Your tattoo might not be fading after laser removal due to factors like ink color (greens/yellows are tough), deep ink, poor immune system/circulation, sun exposure, improper aftercare (hydration, smoking), insufficient sessions, or the wrong laser type/settings, as the body needs time (weeks/months) to flush out shattered ink particles after each treatment.
Lasers can only break up the ink into smaller particles. It's up to your body's lymphatic systems ability to carry it away. We recommend waiting 2-4 months between treatments. It's going to take several treatments to get rid of the lines and very dark shading on your tattoo.
The timeline of this treatment varies greatly from person to person, but most clients need between six and twelve sessions to completely remove a tattoo. Given the time in between each appointment, this means that you can see your final results within one or two years.
You can take steps to strengthen your immune system so that it can do its job efficiently and get rid of ink particles quickly after each laser treatment.
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.
Ideally, the waiting time of about six to eight weeks between treatments will allow for complete healing. If the tattooed area is still scabbed or visibly healing from the last laser treatment, it is beneficial to wait even longer.
Typically, 3 to 10 laser sessions could be necessary to fade a tattoo enough for a cover-up. The exact number depends on factors like ink density and colours used.
At each of these moments there's an opportunity for laser tattoo removal to go wrong. When proper procedures and protocols are not followed there's a possibility for things to go badly, in some cases resulting in skin discoloration, textural change or even scarring.
Lasers heat up the ink particles in your skin to break them down into smaller particles, which are easier for your immune system to remove. It can take multiple laser therapy sessions to remove a tattoo.
The white pigmentation turns into a darker pigment because the laser breaks the particles apart into tiny fragments which oxidize with the light exposure and the tattoo often turns into a light brown or blue shade.
Many tattoos can be removed fully, though results vary. Some patients achieve total clearance, while others may see a subtle shadow or slight color variation left behind.
Immediately post treatment you can expect to see some mild redness. You may also see some of your pigmentation spots or areas turn slightly darker. This is normal and the pigment naturally start to fade away within 2-4 weeks after your body naturally get rid of the residual pigment.
Since the tattoo sinks into the skin as it ages, it is actually easier to remove older tattoos than new tattoos. In fact, removing a new tattoo could end up causing scarring or other harm to your skin, which is why we recommend waiting at least six weeks to remove a brand-new tattoo.
Most people will need 6 to 12 sessions spaced 4 to 8 weeks apart to see significant results. How does laser tattoo removal work? Laser tattoo removal works by breaking up the ink particles in the tattoo with a high-intensity laser beam. The ink is then absorbed by the body and eventually fades away.
Hydroquinone: Often considered the gold standard for hyperpigmentation, hydroquinone works by inhibiting melanin production. Apply it as directed by your provider for safe and effective results. Vitamin C: Vitamin C serums offer antioxidant protection and help brighten dark spots.
Paradoxical darkening of certain tattoos is a well-known complication after laser therapy. 6,7. Darkening most commonly occurs with pink, red, skin-colored, and white tattoos. 8. This occurs due to a chemical reaction between laser and iron or titanium within those tattoos.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Exfoliation - Exfoliation paired with hydrogen peroxide can do wonders to gradually fade tattoo ink naturally. This is because exfoliation removes dead skin while hydrogen peroxide is a skin lightening agent that has bleaching properties.
Dermabrasion. Dermabrasion is a surgical tattoo removal method. This process involves grinding away the top layers of skin to expose the dermis. Once the ink molecules are exposed, the surgical machine powers through this deeper layer of skin to remove the tattoo.
The most commonly used neutralizing color is a deep orange to cancel out the blue and blue-green shades of common tattoo inks. For tattoos with dark black ink, you should use a deep red neutralizer.
Ink Density and Saturation
When a tattoo is denser and more saturated, it means that there are more ink particles deposited into the skin. The more ink particles deposited into the skin means more work for the laser and your body and most likely will require more treatments and more time.
Research on tattoos older than 40 years shows that ink particles remain in the deep dermis and local lymph nodes. According to the WHO data from animal experiments, black and red tattoo ink particles reach the liver, and titanium dioxide (white pigment) reaches the liver, spleen, and lung (4).
Yes, a tattoo can often be 100% removed, but it's not guaranteed and depends heavily on factors like ink color (black is easiest, yellow/white hardest), tattoo depth, skin type, immune system strength, and aftercare. While many people achieve complete clearance, some might be left with faint "whisps" or ghosting, though significant fading to near invisibility is common, even if 100% clearance isn't reached.
A tattoo artist may lighten a tattoo by making the skin light. This can be done by using a white base color, then applying a layer of pale, neutral color, and finally, applying a layer of skin tone color. This way, the tattoo won't look as dark anymore.
When applied correctly, a good tattoo aftercare moisturizer can make colors look sharper and keep irritation down. However, overdoing it may slow healing, damage the skin, and even affect how the tattoo looks long-term.
White tattoo ink is the most susceptible to fading. In fact, most white ink tattoos become illegible within 5-7 years. Many tattoo artists use dark ink colors next to white to help fence this tricky pigment.