How Much does Laser Tattoo Removal Cost?

As the prevalence of body art continues to grow, so does another trend known as tattoo regret. There may be many reasons why the tat that looked so good just a few short years ago is no longer a desirable feature. Perhaps the ink is no longer relevant to your life or your employer doesn’t allow tats.

For instance, you might be thinking of joining a branch of the military, which has strict rules about the content, placement and size of body art. New guidelines by all branches continue to prohibit offensive content and tattoos on the head, neck and hands. Some branches also do not allow any type of sleeves, leading many interested in military service in search of ways to get rid of their ink for good.

No matter what your reason for wanting to bid your ink farewell, the good news is tattoo removal is quicker, more comfortable and more efficient than ever before. But what about the cost? The price to get rid of that tat will likely depend on a variety of factors.

How Tattoo Removal Works

Laser tattoo removal is the most efficient way to get rid of unwanted body ink today. This process delivers pulses of laser energy directly into the tattoo, targeting the ink to eliminate it from the skin. This method is highly preferable compared to more invasive procedures like dermabrasion or surgical excision, and can provide results after multiple treatment sessions. The treatment is performed in our office at the Vein Care Center, and topical numbing cream or local anesthetic keeps the procedure comfortable throughout. Most patients usually don’t require any recovery time afterward, so they can begin the process of eliminating unwanted ink without significant disruption to their daily life.

Factors to Consider

The cost of laser tattoo removal is a concern for most patients beginning this process. The final price tag will depend on different variables, including the following:

Size

It makes sense that the larger the design, the longer the treatment and the more expensive removal will be. Most providers will initially estimate the cost of the process by the size of the tattoo alone. However, other factors will make a difference in how much it will cost to reach your aesthetic goals.

Ink

There are different characteristics of the ink that can play a significant role in how many treatments you will need to remove your tattoo to your satisfaction:

• Color – Black ink is the easiest to remove, while blues and greens tend to be the most challenging. That doesn’t mean you can’t eliminate your more colorful tattoo; just that it might take more treatment sessions to achieve satisfying results. The more treatment sessions you need, the higher the cost for the process.
• Density – Ink that is more saturated will require more treatment sessions to remove it. That means that the bolder your design, the more expensive your tattoo removal process might be. Greater saturation means we need to treat the image gently and apply conservative energy over more sessions to achieve the best possible results.
• Age of the Tattoo – In many cases, older tattoos are easier to remove than newer ink. The ease of removal can primarily be attributed to the fact that the body breaks down tattoo ink over time, leaving less for the procedure to address. Newer tattoos also tend to use a broader variety of ink colors, and they are typically more vibrant, making them more challenging to eliminate.

Technology Used

The technology used for tattoo removal is improving all the time, which means newer devices are usually more efficient and can produce desired results in fewer treatment sessions. At the Vein Care Center, we offer state-of-the-art laser tattoo removal using the advanced Cutera Enlighten laser. This device combines picosecond and nanosecond technology, which shatter the ink particles into tiny pieces that can be easily absorbed by the body. With three different wavelengths available, our device can also target a broader assortment of ink colors including the more stubborn shades of green and blue.

When it comes to the cost of laser tattoo removal, the bottom line comes down to the number of treatment sessions you might need to achieve your desired results. By offering one of the most advanced laser systems available today, coupled with the extensive experience and expertise of Dr. Manu Aggarwal, you can rest assured your tattoo removal will be as quick and efficient as possible. To learn more about our tattoo removal methods and pricing, contact the Vein Care Center today at 419-227-4472.