How Soon Can I Get Rid of a Tattoo?

For more than 10,000 years, humans have been decorating their skin with tattoos. Far more recently, you decided that a tattoo would be a good idea and you took the plunge. Not long after, you regretted the decision, and now you’d like the tattoo(s) cleared away.

About 32% of Americans have a tattoo, and while millions are pleased with their ink, about 24% of people with tattoos regret getting one or more of their works of body art.

Unlike 10,000 years ago, we’re well equipped to handle tattoo regret. Whether you want an old tattoo removed or a more recent one, Dr. Bruce Saal and our team here at Los Gatos Dermatology offer state-of-the-art laser tattoo removal services. 

Here’s a quick look at how we can turn back the clock on unwanted tattoos.

Modern tattoo removal with lasers

Just a few decades ago, tattoo regret was a more involved and uncomfortable process, as the procedure typically involved surgical excision.

Today, we turn to more modern methods, including laser therapy. These laser systems work by delivering short and intense pulses of light into your skin, where your pigment absorbs the energy as heat.

These laser pulses can break down the ink particles in your skin, creating tiny fragments that your immune system flushes out through natural processes.

At our practice, we offer two different tattoo removal laser technologies — PicoSure® and TattooStar® — so we have the right equipment to cover all of the tattoo removal needs of our patients.

New tattoos versus older tattoos

Let’s get to our topic of discussion — how soon you can remove a tattoo. Laser technologies work very well to remove tattoos, but there can be different challenges, especially when it comes to the age of the tattoo.

When you first get a tattoo, the ink is strong and involves far more skin cells. Over time, your skin naturally sheds some of the cells, especially as your immune system launches a counterattack to what it perceives as a threat (sticking tattoo needles into your skin is an attack, if you think about it).

That’s why tattoos commonly fade over time, which makes them a little easier to remove from our standpoint.

That said, we can remove newer tattoos, but you’re going to have to be more patient, as it may require more tattoo removal sessions than an older tattoo. Still, we can usually get the job done.

Your tattoo removal journey is also influenced by tattoo colors. Blacks and darker colors absorb the laser energy better than greens and blues, so this consideration is worth plugging into the equation.

For a better idea about your tattoo removal journey and options, we recommend that you make an appointment to come in and sit down with us so that we can see the tattoo in person. 

To get that ball rolling, please contact our office in Los Gatos, California, today to set up an appointment.