Laser Tattoo Removal & Ink Fading

Laser tattoo removal or fading is done at Skinspirations using the Q-Switched Revlite Si laser, which is the gold standard for laser tattoo removal.

Laser tattoo removal using the Revlite Q-switched laser at Skinspirations

Kate Dellangello, DNP, painlessly performs Laser Tattoo Removal at Skinspirations

How does laser tattoo removal work?

Each of the laser wavelengths targets different colors of ink with ultra-short bursts of energy, causing the ink to fragment into tiny particles. These pigment fragments are then either propelled out of the skin or are carried away by white blood cells. Each treatment breaks up more of the remaining pigment and produces progressive fading of the tattoo.

Even with the newest ultra-short pulsed lasers, some tattoo ink colors respond faster than other colors. Black, purple and dark blue tattoo pigments fade in fewer treatments than red and orange. Yellow and light shades of green tattoo ink are the most difficult to remove with the pigment-targeting lasers but a fractionated ablative laser such as our Sciton Profractional laser has also been shown to be effective at removing tattoo ink.

The Profractional laser can help remove tattoos of any color since the laser targets water and not specific colors. The laser vaporizes thousands of tiny holes down into the skin, allowing the tattoo ink particles to escape. When Profractional is combined with the Q-switched laser, the tiny vaporized columns help prevent the bubbling that occurs when the Q-switched is done alone, and tattoo fading can be achieved in fewer treatments. 

Fading the ink for a new tattoo

Many of our tattoo patients want to replace an old tattoo with a new one, and usually, enough fading of the original can be accomplished for the artist to cover it with just one or two treatments. 

What to expect with Laser Tattoo Treatments

At Skinspirations, we make tattoo removal as comfortable as possible by using an injected anesthetic before each treatment. There is some slight burning when the anesthetic is applied but it makes the laser treatment virtually painless. A prescription-strength anesthetic cream is also an option if patients prefer it but it must be applied at least sixty minutes prior to arrival.  Most patients who have tried both methods prefer the anesthetic injection. 

Immediately after a laser tattoo removal treatment, the tattoo will usually look red and puffy. In the first 72 hours, the treated area sometimes forms a crust, especially with the first treatments or when treating a tattoo that was placed over another. 

How many laser tattoo removal treatments will I need?

The number of treatments required for maximum improvement is impossible to predict and depends on the types of pigments used by the artist, as well as the size, location, depth, age, and colors of the tattoo. The Kirby-Desai Tattoo Scale can usually provide a rough approximation of the number of laser tattoo removal treatments that will be needed. Add up the points on the scale and the total number is roughly equivalent to the number of treatment sessions you'll need. Most tattoos require 5 - 15 sessions to be erased, and colored pigment often requires more treatments than black.

A colored tattoo before and after laser removal

Treatments are done at least 8 weeks apart to allow the fragmented pigment particles to disperse.  With densely pigmented tattoos, it may take several treatments to appreciate any fading since there is so much ink present. As noted above, some colors may not respond at all to laser tattoo treatments.

If you are interested in fading or removing a tattoo, schedule your Free Consultation at Skinspirations or call 727-571-1923 for an appointment.

To see our laser tattoo removal in action click here.

Our Laser Tattoo Removal prices are based on the size of the tattoo in square inches. You can determine the size of the tattoo or part of the tattoo that you want to treat, by multiplying the width times the height to get the total square inches.

Skinspirations Laser Tattoo Removal prices are listed below with 15% off the individual treatment price when you purchase a package of five sessions.

Tattoo size in square inchesSingle TreatmentPackage of 5
Less than 1$125$531
1.1 - 4$175$744
4.1 - 10$245$1,041
10.1 - 20$295$1,254
20.1 - 30$395$1,679
30.1 - 50$495$2,104
   

To make an appointment for a complimentary consultation to see if laser tattoo removal is right for you, call us at 727.571.1923, text us at 727.263.4798, or email us at info@skinspirations.com.

  • A colored butterfly tattoo before and after laser removal

  • black tattoo before and after laser removal