In short, yes, a tattoo can be removed completely. Each patient's tattoo removal experience is different, as many variables can come into play during this process.
If your tattoo is old, you will also likely see better results following tattoo removal. Occasionally, it is possible to see a tattoo, even after laser treatments. This may indicate that you require more treatments. Some patients who intend to get another tattoo over top only want to see some fading of their tattoo.
Depending on how you respond to the treatment, our lasers can deliver visible results within a few months. After one or two years, most people are clear of their unwanted ink for good.
From the Second Week Onwards After Tattoo Removal
You might notice the treated skin looking darker as the pigment rises to the surface of the skin. The area around it might lighten (hypopigmentation) or darken (hyperpigmentation) too. This is completely normal and will fade with time.
One of the most common questions we get during our laser tattoo removal consultations is, “will my skin go back to normal?” And if this is something you've wondered too, we have good news for you. For the most part, yes, your skin will go back to “normal”!
Contrary to what you might think, your tattoo is not getting darker and it's a normal part of the removal process. Your tattoo is actually still fading even if it looks more vibrant. In fact, it means you are well on your way to clear, tattoo-free skin!
Green is the hardest color to remove followed by light blue. Neon colors are also incredibly difficult to remove, and typically require multiple treatments with the Ruby laser. As a general rule, the greater the contrast between the color of the tattoo pigment and your skin, the better the result.
Older tattoos generally fade more easily with laser treatments than newer ones. For instance, a black tattoo that is ten years old may take one or two treatments less than a one year old black tattoo. Why? Because the body has already absorbed some of the tattoo's pigment throughout the years, making it easier to fade.
After the laser-removal process, which Doft notes, typically works best on darker, older tattoos, the ink is recognized as waste within the lymphatic system and discarded via either sweat, urine, or fecal matter.
The body will continue to eliminate the ink's particles for months and even years after your final treatment. It isn't recommended to undergo a few laser treatments and expect to completely disappear on its own, but if you're planning a road trip and won't be in town for a while, you have nothing to worry about.
Laser tattoo removal is generally considered the most effective method for removing tattoos, with many cases resulting in 95% or greater fading or complete removal. Its effectiveness depends on various factors like skin type, tattoo age, colors, and size.
Laser Tattoo Removal After 1 Session
After the first session, most people can expect some significant fading, especially outlines. It's also important to note that differences in your tattoo will affect how the fading appears. You might see substantial fading in one portion of your tattoo and less in others.
Again, there is no guarantee that your tattoo will completely disappear after treatment. Some tattoos only fade partially, leaving a “ghost” or “shadow” image behind.
Our experts recommend waiting until your tattoo has completely healed which can take around six to eight weeks after having the tattoo before you start your removal sessions. This will help avoid damage to your skin. How long does it take to remove fresh tattoo ink from skin?
It will take approximately 7 to 15 months (or more ?☹️) for your tattoo to fade considerably using laser treatment. 'Tattoo fading' is a better way to describe the results you get with laser treatment.
Different colors of ink absorb color differently. Specifically, lighter colors like white, yellow, light blue, and pink are the most difficult to remove, as are green, red, and neon colors.
Very dense tattoos with shading and thick lines will also take longer to remove, simply because there are more ink particles for your immune system to process. In some cases, very dense tattoos may only fade rather than completely disappear, because some of the ink can become trapped, deeper into the skin.
Different dyes respond to different light wavelengths. Black and dark green are the easiest colors to remove; yellow, purple, turquoise and fluorescent dyes are hardest to fade.
In some cases, people may want to remove a tattoo because it prevents them from getting a job or because it is causing them embarrassment. Other times, people may want to remove a tattoo because it has faded and become illegible over time or because they are no longer in love with the design.