More and more people are getting tattoos. But because of this, we also see an increase in people who regret their tattoo choices and want them removed. If you are looking into laser tattoo removal, you might be asking yourself – how many sessions does it take to remove a tattoo?
There are a number of factors that can impact removing unwanted tattoos. The first is do you want to fade your tattoo to cover it up with a new one, or do you want complete tattoo removal? The next is finding the right laser treatment that will work for your skin type and type of tattoo.
But don’t worry, you are not expected to know the answers to all of these questions. At Zapp Laser Studio, we are experts in laser tattoo removal. We successfully help people with all skin types and all colours, shapes and sizes of tattoo to fade or completely remove their tattoos.
We will break down how many laser treatments you will need to say goodbye to unwanted tattoos and how the laser tattoo removal process works. You can also speak to one of our tattoo removal experts in person by contacting us below.
How many laser tattoo removal sessions will I need to fade a tattoo?
Not everyone hates the design their tattoo artist created. For some, the regret of having a tattoo can come from having a name etched on their skin from a relationship that has now ended. For others, they made an impulsive decision on holiday or on a night out that they wish they had not.
If you still want a tattoo, but just not the one you have, tattoo fading might be the right choice for you. Naturally, fading a tattoo requires fewer laser treatment sessions than it does to remove tattoos. However, there are factors such as the size of your tattoo, how intricate the design is and the location of your tattoo that can impact how long it takes to fade it.
Laser tattoo removal is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. However, as a guide, we can tell you that on average, you will need 2-6 laser sessions to fade a tattoo to cover it up.
The number of sessions you will need for complete tattoo removal
Sometimes we get a new tattoo and instantly take a dislike to the design. Or an old tattoo no longer has the same meaning or looks as good as it used to. In this instant, you might be looking at complete tattoo removal with laser treatment.
This is a slightly longer process as it will require the laser energy to work at different depths to target and shatter all of the tattoo ink on your skin. Again, if you have a more complex design, colours which are more stubborn for the laser to remove such as yellow or white, or a newer tattoo, you will need more tattoo removal treatments.
On average, our clients have anywhere from six to ten laser tattoo removal sessions to fully remove their tattoos. When you meet with one of our laser experts at your consultation, they will assess the tattoo you want removed. From this, they can develop a tailored treatment plan that will ensure you get the results you want.
So, why do you need this many laser tattoo removal treatments? To explain this, you need to understand more about how laser tattoo removal works.
How does laser tattoo removal work?
Not every laser tattoo removal treatment is the same. and each brings with it different results. At Zapp Laser Studio, we use the PicoSure laser device. This is because it is one of the most effective tattoo removal devices on the market. The advanced laser technology is proven to work on all colours and remove the most stubborn and challenging tattoos.
The treatment works by firing short pulses of laser light energy over the tattoo. This provides a more direct and precise way to target the tattoo ink particles and shatter them without damaging the surrounding skin. Once the ink particles are broken down into smaller pieces, the body will then process them naturally through the immune system.
Each of the sessions targets different ink particles. In the first few treatments, we increase the depth of the laser to work on the ink deeper within the skin. In the final few sessions, we decrease the depth of the laser but increase the intensity. This helps break down tattoo ink on the surface of the skin.
The PicoSure laser works well on most skin types. However, it is most effective on skin types 1-4 (those with a light skin to medium skin tone). The laser device does struggle with skin types 5 and 6 because it can run the risk of removing skin pigment and the tattoo ink tends to sit too high.
The treatment may still work on darker skin tones, but you will need a patch test first to ensure you are suitable for treatment.
The healing process is important
After every session of laser tattoo removal, you will need to give your skin time to heal itself. You also need to give your body time to process the ink particles and remove them from your body. The longer you leave between each session, the more fading or removal of a tattoo you will see.
In the first stages of your tattoo removal treatment, we advise you to wait at least 10 weeks between each session. In the later stages, we advise you to wait longer between sessions. This is because it will take your body longer to process and remove the ink particles on the surface of your skin.
Between your laser tattoo removal treatments, we ask that you avoid sun exposure or at least cover your tattoo if you go out in the sun. This is because changes in your skin pigment can make the laser less effective and can also cause damage to your skin.
Book a laser tattoo removal consultation
The best way to find out more about laser tattoo removal and see how it works is to speak with one of our experts in person. A no-obligation consultation allows us to get to know you more, assess your skin type and tattoo, and for you to ask any questions you might have.
We offer tattoo removal based in London, Bristol and Brighton and Hove. So, get in touch and find out how we can help you fade or completely remove your unwanted tattoo.