Posted on April 9, 2019 by Paul A. Boulos Unwanted tattoos are a nuisance as they often require a lot of time and energy to cover up with concealer or clothing. This usually steers people toward laser tattoo removal research, and eventually toward information on the cost of laser treatments.
Since every individual has a distinct skin type as well as a different kind of tattoo, the number of treatments needed to remove it completely varies from person to person. For this reason, it’s difficult to put a number on the overall price of laser tattoo removal. Here are the factors that can contribute to the cost of your laser tattoo removal treatments.
The Size of the Tattoo
One of the more significant factors that will affect the cost of your laser tattoo removal is its size. Most laser clinic’s charge between $50 and $70 per square inch per treatment and require between six and ten laser sessions, which can give you an idea of what the cost of your tattoo removal will be. However, several other factors can affect the number of treatments you will need, which can increase the price.
The Tattoo’s Quality
A professional tattoo artist will insert the ink deep into the layers of the skin to ensure the colors remain vibrant and the design stays sharp. Additionally, an expert will likely use high-quality inks. These factors make it more difficult for the laser to break up the ink so that the body can eliminate it naturally through the waste system. A tattoo that was done by someone with less experience can be removed much faster, as those who are new to the trade are more likely to use cheap ink and inject it into the surface layers of the skin.
The Tattoo’s Color
Usually, black inks are the easiest to remove. However, a professional tattoo artist will likely mix black ink with purples or blues to give it an undertone, which makes it more difficult to break down. Additionally, different wavelengths are required to target the various hues that can be found in any tattoo. For this reason, a design full of color will often take more time to eliminate than one that is all black or in the same color family.
The Tattoo’s Location
Since laser tattoo removal uses the body’s natural waste removal system to get rid of the broken up ink particles, where your tattoo is on the body can impact the process. Before the ink is eliminated through sweat, urine, or fecal matter, it’s carried through the bloodstream. The closer an unwanted tattoo is to the heart, the faster the removal process will be. This factor can sometimes result in needing fewer treatments so those seeking laser tattoo removal in this area can save some money in the long run.
Your Health
The tattoo removal process relies heavily on the body’s immune system. It has been found that those who smoke or take certain medications require more laser treatments than others. This can also be affected by a person’s age, physical activity level, and overall health.
The Age of the Tattoo
If you just got a new tattoo and instantly regretted it, you can expect to need a higher number of laser treatments to get rid of it. An older tattoo has been slowly chipped away by your immune system, likely fading the ink as a result. This makes the laser removal process more manageable, as the body has already started the work. A laser simply speeds up the process and moves things along.
Your Skin Type
Both skin color and sensitivity level can affect the number of laser treatments that are needed, adding to the overall cost of elimination. Those with fair skin tend to react best to lasers, but there is laser technology that can remove a tattoo from even the darkest skin. Using different wavelengths might extend the process, but it will ensure the skin’s surface doesn’t experience any hyperpigmentation. The same goes for sensitive skin, as your licensed medical laser technician will do their best to prevent blistering and scarring. This might mean they have to treat you with a laser at a lower frequency, which can require more treatments to complete the tattoo removal process.
Finding Out the Cost
The best way to find out how much it will cost to remove your unwanted tattoo is to schedule an appointment at a laser clinic for a free consultation. Here they will not only measure the size of your tattoo but will also be able to look at your medical history as well as your skin in order to come up with the best tattoo removal plan for you. They should be able to give you the price per laser treatment as well as an estimate for the number of sessions you will need to achieve complete removal.
The best way to save money on your laser treatments is to buy them in bulk. Most laser clinics offer packages that significantly reduce the overall cost of tattoo removal, and can help anyone who is looking to save some money. However, when it comes down to it, getting rid of your unwanted ink with laser tattoo removal is priceless.
Learn more about how laser tattoo removal pricing works in this video:
