Let's Talk Laser Tattoo Removal: Part 1

While it may seem a bit odd that a tattoo studio is addressing tattoo removal in a news post, it truly IS part of what we do!  

There have been countless occasions where someone will walk into our establishment solely to inquire about getting rid of a dreaded tattoo.  For some, it may be the name of a former partner; for others it may be an age-old tattoo that they have no connection to in the present.  Regardless of the reason, the good news is something CAN be done. 

As many of our clients know, we work very closely with Bye Bye Ink when it comes to laser removal.  They are professional, knowledgeable, and transparent, which are values we hold in high regard.  When we approached the owner (& our mentor) Jackie with the question, “What are the top 5 things people should know BEFORE they get laser tattoo removal?”, here were her responses:

1.  It’s a PROCESS!  Most tattoos take 6-10 sessions to fully remove and 1-4 to lighten for a tattoo cover-up.

2.  BBI’s protocol is to wait 8-12 weeks in between each laser session.  Jackie does emphasize the longer you wait between sessions the better, so the ink continues to fade.  Waiting 3 months instead of 2 will result in a better overall result, as well as LESS MONEY SPENT!!      

3.  Absolutely no new/fresh sun exposure/tan within two weeks PRIOR TO your laser appointments.

4.  Jackie cannot stress this enough: Every tattoo and individual is different, therefore results always vary! For example;

• A single needle tattoo will be gone in half the time of a dark, thick tribal tattoo. 
• The healthier a persons immune system, the faster the results. Someone with diabetes or any autoimmune will most likely take double the time to remove. 
• Just because a tattoo is “small”, does not mean it will be fully gone faster than a larger tattoo. The biggest factor is saturation and depth of the tattoo.

5.  The most common phone call question: “How much is tattoo removal?”   

The cost of laser tattoo removal is ultimately determined by the size of the tattoo. The color and age of the tattoo do not factor in to the overall cost.  This is part of what is discussed at the consultation, so each client makes an informed decision they are confident with.