If you want to know more about how tattoo fading helps remove your unwanted tattoo, you have come to the right place. Laser tattoo removal is the most effective way to remove a tattoo completely or fade it so you can cover it up with a new one.
But how long after laser tattoo removal will a tattoo fade? To help answer this question, we first need to help you understand how laser tattoo removal treatment works and what the healing process looks like.
If you want to speak with one of our laser tattoo removal specialists, get in touch via the link below.
Understanding more about the laser tattoo removal process
Finding the right laser treatment for tattoo fading
Not all laser treatments are equal when it comes to tattoo removal. With so many available on the market, you need to do your homework on which is right for your skin type and which will deliver the best results.
At Zapp Laser Studio, we use the PicoSure laser device to completely remove or fade tattoos. This is one of the world’s most advanced laser treatments for the removal of tattoo ink.
The device is much more precise than other lasers. It targets ink particles much harder and faster, so they break down easily into smaller particles and be removed by the body.
The other benefits of PicoSure laser tattoo removal are:
- Uses two wavelengths to target all colours on the spectrum
- Proven results, even on the most stubborn and challenging tattoos
- Works well on most skin types (most effective on skin types 1-4)
- Each laser tattoo removal session takes less than ten minutes to complete. It is only a few seconds for smaller tattoos
What happens during laser tattoo removal treatment?
Laser tattoo removal works by firing ultra-short bursts of laser light energy over the tattoo. The short bursts allow for a more precise and targeted way to break down your tattoo ink into smaller ink particles. This process also ensures that there is no damage to the healthy skin that surrounds the tattoo.
Once the ink particles are broken down into smaller pieces, your body’s immune system will process and remove them. It will take more than one session before your tattoo fades completely because each laser tattoo removal treatment session will work on different parts of the tattoo ink.
In your first few treatments, we will increase the depth of the laser to work on the deeper levels of tattoo ink. Then, as we move to the final sessions, we decrease the depth of the laser but increase the intensity to shatter the ink particles on the skin’s surface.
How many laser tattoo removal treatments will I need to fade my tattoo?
It is true that fading a tattoo requires fewer laser tattoo removal treatments than getting a tattoo fully removed. However, there are certain factors that you need to take into account.
The size, age, colour and placement of your tattoo can impact how many times you will need a laser treatment session and how long it will take to fade your tattoo.
Every tattoo is different and how people respond to treatment is different. However, on average our clients need 2-6 laser sessions to completely fade a tattoo.
How long will it take for my tattoo to fade after laser tattoo removal?
Laser tattoo removal is not a quick fix. As you can see, you will need more than one treatment to fade or completely remove your tattoo. But more importantly, you cannot have your treatments too close together. This is because you need to give your skin time to heal and for your immune system to process and remove the ink particles.
A good tip to note is, the longer you leave between your laser removal sessions, the more fading you will see. This requires some patience, but it is how you will see the best results.
In the early stages of your tattoo removal treatment, you will need to wait ten weeks between sessions. As you progress in your tattoo removal journey, we will ask you to wait slightly longer between sessions. This is because the ink from the surface of the skin will take longer to travel through the immune system and be flushed out.
Even after your final tattoo removal treatment, you will need to give your body at least three months to remove the ink and for your skin to heal. We also advise you not to get a cover-up tattoo until at least six months after your final treatment. This will give your tattoo artist the best base to work on.
Take note of the laser tattoo removal aftercare advice
To see great results, you need to listen to and follow the advice of your laser expert. Before and during your treatment, they will provide you with a set of laser tattoo removal aftercare instructions to help your skin heal and increase the fading of your tattoo.
This will include avoiding sun exposure for two weeks before your treatment and also after your treatment. If you need to go out in the sun, always cover up your tattoo to protect the skin. If you expose your treated skin to the sun, it can increase the chances of hyperpigmentation.
Your laser technician will also advise you how to care for and clean the treatment area. They will also tell you not to take medications such as blood thinners or aspirin, which can increase the risk of bruising.
Book your initial consultation to speak to a laser tattoo removal expert
If you are ready to talk about next steps, get in touch with our team to book a consultation for laser tattoo removal.
At this appointment, we will assess your tattoo, look at your medical history and discuss what results you want to achieve. From this, we can develop a tailored treatment plan that will help with fading your tattoo, so you can enjoy clear skin or get your new and improved tattoo design.