Why lasers don’t remove tattoos 100%

The real answer to the question of why lasers don’t fully remove tattoos is that we simply don’t need to try to laser it 100% away. The less we can attack the skin with a laser, the better. Laser tattoo removal always has a risk of scarring or pigmentation changes, but if we can avoid that, we always will!

How a laser removes ink

Tattoo removal lasers break the ink in your tattoo down into tiny particles. This allows your body to remove and flush these particles. Over time and with repeated laser sessions, your tattoo will away”

Tattoo removal isn’t a short process, and if you want removal with no scars, blistering, or pigment loss then you have to have a bit of patience. You’re not going to hear a laser technician tell you “lasers don’t remove tattoos 100%”, ever. Why would we want to be negative to you about the process? My approach to this business is to educate as well as be honest. I do my best to educate my clients about the process as much as I can, simply because you should always know what you are getting into and exactly how it works.

Is there a faster way to get tattoo removal?

Yes – with a major catch. There are “faster” ways to make it happen out there, but I can tell you from my experience those only lead to scars. Now ask yourself this “do I want a scar of this tattoo left on my body when the process is finished?” 9 out of 10x the answer is no. So why rush things? This is definitely a time when taking the long road helps immensely.

Full tattoo removal typically takes 12/13 sessions and we strive at all times to make sure you only go home with red swollen skin that will heal up in 24/48 hours. The idea is to keep the laser breaking up the ink to the best of its ability without hurting your skin in the process. Throughout your laser process, you’ll see the tattoo breaking up slowly, typically you don’t see a huge difference right away, it’s around treatment 3 or 4 that you really start to see the results happening. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule but all of this information is simply the averages of what we see in the industry.

When will the tattoo be 100% gone?

Upon your last session, it is very common for you to be left with a light grey version of your tattoo, I like to call this a “shadow”. The remaining ink particles left over will eventually be eaten up by your body over the course of a year or so. Again patience is key. Below is a great example of what your body will do in 1 year’s time.

lasers don't remove tattoos — Original Tattoo

How the body is doing its job.

First, we have the original Tattoo, a Dark black outline with grey wash shading and a little red and yellow in the face. This type of tattoo is one you will generally deal with the line work the most, as the shading isn’t done very heavily and should give us great results quickly.

Next, we have the tattoo after 6 treatments and you can see a significant difference which is what we always strive for at the 1/2 point to full removal.

This client was going to do a coverup eventually so at this point we went as far as we needed to in order for them to be able to get a brand-new tattoo. The key to coverups is to get the old ink light enough that the tattooer won’t have to compromise the new design as well as having this tattoo show up underneath the new one after the new ink settled in their skin. You can learn more about the coverup process in my article here.

Now, this is my favorite part, this is that same tattoo 1 year later having never treated it beyond her initial 6 treatments. This shows you what the body is doing on its own and again how patience is key here.

Not only Is fading of the tattoo significantly better but their skin looks amazing as well. no scars, no loss of pigment, etc.

Since lasers don’t remove tattoos 100% we have to rely on the body and the body never really stops working until it simply has no ink left to take care of.

In Conclusion

Lasers don’t remove tattoos 100% but your body is also a factor in the removal process. The body is an amazing thing! It’s also great to know that there are options out there that leave us with beautiful skin and great results at the same time. I know searching for laser tattoo removal and looking at images on Google can be a super scary thing so I really hope this post will give people hope and more worthwhile information.

Thanks for reading.

Not loving your tattoo and thinking about whether you can take the pain of getting it removed? Lots of people wonder how much tattoo removal hurts

Why does tattoo removal hurt?

Think about if you’ve ever burnt yourself on a pan hot from the oven, or hot water. The same concept applies to laser tattoo removal- the heat and intensity of the laser is what enables it to break up the ink in your skin into tiny particles. These particles are then flushed out through your immune system. Session after session, more particles are blasted until you’re left with a beautiful blank canvas…or a lightened tattoo prime for a cover up with the artist of your choice.

What does tattoo removal feel like?

While getting a tattoo lasered off does come with some minor discomfort, most people say that it’s less than they expected. The pain that comes with laser tattoo removal is similar to the snap of a rubber band as the laser pulses against your skin to break up the ink. Some people liken it to scratching a bad sunburn, or the feeling of a drop of hot oil splashing your skin. Everyone has a different idea of what it feels like.

Does laser tattoo removal hurt more than getting a tattoo?

Since laser is the only way to fully remove a tattoo, the discomfort that comes along with it is well worth it. If you can take the pain of getting a tattoo, you definitely can tolerate getting it removed. Everyone has different feelings about their pain tolerance and how much they can handle.

Other methods of tattoo removal like creams, saline treatments or even dermabrasion aren’t effective in removing tattoos. While these may be relatively pain free options, they are not considered to be an actual way to remove a tattoo for good, and they can cause permanent damage to your skin.

does tattoo removal hurt? — Does tattoo removal hurt? It’s spicy- but you can handle it

How long does tattoo removal pain last?

You may experience discomfort for a few hours after your session, similar to the sensation of a sunburn. Since we use an awesome cooling system while we treat your skin with the laser, it helps a lot with any feelings of heat in the area not only during the procedure but after as well. Some of my clients like to go home and apply an ice pack to the area to cool it down…but most of my clients go on with their day as normal, forgetting about any discomfort shortly after. You may have mild swelling and discomfort the next day, which will fade quickly over the next few days to a week.

Tattoo removal pain factors

The best thing about the discomfort associated with tattoo removal is that it’s QUICK. Where you may be sitting for a tattoo for several hours, with laser tattoo removal, you’re done within a few minutes and sometimes as little as 30 seconds. This makes it much easier to handle compared to the process of getting a tattoo.

The size of your tattoo, the saturation of the ink, how thick the lines of the tattoo are and its placement have a lot to do with how painful the process will be for you. Your personal pain tolerance will also play a part. Many clients report that the process gets easier as it goes on, because they know what to expect and seeing results is motivational for them. Just like getting a tattoo, the process of laser tattoo removal is something of a rite of passage- and one many can easily take.

Easing the pain of tattoo removal

Make sure to show up to your appointment having eaten beforehand and being well hydrated. For larger pieces, I do offer a complimentary numbing cream formulated exclusively for my laser clients. This would be applied an hour before your appointment. Squeezing tennis balls or stress balls can be helpful to some of my clients as well. The use of a cooling device during the procedure helps keep the skin cool and you comfortable.

Is laser tattoo removal for me?

At the end of the day, if you’re motivated to remove a tattoo or lighten it for a cover up…you’ll be able to handle it. Curious how much tattoo removal costs or have questions? Hit me up on social or book a free no pressure consult here.

Cheers!
Jim

Tag: remove a tattoo

Lasers Don’t Remove Tattoos 100%, but the Human Body is an Incredible thing!