Laser Tattoo Removal

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.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy

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.

Dermabrasion

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.

Tattoo Removal Cream

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.