those on your back or chest – it’s all about the work required by your circulatory system.
8. Tattoo Layering
Layered tattoos, such as cover-ups, often require more removal sessions due to the increased ink density. In cover-up tattoos, additional layers of ink are applied over the original design, making the removal process more complex. The laser needs to break down multiple layers of pigment, which can take longer and may require stronger laser settings. This means that individuals with layered tattoos typically need extra sessions compared to a single-layer tattoo to achieve full removal.
9. Technology Advancements
Newer laser technologies, like PicoSure and Q-Switched lasers, have revolutionized tattoo removal by reducing the number of sessions needed for effective results. These advanced lasers work by delivering short, high-energy pulses that break down ink particles more efficiently, especially for difficult colours like green and blue. Additionally, they are designed to be gentler on the skin, making the process faster and safer for various skin types. This means fewer sessions are required compared to traditional laser methods, helping patients achieve their desired outcome more quickly.
For most people it takes 3-10 laser tattoo removal sessions to remove a tattoo. Your skin needs some time to heal and flush broken ink particles, so laser removal treatments are typically spread 4-6 weeks apart. Our gallery has some great photos before and after tattoo removal sessions as examples of results. A professional consultation to set realistic expectations is recommened, as individual factors heavily influence the number of sessions.
Give yourself the best possible chance of effectively hitting reverse on that decision by choosing Renude Laser Clinic, Sydney’s most advanced tattoo removal specialist who only use the most advanced lasers for effective tattoo removal in fewer sessions.
