Pricing for tattoo removal is determined by the time and skill necessary to perform the service. Exact pricing will be discussed during your consultation; approximate session prices include: small area $150, shoulder $300, half sleeve $400, and full sleeve $500.
It's relatively common for tattoo removal to not remove a tattoo completely. But some tattoo removal procedures will completely remove the tattoo from your body. When tattoo removal isn't 100% successful, some colors of tattoo dye resist removal, and some pigment is too deep for lasers to reach, for example.
The cost for a single laser tattoo removal session typically falls between $200 and $500, depending on the tattoo's size: Small tattoos (1–2 square inches): $200–$300 per session. Medium tattoos (3–6 square inches): $300–$400 per session. Large tattoos (7+ square inches): $400–$500+ per session.
Across Australia, laser tattoo removal cost can range between $200 to $500 per removal treatment. If you pay as you go at Removery, each treatments can end up costing between $100 to $615.
Small Tattoos – 2 to 4 inches (5.08 to 10.16 cm): These require one to three hours. The increased time accommodates more detailed linework, basic shading for depth, or careful application of one or two colors. Medium Tattoos – palm-sized, 4 to 6 inches (10.16 to 15.24 cm): Completion time is three to five hours.
Please note: $50 tattoos are generally sized at 1 inch by 1 inch on arms and legs. Size, placement, and addition of color is available for an additional charge to be determined at the time of your visit.
How Painful Is Tattoo Removal? Tattoo removal does hurt a bit, but Removery's clients often say it feels no more painful than getting slapped by a rubber band. The pain experienced during laser tattoo removal is very minor. Laser tattoo removal is the most effective process available.
These lasers emit specific wavelengths of light that target the tattoo ink, breaking it into smaller pieces. Over time, your body's immune system clears away these fragments, gradually fading the tattoo. Laser tattoo removal can leave scars, but there are ways to reduce the risk of scarring.
Tattoo Ink
Black tattoos are the easiest to remove because the laser is able to target the black pigment more precisely. Other colors such as red, blues and greens can become more difficult to remove depending whether the tattoos were amateur or professional. Green is the hardest color to remove followed by light blue.
Laser tattoo removal is a lot more expensive than a cover-up tattoo. However, if you can't find a cover-up tattoo design you love, laser tattoo removal is the best choice.
Most people require, on average, about 6 to 12 sessions to completely remove their permanent tattoo. Many can start to see the fading just after 3 sessions, but the final result can only be seen after a year or two. The sessions take time because after every session, your skin needs a break to heal fully.
Hydrogen peroxide
It is designed to work as a disinfectant but is moderately effective at fading superficial layers of ink. On its own, hydrogen peroxide is not potent enough to penetrate the second layer of skin. As a result, fresh tattoos or deeply embedded tattoos won't be phased by it.
The age of a tattoo, contrary to what you might expect, doesn't really influence the process. Brand new tattoos - so long as they are fully healed - can be removed as easily as tatts you've had for 20 years. So the answer is yes, you can remove a 20-year-old tattoo with laser tattoo removal technology.
There's no evidence that tattoo removal creams work. At best, tattoo removal cream might fade or lighten a tattoo. The tattoo will remain visible, however, and skin irritation and other reactions are possible.
Ink density is a huge factor that determines how quickly the tattooed skin could be removed. Over time, your body naturally fades the ink particles with aging. However, some older tattoos could be densely packed in the skin which could result in additional removal sessions.
Laser tattoo removal is the most common method health care professionals use to remove or lighten tattoos. The laser light energy shatters the tattoo ink into small particles, which the body's immune system clears over time. The type of laser used to remove a tattoo depends on the tattoo's colors.
Lighter Skin Types (Fitzpatrick I-III)
Lighter skin tones typically respond well to most laser treatments since pigmentation changes are less likely. Tattoos with dark ink colors on lighter skin are usually easier to remove because of the contrast between the ink and skin tone.
Once broken down, the ink particles enter the lymphatic system and are processed similarly to other waste products. The body filters these particles through the liver and kidneys. While you don't literally “pee out” the ink, the kidneys filter waste, eventually exiting the body through urine.
Most tattoo removal treatments follow a similar pricing structure: Small tattoos (less than 2 inches): $150−$300 per session. Medium tattoos (2-6 inches): $300−$500 per session. Large tattoos (6-10 inches): $500−$800 per session.
Additionally, if a patient is unsure about whether they want to fully remove their tattoo, fading it first can help them make a more informed decision. That being said, full removal is typically the preferred option for patients who want to completely eliminate their unwanted tattoos.
Tattoos are permanent images in the skin, delivered by needles injecting ink into the dermis. This tissue is just underneath the outer layer of your skin, called the epidermis. The ink is injected into the dermis by a machine that delivers thousands of tiny pricks per minute via needle.
For a $400 tattoo, a 20% tip would be $80. For a $500 tattoo, a 20% tip would be $100. For a $1,000 tattoo, a 20% tip would be $200.
A small, simple quarter-sized tattoo could take an hour, whereas a large backpiece could take seven or 10. Size matters in this equation, and it's important to remember that time is also money. The longer it takes to finish, the more your piece will cost.