The cost of removing your tattoo with this method will depend on several factors:
- Size of the tattoo
- Type of ink(s) used
- Pigment colors (some colors such as turquoise and yellows are particularly difficult to remove).
- Your skin type
- Location – ankle and forearm tattoos normally take the longest
Amount of ink in the tattoo. - Layering
- Your body’s natural healing ability.
- Whether the tattoo is professionally or amateur.
The cost per session can vary widely. Generally speaking most patients require numerous sessions for complete removal, anywhere from 5-10+ sessions. According to InfoPlasticSurgery.com session prices usually range from $200 – $500 usd. They also claim that for some tattoos the removal cost can be as high as $10,000. Normally, the larger the tattoo and more complex it’s colors, the more treatments it will likely require.
Keep in mind that different lasers types target different colors of ink. Just because a clinic has a ‘laser tattoo removal’ service doesn’t mean they have the proper equipment that will get you the best results, although you’ll still pay for the un-guaranteed service.
As an example:
Wavelength: 532 nanometer (good for targeting green)
Wavelength: 585 nm and 650 nm (good for targeting light blue)
Wavelength: 1064 nm (infrared) (good for targeting black and dark blue)
Some patients find laser tattoo removal quite painful and can elect to have a local anesthetic administered. This could cost an extra $50 or more per shot. A doctor may also prescribe an anesthetic cream to be applied after the treatment at home.
IPL is one of the newest methods of dermal enhancement and many believe it offers a superior alternative to lasers and tattoo removal cream. It delivers intense light in shorts bursts at your tattoo. It sends light through a prism that is placed above, or on top of, your skin.
It’s considered very effective but carries a hefty price – many clinics charge per pulse.
Depending on how many pulses per session you require this cost could add up significantly. You may want to ask for a price estimate on your initial visit.
This technique involves the scraping or sanding of skin with a rotary abrasive tool to remove the tattoo. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reports the national average for a microdermabrasion program is approximately $400 while standard dermabrasion averages about $150 per session.
While not cheap (often $60+ for a single month trial kit) they are definitely more affordable than other methods like laser treatment or Intense Pulsed Light Therapy so they may be worth a try. Some claim they can be used effectively prior to laser or IPL to begin the fading process. This may help you avoid unnecessary, costly and painful trips to a clinic for laser treatment. The two tattoo removal cream products that have received the highest ratings on this website are Wrecking Balm and Tat B Gone.
Saline Fading
Tattoos can be faded by “tattooing” a saline solution into the area where the old ink resides. It is not considered a reliable method, and tends to work best on older, already-faded tattoos. Often this method is chosen to fade an existing tattoo further in order to make it easier to cover it up with a new one. It may be difficult find a professional that does the procedure. It costs less than the other options, the difficulty may be finding a tattoo artist that provides the service.
