Tattoo removal requests are common. Maybe the design has aged, the outcome wasn’t what you expected, or the name on your neck belongs to someone no longer in the picture. Whatever the case, you have two options: a cover-up or removal.
Which one do you choose, and what should you expect? Is one better than the other, and how do you pick? Here’s everything you need to know before you decide.
How Laser Tattoo Removal Works
In laser tattoo removal, high-powered lasers beam high-intensity energy pulses into the skin, where they’re absorbed by the tattoo pigment just below the surface. This process breaks down the ink into tiny particles that get metabolized and then excreted by your body.
But removing a tattoo with a laser takes time. Your immune system has to clean up the metabolized ink between sessions, and you need to let your body process what the laser breaks down before you book the next round.
Realistically, laser tattoo removal takes between 6 and 12 sessions for most people. And many clients space those sessions six to eight weeks apart. That means the total timeline for full laser tattoo removal is about 24 months on average. In other words, this isn’t a one-and-done situation. It’s easier to get a tattoo than to remove one.
Factors That Affect How Many Sessions It Will Take
Several factors can affect how many tattoo removal sessions it takes to get rid of your ink. Ink quality and color are significant, since colored tattoos present unique challenges and can be difficult to fully remove. And red ink only clears at 70-80%, meaning some of the design could be left behind.
Yellows and greens are the hardest tattoos to remove. But older ink may require fewer sessions because of natural pigment breakdown over time. Each body is different, so discuss your situation with Venom Ink Tattoo and Piercing today to learn more.
FACT: Tattoo placement also matters. Hands and feet often fade more slowly than ink on torsos and other extremities with ample blood flow.
What Does Laser Tattoo Removal Cost?
The cost of laser tattoo removal varies widely based on several factors, such as the shop doing the work, the design complexity, color, and location, and the number of sessions required. To estimate your costs, multiply each session’s fee by the number of sessions needed to fully remove your tattoo.
Tattoo Cover-Ups: What’s Possible
A cover-up tattoo is designed to conceal what’s already there. It’s meant to be indistinguishable from new ink when done well. However, when done poorly, it can make matters worse. Here’s what makes a cover-up worth it or not:
- Cover-ups should be at least twice the size of the original piece.
- The new ink should be significantly darker than the original.
Tattoo artists who advise clients on these matters aren’t trying to stifle creativity. They’re merely working within the confines of how ink behaves in the skin. Book a consultation to discuss your ideas and discover what’s possible.
TIP: For darker, bolder tattoos that need to be covered up or removed, consider a laser tattoo removal session to lighten the design before covering it.
Ink Designs That Work Best for Cover-Ups
Not every tattoo design is a candidate for a cover-up. So, walking into Venom Ink Tattoo and Piercing with a rigid vision is the quickest way to walk out disappointed. While our approach centers on flexibility, we want what’s best for you and your skin in the long term. Therefore, we recommend laser tattoo removal over cover-ups in some cases.
For example. Faded tattoos are much easier for us to cover than dark ones. That’s because aged ink gives our artists more design flexibility. It means that a faded color tattoo from 20 years ago might be easier to cover than a small black design from last summer. Our team can help guide you to the best solution.
If you’re working with intense tribal work or heavy lettering, understand that those are some of the hardest tattoos to cover completely. In many cases, clients need several laser fading sessions first to expand their options and give the artist a better canvas.
Questions to Ask Your Tattoo Artist
Should you get laser tattoo removal or a cover-up? These are the questions to ask your tattoo artist:
- Can I see examples of your laser removals and cover-ups?
- Would laser fading first give me better design options?
- How many sessions should I expect?
- How big does the new design have to be to cover my tattoo?
- What styles work best given what I’m covering?
Whether you want your tattoo gone or transformed, Venom Ink Tattoo and Piercing can handle it. Call or stop by to talk through your design and concerns. We can collaborate to conceal your old ink as effectively as possible. No regrets.