Black and Grey tattoo removal, fast results and great for coverups

brian henry black and grey marilyn monroe portrait tattoo

Every time I talk tattoo removal with clients there is always one major question I get asked, “How many treatments do you think I’ll need”. While normal full tattoo removal averages 12-13 sessions, Black and grey tattoos offer us a much better result in a much faster time frame.

What is a black and grey tattoo?

Black and grey tattoos are a specific style of tattooing that involves only using black and white inks and relying on the skin to create depth and shading. Its very popular in the portrait and realism styles of tattooing. Black and gray tattoos’ have a look that could be compared to a rendering done with graphite. It is particularly suitable for large, elaborate tattoos that contain a lot of details, but it’s not limited to that. Black and grey styles are also very popular with with sacred geometry, small designs and lettering. In this Marilyn Monroe Portrait you can see how the skin plays a major part in creating the depth and shading of the face, which is a great example of a black and grey tattoo style.

Why is removing black and grey tattoos the best?

Tattooers don’t typically use heavy amounts of solid black ink over huge areas and pack the ink it over and over like they would in say a “Tribal” style tattoo. This is why removal of them is typically very easy. On average I see a 50% or more difference in the first 1 or 2 treatments, It’s quite remarkable. Here is a good example of only one treatment to a black and grey tattoo. This is a very basic black and grey tattoo but the results are pretty consistent when removing this style. What you can notice here is all of the grey that was used to fill in the design is mostly gone while the line work remains a little. This is a great example of how heavier, darker inks need more treatment that lighter Softer ones do.

Does age still play a part in faster removal of black and grey tattoos?

The simple answer to this is Yes. Age is 100% always a factor in tattoo removal and as discussed in our post Tattoo Removal Factors You Should Know even in the black and grey world if the tattoo is brand new or let’s say under 2 years old it will be slower process. Now that’s not to say the grey wash wouldn’t come out quickly but the few places in the tattoo that have been heavily filled in to create the depth in the overall look of the design will take more treatments than say something over 10 years old.

What about covering up a black and grey tattoo?

When we discuss coverups we have quite a few factors to go over. The biggest being “what style are you going to cover this tattoo with”. Black and grey tattoos covered with a full color tattoo is a lot easier than trying to go black and grey over black and grey. Now thats not to say it can’t work. The black and grey style uses so much skin tone to create depth and shading, you’ll need to think about your coverup design throughly and work with your artist on how they can cover the tattoo up successfully. Over the years I’ve done quite a few lightenings of Black and grey tattoos for coverups and we’ve been able to make it work quite well. The key was always working with the tattoo artists closely and allowing them to make the decision on how many treatments are needed in the end.

Remember, whether you’re doing a cover up or a full removal, black and grey tattoos are in your favor so rejoice in that! Knowing that your path will typically be faster than the average tattoo removal is alway something we love to hear!
Cheers and thanks for reading.

November 7, 2022February 7, 2023

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

Tattoo removal services, full tattoo removal, tatoo removal for coverup, fading a tattoo for coverup

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.

October 31, 2022October 31, 2022

How long laser tattoo removal takes

Learn more about the process and figure out how long laser tattoo removal takes

Tattoos are permanent artwork in our skin…or that’s what we’ve been told. With new technology, it’s now possible to remove a tattoo. To many, this is great news. If you’re doing research and wondering how long laser tattoo removal takes you’re in the right place.

Tattoo removal typically takes longer than the original process of getting the tattoo. Removing the layers of ink from your skin is a process that’s well worth it. There are 2 main factors when we talk about how long it takes to remove a tattoo: how many sessions, and the length of those sessions.

How long does a tattoo removal session last?

The answer is: it depends. Obviously, larger pieces will take longer to treat, and smaller ones, less time. Some of my clients’ treatments take 30 seconds, and some can take 30 minutes or more depending on the area to be treated. The best part about laser tattoo removal is that it is a pretty quick for each session. Since we’re centrally located in Evergreen, Colorado many of my clients come from all over the state for their treatments. There are hotels, restaurants, shopping and outdoor activities all within just a few miles of the shop, so many of my clients find something fun to do before or after their treatments around town.

