Jump to:
- Can all tattoos be removed?
- Is laser tattoo removal expensive?
- Can tattoos be removed without scarring?
- Does tattoo removal really work?
- Is there a natural way to remove tattoos?
- Can a tattoo be removed in one session?
- Can you tattoo over a removed tattoo?
- Can microblading or permanent makeup be removed?
- Conclusion
Are you looking for tattoo removal? We’ve been performing laser tattoo removal in Vancouver for over a decade. Take advantage of our perfected process, and our own, in-clinic methods.
There are a lot of unknown answers to questions people have about tattoo removal. Even though the desire to remove tattoos has been around for decades (if not since the beginning of tattoos themselves), people still wonder about the process.
In this article, we’ll let you know answers to common FAQs about tattoo removal. We hope to set the record straight about what’s involved, what you’re right to worry about and what shouldn’t keep you up at night.
Can all tattoos be removed?
When it comes to modern laser tattoo removal, most of the time, the answer to this is, yes!
However, the process can take longer for:
- Lighter colour inks, such as yellow, white and red
- Ink of any colour that was imparted into the skin too deeply
- Dark skin tones
But, if you have the patience for it, laser tattoo removal is possible for nearly any type of tattoo.
Other methods of tattoo removal may not work as effectively, nor as safely.
Is laser tattoo removal expensive?
This depends on what one finds to be “expensive.” Some people see a lot of value in getting rid of their tattoos, and the price is worth it. For others, living with a less-than-desirable tattoo is not a big deal, and they don’t see the point in paying for it to be removed. So, the answer to this question can vary from person to person.
Also, keep in mind that tattoo removal costs are different for every type of tattoo, and every person that a medical clinic works on. Price depend on:
- The size of the tattoo
- How deeply the tattoo ink resides in the skin
- The colour of the tattoo
- The type of ink used in the tattoo
- The need to avoid burning the skin during treatments (which is more likely with darker skin tones)
- The type of laser that needs to be used for the type of tattoo being removed
When all of the above are assessed, a doctor or laser technician can give you an idea of how many sessions it will take to remove your tattoo, as well as how long each session will take. This is how tattoo removal pricing is determined.
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Can tattoos be removed without scarring?
Yes! This is possible nowadays with laser technology (as long as the right laser is used, and used appropriately).
As a caveat, we will say that lasers can sometimes burn the skin, leaving behind post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. In these cases, the issue can be treated after the fact, or may go away with time.
However, the medical aesthetician doing the treatment should be working under the supervision of a doctor, who should know how to avoid burns altogether. This is why it is very important to pick an experienced tattoo removal specialist working in a medical setting.
Blistering (not scaring) is a normal part of laser tattoo removal and should heal in due time.
Old methods of tattoo removal such as:
- Skin salabrasion
- Dermabrasion
- Glycolic acid injections
- Skin removal or skin graft tattoo removal
Are more likely to leave marks and scars.
Does tattoo removal really work?
When it comes to laser tattoo removal, the answer is: absolutely, yes!
With modern, picosecond lasers, we can get skin looking like it has never had a tattoo before. Older, Q-switched tattoo removal lasers can take longer to get the tattoo out completely.
For the fastest and most effective clearance of ink, go with a medical clinic that has a picosecond laser, such as the PicoSure™ or enlighten® laser (we have both at our laser centre!).
Other methods of tattoo removal are not as likely to work. They have to reach down into the dermis (lower layers of skin) to affect ink particles. There is no way to do this without destroying the epidermis (top layers of skin) in the process.
Lasers, on the other hand, bypass the epidermis to reach the dermis. This leaves skin in-tact, so it doesn’t scar.
In case you’re wondering, tattoo removal cream does not work.
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Is there a natural way to remove tattoos?
Tattoo ink is purposefully put deep into the skin where normal skin shedding does not affect it. In theory, it can fade over time. This depends on the type of ink that was used, and how deeply it was imparted into the skin to begin with. But generally, tattoos are there to stay. That is – unless intervention is used to get rid of them.
So, when seeking “natural” methods to get rid of tattoos, one has to ask what this means, exactly.
If you are looking for a chemical-free way to get rid of tattoos, then lasers would be your top choice. If you are looking for a non-surgical way to get rid of tattoos, then again, lasers would be your top choice.
But, if you’re looking for an intervention-free method to get rid of tattoos, this is not possible.
No substance made from anything in its natural form will get rid of tattoos.
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Can a tattoo be removed in one session?
Nope. It always takes multiple sessions. You should expect at least 2 sessions, but it always depends on your tattoo and your skin tone, as noted above. Most people can get rid of tattoos in 4 to 10 sessions. But, this is not a guarantee, only a guideline.
Plus, no one can really predict how many sessions it will take to remove your tattoo completely. Doctors can give you a best guess, based on their experience. But the tattoo simply needs to be treated again and again until it goes away.
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Can you tattoo over a removed tattoo?
Of course!
This is actually a common reason people want to get tattoo removal. While some want their tattoo removed completely, others want to re-do the art on their body, or change just some of it. Laser tattoo removal can be customized so as to remove parts of a tattoo, if requested.
Can microblading or permanent makeup be removed?
Yes! The process is similar to laser tattoo removal. We wrote an article about this here:
Laser tattoo removal is an effective way to solve tattoo remorse
Whether you want to get rid of your tattoo to reveal your natural skin, or you want to remove parts of it to get a new tattoo, both scenarios are possible with laser tattoo removal.
Laser tattoo removal is the most modern, safe and effective way to get rid of permanent ink on the body. While other options exist, they can leave a scar or a mark in the process.
So, for the value you get in return, laser tattoo removal is the way to go, if you really can’t live with your tattoo.
Are you looking for tattoo removal? We’ve been performing laser tattoo removal in Vancouver for over a decade. Take advantage of our perfected process, and our own, in-clinic methods.
See more on our blog:
