Your Skin Type

Believe it or not, skin tone can play a massive role in the length of time it takes to remove a tattoo completely. Tattoos remove faster and easier on someone with a lighter complexion. When using laser removal on darker skin tones, a higher wavelength laser is required in order to appropriately penetrate the dermis without causing any damage to the epidermis. If you were to use a low wavelength during laser treatment to have a tattoo removed on someone with darker skin, the patient will very likely experience hyper-pigmentation and scarring after removal. It is reasons like this that it is extremely important to first make sure you’ve chosen an experienced and professional technician when getting a tattoo removed.

Laser Technology

It is important to consult with your laser tattoo removal technician in order to make sure you’re happy with the laser equipment they’ll be using on your skin. The Q-switch and PicoSure tattoo lasers are among the most common. Feel free to do your own research on the technology after your consult to prepare yourself for your tattoo removal. Factors such as the technology used and the experience of your technician will determine whether you experience scarring or not. Scarring is an unlikely occurrence in the world of laser tattoo removal. Be sure to find a company and technician you trust, and your laser treatment to remove a tattoo will be stress and complication free.

Is your Technician Qualified?

Laser tattoo removal clinics are popping up all over town these days, it’s important to make sure your visiting an experienced skin specialist to have your tattoos laser removed. Doing your research and going in for a consult first is always a good idea. Here, your technician will be able to assess your tattoo ink and explain the tattoo removal process in depth. It’s key to find a technician you’re comfortable with considering the tattoo removal process is a long one and you’ll be working with this technician for at least 6 months.

Tattoo Location

There is a general rule of thumb to note whether the location of your tattoo will result in a successful removal treatment. Typically, the tattoo ink can be removed most effectively the closer it is to your heart. Removing tattoos located on forearms and calves typically take the longest. These locations will heal slower between laser removal sessions as they experience less circulation with slower healing rates and aren’t as high in blood and lymph nodes as other parts of the body. For example, the tattoos removal process on the face and neck are the easiest as they have a large lymph node and blood count.

Depth of Ink

It is more difficult to remove tattoos done my professionals. The deeper the tattoos ink has penetrated the skin, the more sessions will be required to achieve complete tattoo removal. Amateur tattoo artists tend to use a lighter hand, making the laser removal process much easier.

Type of Ink

Ink pigments are all made up of different ingredients, this largely effects the tattoo removal process. Black ink is the easiest to remove completely, followed by green and blue which can be a little more difficult. Pigments such as purple, yellow and white are the most difficult to remove completely. In order to successfully remove a bright, multi-coloured tattoo, different laser wavelengths are required.

The Tattoo’s Age

It can sometimes be an easier and faster process to remove an older tattoo completely. This is due to the ink diffusing upwards from the deeper layers of skin over time. A tattoo that has existed for 10 years or more may take one or two less sessions to remove. This is because by this point, your immune system would have already started to slowly absorb the ink particles. This allows the laser to break up the ink a lot easier.

Did your Original Tattoo Heal Properly?

When you get a tattoo, you can experience scarring from improper aftercare or if you visited an inexperienced artist. The process of getting tattoos injures the epidermis layer of skin, following aftercare protocol will lower the risk of experiencing scarring. If you visit an unprofessional tattoo artist, there’s a high chance you’ll receive a low quality tattoo. The artist you choose can effect numerous factors which may lead to a more difficult tattoo removal process later in life. Tattoo scarring isn’t always visible, which is why it’s super important to care for your fresh ink properly and to research the artist you use as removing ink particles from scar tissue makes the process much more difficult.

Aftercare Compliance

Following proper aftercare for your laser tattoo removal will effect the speed and effectiveness of the laser removal process. Waiting the recommended time between each laser removal session will allow your body to dispose of the ink and heal in preparation for another session of tattoo removal. Talk to your laser technician for more information on laser tattoo removing aftercare.

Immune System

Once your technician has broken down the particles, your immune system does all the work of removing the ink from your skin. If you have a healthy immune system, your body will absorb the ink much faster due to macrophages. These are cells which eat and dispose things such as infections, dead cells and of course, ink.

The placement of your tattoo will also make quite the difference to the level of tattoo removal pain experienced. For example, lasering your bottom would be much less painful than lasering somewhere like your neck. Here’s an easy way to roughly gauge the pain level of getting your tattoo removed. The further away the tattoo is from your bones or nerve endings, the less discomfort you’ll feel. Getting laser tattoo removal on your spine for example would likely be a very unpleasant experience. Yet again, this ultimately will come down to an individuals pain tolerance.

The science behind getting a tattoo removed is quite amazing. In order to remove the ink, lasers target the tattoo pigment in the dermis layer of skin which is the second layer of skin, below the epidermis. The laser is able to achieve ink removal by radiating laser light beams which break down the tattoo pigment particles. From then, these particles get recognised as waste by the lymphatic system and your body extracts the particles from your skin into your immune system to naturally excrete the pigment fragments.

Now that we’ve established that laser tattoo removal is inescapably a painful process, we can mention some of the ways which we can minimise the pain experienced whilst having your tattoos removed. The majority of the tattoo removal pain is caused by the continuous light energy exposure from the laser on the skin which creates a hot sensation. To counteract this, during your treatment you’ll notice that the laser machine used also puffs cold air at -35 degrees onto your tattoos. This works to cool the skin whilst the tattoo removal is taking place. Another way to make the tattoo removal hurt less is by applying a numbing cream. Most laser technicians will provide a topical anesthetic which they’ll apply to your tattoos roughly 30 minutes before the treatment or recommend that your purchase and apply the cream to your tattoos prior to arriving to your appointment. Remember that your laser technician will strive to do their best in order to keep the pain experienced to a minimum. Please voice your concerns and discomfort to your technician in order to allow them to either give you a breather during the session or react appropriately to your concerns.

How long does tattoo removal take?

Each tattoo removal session needs to be spread approximately 4-6 weeks apart. This time allows your immune system to sufficiently process the pigment particles from your tattoo before your next session. Depending on how large your tattoo is, what colours it’s made up of and how heavy the ink is, it can take 3 to 10 sessions to completely remove the tattoo. The length of each laser removal session can vary from 10 to 60 minutes depending on the size of the tattoos being removed. For reference, a medium sized tattoo of 10 square centimetres will typically last 10 to 15 minutes. Something to keep in mind is that you don’t have to completely remove your tattoo if you’re planning to get a cover up artwork done. Many people with heavy ink aiming for a coverup will only get a few laser sessions done in order to lighten the piece so that they have more artistic freedom in the coverup artwork. Overall, the removal process can take anywhere from 8 to 60 weeks depending on your desired results.

How much does it cost to have a tattoo removed?

The cost of laser tattoo removal is completely dependent on the size of the work you wish to remove and how many sessions are required to achieved your desired results. The starting price per session is typically $65 for a 2cm squared tattoo and can vary anywhere up to $600 per session for an A4 sized tattoos. For a tattoo larger than A4 to be removed, you will need to arrange a consultation with your technician to get a custom quote.

All in all, does laser tattoo removal hurt? Yes. Note that the majority of people who get laser tattoo removal done do not regret it and will say that the pain was worth the out come. It is ultimately up to you to decide whether the pain is worth it, much like you decided when you originally got the tattoo. Don’t forget that your technician will do everything in their power to make sure you have the most pleasant experience possible, so let them know when your in discomfort!

It is time to address the elephant in the room, does tattoo removal hurt?

Everyone has a different tolerance to pain but let us not beat around the bush. The harsh reality of the matter is tattoo removal can be painful to even those with the highest threshold. Most people describe the feeling as being flicked with a burning hot rubber band, which does not sound appealing, but then neither is donning that tattoo you have been regretting.

The good news is the process is generally very fast and many clients will return to work the same day as their treatment, so long as it does not pose a risk in terms of aftercare. We all know pain is gain, so let us strip you of your ex-girlfriend’s name!

The Pain Factor

At tattoo removal Sydney we understand all the nerves and concerns that customers have when considering laser tattoo removal. Making sure our clients are as comfortable as possible during the treatment is paramount to our team. We ensure you feel completely at ease and that any queries or concerns will be covered during the consultation process.

To help subside pain during treatment, there are several things we can do which are included in the treatment package.

Numbing Cream

Numbing creams are a very effective way to help ease any pain and discomfort associated with Tattoo Removal. We advise that you come in 30 minutes prior to treatment. Our team will apply a topical anaesthetic cream which is a numbing agent to assist in lowering the pain experienced during the tattoo removal.

Cooling Technology

A great deal of the pain experienced throughout this treatment is caused by the lasers continuous light energy exposure creating a hot sensation on the skin. To help control heat pain and avoid thermal damage, we cool the skin at -35 degrees simultaneously with the ink removal.

This is one of the most effective ways to minimise pain. Our KOOLO skin cooling technology can cool the skin before, during and after treatment without interfering with the power of the laser beam. The cool air is harmless to the skin but lessens the intensity of the laser over your tattoo

Over-The-Counter Pain Relief

Although we have numbing agents and technology available, you may wish to consider an over the counter pain relief such as Ibuprofen. Taken approximately 30 to 45 minutes prior to your treatment it can assist in calming your actual nerve endings, making the sensation from the laser less intense.

Gel Ice Packs

As a standard process, Sydney Tattoo Removal will provide Gel Ice Packs for the area before and after treatment. The Gel Packs will not be available to use during treatment, but upon completion part of your post-session care, apply one for 5-10 minutes over the bandaged area for relief. Gel and Ice packs work to reduce swelling in inflammation and can be used at home to help after treatment.

The Green Whistle

Those who have experienced the Green Whistle will know that any pain or discomfort will simply disappear. For large areas, our Dr can supply the Green Whistle to selected candidates which will completely block out any pain or discomfort associated with your treatment (or anything else for that matter).

Penthrox is a self-administered, rapid acting analgesic agent for short-term pain relief. The Penthrox inhaler is a green whistle shaped single use device that delivers methoxyflurane in analgesic doses. Clients can assess their own level of pain and titrate the amount of Penthrox inhaled for adequate pain control.

Trade Secrets

As the client there are a few things you can do in the lead up to your tattoo removal session to ensure minimal discomfort during your treatment. First of all, know what you’re signing up for! Understanding the process prior to the session will increase the likelihood of your comfortability during the procedure.

Whilst drinking lots of water is essential in day to day life, it’s especially beneficial to come to your appointment hydrated! Consuming water can avoid headaches, whilst also proven to assist your body in the process of breaking up tattoo ink particles. Keeping up your water intake post treatment will also assist this natural process.

Here is an easy one, come with your stomach full! Just as you need to have a feed before a tattoo, coming to your removal treatment well fed will stabilise your blood sugar level. Having a meal prior to your treatment will lower the risk of light-headedness.

Avoid soaking up the Sun before or after your laser treatment. Absorbing UV rays increases skin sensitivity, which can attribute to tattoo removal pain. Similarly, Sun exposure shortly after your session can lead to burning pain and scarring on the treated area.

Speak up! The tattoo removal Team wants to ensure they provide the best experience possible for the client, so there is no shame in asking for a breather. Every client’s pain tolerance is different; communicate throughout your treatment! Also remember that tattoos on sensitive skin such as the inner thigh or over the ribs will be more painful to remove than a tattoo on your arm or bottom.

A Clean Slate

at Just as when you got your first tattoo you will know, if you want it, it is worth the discomfort.  So, if you’ve been thinking of ridding your body of that matching tattoo from your teens or some regrettable botched ink, visit us at Sydney Tattoo Removal and allow our team to get you back that blank canvas you once had.