How many sessions does it take to remove a tattoo?

Several factors play into how long laser tattoo removal takes as far as sessions go, including: size, color, age of the tattoo, and it’s saturation. Saturation simply means how dark the tattoo is from when it was originally done, and how much ink was packed into the skin.

Other factors that influence how many sessions it takes to remove a tattoo include your overall health, the actual laser used, and the qualifications of the laser tattoo removal specialist that will be performing the procedure for you. There are big differences in the types of lasers available to us today for laser tattoo removal. It’s important to do your research on what kind of laser the clinic you’re considering uses as your skin’s health (and your wallet’s health) depend on it.

The laser used can affect your skin by giving you blisters or burns (which can be permanent). A less effective laser could also cost you more money and time, ending up in more sessions and a longer wait time to get rid of the tattoo you’re not fond of.

When you speak directly with your laser tattoo removal specialist, ask for an estimate from them on how many sessions they believe it will take to remove your tattoo or lighten it for cover up. A qualified professional will have a pretty good idea of the timeline, although different inks and pigments remove differently from the skin. To learn more about the factors that influence the timeline of your tattoo removal, check out this blog.

How long between tattoo removal sessions?

Usually we leave 6-8 weeks between removal sessions, which enables your body to flush out the ink particles and for your skin to recover from the process. Even though your skin’s surface may look and feel fine on the outside, the inner layers of your skin being treated by the laser need time to fully heal in between sessions.

Why does the type of laser matter?

Think about what the laser does to remove the tattoo ink from your skin. A laser blasts the ink into tiny particles using high heat from the laser- so it’s easy to understand how this could go from fine to NOT fine for your skin pretty quickly if the best laser is not used. We utilize the only true 3 wavelength q switched laser in the world…which means it has the ability to most effectively target inks and preserve the integrity of your skin. Our laser is the most effective and skin safe system available.

Removing a tattoo is your choice

I love helping my clients with laser tattoo removal because let’s face it…lots of us have tattoos we would rather forget about. I’ve yet to meet anyone that regretted starting the removal process (if done correctly). It gives you the freedom to make a choice on what used to be considered a permanent decision. Who doesn’t love a do over?!

Cheers,

Jim

October 15, 2022November 15, 2022

How laser tattoo removal works

Laser tattoo removal works in mysterious ways- learn more so you can get the best results from your treatments

By now you’ve learned that the only legitimate way to remove a tattoo is through laser tattoo removal. When I say legitimate, I mean the only way to completely remove a tattoo that doesn’t permanently damage your skin. Just like any other cosmetic procedure, it’s smart to learn a little about the process before you start undergoing treatments so you know how to get the best results and what to expect.

Why tattoos are “permanent”

When you get a tattoo, the ink is deposited into the dermis, which is a layer just under the outermost layer of your skin. After getting tattooed, your immune system kicks in to heal the layer of skin that has had ink added to it. Some of the ink is moved through your system and away from the area…but most stays behind. This is why tattoos are considered to be “permanent” even though they typically fade over time and now can be removed by lasers.

How lasers can remove tattoos

Laser tattoo removal works by blasting the ink in your skin into tiny particles which are later flushed out through your body’s lymphatic system. This is why it’s key to be in good health and to not smoke when you’re removing a tattoo. Your immune system kicks into overdrive to remove the ink particles.

Your health plays a role

One of the most interesting aspects of how laser tattoo removal works is the role your body plays in the process. Since getting the laser treatment is what we focus on, we often don’t consider how the ink is ultimately removed from your body. Your body takes the microscopic particles of laser treated ink and flushes them out using white blood cells.

