One of the most common questions that we hear at our Alexandria Virginia Tattoo Removal Clinic is how long the session will take. Tattoo removal can take just a few minutes, or it can take an hour or longer. Here are four factors that determine the length of your tattoo removal session:
Size of Your Tattoo
Larger tattoos require much more time to remove than smaller tattoos. There’s more ink to remove, and it takes longer to clean the tattoo before the removal and to apply the dressing when the treatment is over.
For an extra small tattoo, which is less than 2.5 square centimeters, you should expect the removal to only take about two minutes. For a small tattoo, which is about 5 square centimeters, the removal will probably take about five minutes. For a medium tattoo of 10 square centimeters, expect the session to last 10 to 15 minutes. Larger tattoos can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour or slightly longer.
Large tattoos sometimes need to be removed over multiple treatments. The removal process can be uncomfortable, and swelling is very common. It can be difficult to follow the proper aftercare instructions when a large tattoo is removed all at once, so you should expect to split the removal up into a few treatments.
Type of Tattoo
The type or style of tattoo can also affect the length of the removal. Dark tattoos tend to absorb more heat, which causes extra swelling and blistering. These types of tattoos usually take longer to heal after removal, so you may have to have multiple treatments.
Lighter tattoos are typically easier to remove and are less likely to cause a serious reaction. If your tattoo is mostly lighter shades, the removal should be quicker and easier.
Location of Tattoo
Some areas of the body are more sensitive than others, so the location of the tattoo is an important factor in the length of the removal process. If your tattoo is in a sensitive area, it may be too painful to remove all at once. You may need extra time or multiple sessions to complete the treatment.
Color of Tattoo
During laser tattoo removal, different wavelengths are required to treat different colors. If your tattoo contains many colors, the tattoo artist will have to frequently change settings, which will add time to the session.
Visit Vanish Laser Tattoo Removal Clinic today and let us help you remove your unwanted tattoo.