This process of cleansing and flushing actually never stops, and your body will continue to process out the ink particles for months and years after getting laser tattoo removal treatments. Check out the image below- there’s a year and a half in between these pictures with no laser removal treatments. It’s a testament to the amazing regeneration our bodies can undergo over time. And it’s another reminder of why your health is a key factor in how successful and timely your tattoo removal journey is!

Here’s another example of the body’s ability to continue flushing ink particles over time. The middle image was after this client’s last treatment. The last image shows the end result after the immune system has done it’s job…awesome!

how tattoo removal works — The middle image was right after this client’s last session. It faded completely afterwards!

The type of laser used matters

Speed and heat are key to how laser tattoo removal works. Different wavelengths on the laser can address different colors in your tattoo. At Black Sage we use the Quanta Q-Plus C laser, the only true three wavelength Q-switched system available in the world. This means we can specifically target each color in your tattoo removal process so you get the best results in the most efficient period of time. We also utilize a cooling system during laser treatments which increase your comfort and reduces the risk of burns or blistering.

Our cutting edge laser technology allows us to remove most any tattoos, while keeping in mind that there are a lot of factors other than your health that influence your results. These include the saturation of ink, color, age of the tattoo, and placement. Older tattoos made up of mostly black ink are typically the easiest to remove.

Choosing a tattoo removal clinic

Make sure you’re able to speak to the laser tech that will be removing your tattoo to ask questions beforehand. Find someone with experience, who doesn’t push you to purchase a package up front. Ask about the laser, their opinions on skin integrity (blistering), and anything else you’re curious about. Ultimately, for a highly personal decision it’s important you feel completely comfortable and trust in the technology and person who will be performing the laser tattoo removal process for you.

Lots of medi spas are popping up that offer laser tattoo removal, other skin treatments, microblading and more. This may seem convenient, but unfortunately, laser tattoo removal is not their specialty and your results can reflect that.

We consider all factors when consulting with you so that we can give you a fair and reasonable estimate of time to remove a tattoo and tailor your overall treatment plan to your situation. We have great success removing tattoos of all ages, colors and placements and we work closely with tattoo shops in Colorado for cover ups. Check out some images on our Insta to see for yourself, and shoot us a DM if you have questions or want to book a free, no pressure consultation.

Cheers,

Jim

September 29, 2022November 15, 2022

How to remove a tattoo completely

Thankfully, tattoos are no longer permanent. Learn how you can utilize laser to remove a tattoo completely (yes, you read that right!)

If you live in Colorado and you’re looking to remove a tattoo completely you’ve come to the right place to find out more about the process. Gone are the days where tattoos are permanent…and for all of us with tattoos we are no longer fond of this is great news.

Most everyone I know these days has at least one tattoo they’d rather get rid of and there’s nothing wrong with this at all. There used to be some stigma surrounding laser tattoo removal, but I love to view it simply as a personal choice. Just like getting a tattoo, removing it is also an option. If you’re wondering how how to remove a permanent tattoo, read on.

First of all, scrap the tattoo removal creams and fake laser pens. Not only is this stuff not effective, but it could permanently damage your skin. Laser tattoo removal is the gold standard these days to remove tattoos.

Tattoos that are good for removing

As you may have read in some of my other blogs, the age and saturation of your tattoo are key in how long the laser tattoo removal process will take. What does this mean for your tattoo? For example, a 10-20 year old tattoo will likely respond very well to laser treatments and lighten up quickly. A 2-5 year old fresh tattoo can absolutely still be treated, taking more sessions to break down the ink in your skin.

The saturation of your tattoo is a factor when undergoing the laser removal process as well. Saturation is basically how much ink is packed into the tattoo. Was the original tattoo pretty light to begin with, or did the artist really pack in a lot of deep, dark inks? These factors play into how many sessions you’ll be looking at to remove your tattoo.

How long does it take to remove a tattoo?

Lots of people ask how long it takes to remove a tattoo completely. Since this depends on several factors, I do my best as a Certified Laser Tattoo Removal Specialist to give you my thoughts and estimations based on my extensive experience removing tattoos of all types. It’s important for you to be able to speak with whoever is actually performing the laser tattoo removal service for you- so you are on the same page for expectations.

Don’t get caught up in a sales pitch where they pressure you into purchasing a expensive package for full tattoo removal without ever speaking to the actual person who will be performing the laser procedure. You deserve to consult directly with your laser tech.

What the tattoo removal process is like

When you show up for your first treatment, you’ll fill out some quick intake information and I will review it during your consultation. This is to ensure your results are the best possible, that we preserve your health and the quality of your skin. We’ll talk about the tattoo you’re looking to remove and I will give you an estimate on how many sessions I think will take to remove it as well as answer any other questions you have about the process.

After we chat, I will get the laser running and ready to go and ensure you’re comfortable. The best part about this process is that it’s QUICK. I will do a spot test with the laser to ensure there are no reactions. After we’re clear to proceed, I will treat your tattoo. Obviously the time you’ll be in the chair depends on the size of your tattoo, but for a tattoo only a couple inches in diameter, you could sit for around 30 seconds and be done! Bigger tattoos take longer, and I do offer a complimentary numbing cream for you if you need it. This is applied an hour before the appointment and definitely takes the edge off.

Is tattoo removal painful?

Lots of my new clients ask what the process will actually feel like…does it hurt? I like to say it’s spicy! Again, the best part is that it is a very fast process. After we finish up, we’ll book your next session. When you get home, it helps to take some of the heat out of your skin with an ice pack or aloe if you desire.

Completely removing a tattoo IS possible

Many people want to completely remove a tattoo completely instead of lightening it for a cover up. This is a personal choice that I respect, and it is possible to totally get rid of a tattoo that you no longer like. It’s just a matter of time and patience. Completely removing a tattoo is a journey that we can partner together on. If you want to find out what kind of timeline you’re looking at to erase an old tattoo, contact me and we’ll go from there.

Cheers!

Jim

September 7, 2022November 15, 2022

Smoking and removing a tattoo: Facts that could concern you

Smoker? Removing a tattoo may be more challenging

Removing a tattoo can be difficult enough, but smoking can have an impact on your success

If you’re thinking about getting a tattoo removed, there are a lot of factors that you should know about before getting started so that you can get the best result from the process. I usually see clients for 10-12 sessions to lighten for a cover up or completely remove a tattoo. Since there are 4-5 weeks between each removal session, it takes a time commitment. Besides time, there are other factors that come into play.

The age of the tattoo, the saturation of the ink, and the colors used all can ultimately influence the end result and how easy it is for you to lighten or completely remove your tattoo. Typically these are the factors that are most talked about when someone is considering laser tattoo removal to get a tattoo cover up, or to totally remove a tattoo.

Smoking and how it affects tattoo removal

However, another factor that is less talked about is whether or not you are a smoker. To get into why this matters, it’s best to talk about how the tattoo removal process actually works first.

Laser tattoo removal works by basically blasting tattoo particles in your skin apart into tiny pieces with a laser. This means that as those particles are broken up into smaller and smaller pieces, they are then sent into your bloodstream to be flushed out by your body’s immune system. After all, that old ink has to go somewhere, right? But because a smoker’s immune system is not in optimal condition, it can be much harder for a smoker’s body to flush out and remove the ink particles. This means that laser tattoo removal results may be harder to get in the same period of time for someone that is a smoker compared to a nonsmoker.

It’s been known for a long time that smoking negatively affects your body’s health and it’s ability to heal wounds. Toxins in cigarettes like carbon monoxide and nicotine depress your body’s immune system, which is what supports your immune function and ability to recover from wounds or illnesses. Nicotine reduces the amount of red blood cells your body makes, lowering your body’s ability to heal wounds. Carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen in your system, negatively affecting how your immune system functions. Whether you smoke cigarettes or something else, any kind of smoking will negatively affect your immune system.

Surprising facts about smoking

According to a study published by the American Medical Association’s Archives of Dermatology, smoking can reduce the effectiveness of laser tattoo removal by up to 70%. This can obviously make your quest in removing a tattoo much more difficult, time consuming, costly, and potentially frustrating.

If you’re considering removing a tattoo and you’re also a smoker, I encourage you to consider your long term goals including your health and how much time you are willing to invest in an elective process that can come with a higher price tag. If the effectiveness of this process is drastically reduced because of your health, then it may take a much longer time to achieve the results you desire, or, you may not be able to remove your tattoo to the extent you want.

Consider your health

If you are extremely interested in removing a tattoo, you may want to quit smoking altogether for now and focus on your health. This includes not smoking, eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and getting appropriate exercise.

Knowing more information helps you make decisions for your health and your tattoo removal journey. Maybe you choose to quit smoking and focus on your health during the laser tattoo removal process. Or, maybe tattoo removal is just not a choice you can currently make. If you have questions about the process or want to talk to the actual person who removes tattoos, fill out our free consultation form or give me a call. We can chat about your concerns and options for removing a tattoo.

Cheers,

Jim

August 16, 2022August 25, 2022

Tattoo cover up journey: Cats, lasers and a brand new tattoo

This tattoo cover up has been over 20 years in the making

It’s always exciting for me to get big new projects for laser tattoo removal! Our newest project is a large piece intended for a tattoo cover up, so our goal will be to lighten this as much as possible into a gray wash type tone. This will allow my client to choose any tattoo artist they desire for their cover up, and get a great result that will last for many years to come. This is my first post saying farewell to this cat, and I’ll document the journey from start to finish.

This cat piece is around 20 years old and roughly 10″ wide by 8″ tall. Colors on this tattoo to be removed include black, grey, green and purple. I would consider the ink saturation level to be medium to heavy. I’m estimating that laser removal sessions will probably range from 4-8 depending on how their body and ink respond to the process.

Large Cat tattoo for eventual tattoo cover up — Large cat design for tattoo cover up

3 factors that effect laser tattoo removal results for a tattoo cover up:

Health of the person: Your health plays a large role when you get laser tattoo removal- blood flow is everything! This means that underlying health problems or those that smoke may cause laser tattoo removal to be a slower process. After all, laser tattoo removal blasts the ink in your skin, so that it can be broken down by your body and then processed out. Any extra burden like smoking can slow this process down.
Age of the tattoo: Tattoos that are 10 years or older are prime candidates for laser tattoo removal. The sun and time have already lightened up the tattoo for us. This isn’t to say we can’t remove newer tattoos, because it’s definitely possible. The process may take a little longer, but results depend on multiple factors. Our buddy the cat here is a 20+ year old tattoo, which ensures we will see great results within the first 2-3 lightening sessions. Lots of us have made questionable ink choices- if you have a really old tattoo you hate, it’s typically easier to get rid of those. Many of my clients didn’t consider laser tattoo removal until they learned they could lighten up their old tattoos to get a tattoo cover up. This has now become the go to option for many people who desire to renew their canvas. Tattoos are no longer permanent, and our technology ensures the integrity of your skin so it can be covered with something you love.
Ink Density: The heaviness of the ink can speed up or slow down the process. As you can see, we have some pretty heavy ink on the cat’s head, as well as some thick line work throughout this tattoo. If you notice how “fuzzy” the tattoo looks, that gives the impression of broken down ink, which definitely plays in our favor when we’re looking to laser this old tattoo. Time and sun exposure can cause this process to accelerate, and if you have a tattoo that you hate looking like this, you’re in a good position to be considering laser tattoo removal.

As we work on this tattoo removal process I’ll be updating you with new posts to show you the progress each month on as we laser it away, to monitor how well the tattoo removal treatments are working. You’ll also get to see the coverup process including the drawing, stencil and tattoo progress as it goes. I’m excited to see how this one turns out. Stay tuned!

Cheers!

-Jim