How Long Does a Laser Tattoo Removal Session Last?
A tattoo can be a great way to express yourself—but in some cases, it can be a huge, permanent mistake. For example, an ex’s name or an alcohol-inspired decision probably isn’t something you want on your body forever. The good news is that there are plenty of dermatologists who specialize in laser tattoo removal in NYC that can help you almost completely remove the offending body art.
When you were getting inked, you had to sit still for hours and hours under a painful needle. Naturally, this causes many people to worry that removing one takes just as long, if not longer. But how long does it really take? Does tattoo removal hurt? And what’s the best place for laser tattoo removal in NYC?
New Technology, Faster Tattoo Removal in NYC
If you believe that laser tattoo removal is a long, difficult, and often ineffective process, you’d be right—if you were talking about older methods such as the Q-Switch laser. Today, new picosecond technology, which delivers incredibly fast pulses of heat energy to break up ink particles, has made the process easier than ever before.
A peer-reviewed study published by the American Medical Association found that picosecond lasers were less painful, worked faster, and were more successful at removing ink than any other laser treatment.
How Long is a Laser Tattoo Removal Session?
With PicoSure tattoo removal in NYC, the process is incredibly quick, with the average session taking only about 10 or 20 minutes. The exact length of your laser tattoo removal session will depend on several different factors, including size, color, and location on the body.
- Size: The bigger it is, the longer it’s going to take to remove it. The 10-minute average is based on an area the size of a playing card. Larger areas can take 20 to 30 minutes to treat.
- Color: The most common ink colors, black and grey, are the easiest to remove, followed by dark blues and greens. Red, white, and other bright pigments are generally the most
challenging, and may require longer sessions. - Location: Tattoo laser removal can be done on any part of the body, but sensitive areas (such as the hands, feet, and neck) will require a more careful approach to minimize potential discomfort.
Your dermatologist in NYC will be able to give you the most accurate estimate of how long your session will last and how many sessions you’ll need to achieve the result that you want.
How Many Sessions You’ll Need
Just like the length of a single session, the number of sessions you’ll need to remove a tattoo will depend on its complexity. On average, most people see 80% skin clearance in 4 to 7 treatment sessions, each about five or six weeks apart. But if you’re seeking out laser tattoo removal in NYC just to lighten the area so that it can be covered by a new one, you’ll likely only need 1 or 2 sessions. It’s far less expensive to have something lightened and covered up than to have it removed completely.
So while the sessions themselves are short, you will have to return for multiple sessions over several months to completely remove the ink from your skin. PicoSure laser tattoo removal works by breaking down ink particles so that they can be safely absorbed by the body. Because this absorption process typically takes between 4 and 8 weeks, you can’t have the procedure done all at once. If you don’t give your skin enough time to heal between sessions, you could end up with scarring.
Is Laser Tattoo Removal Painful?
Laser tattoo removal pain is often compared to the pain from a tattoo machine. But while the feeling is similar, the 10-minute procedure is nothing compared to a 5-hour inking session. To make things even easier, your dermatologist in NYC can offer you numbing agents to offset any discomfort.
After a removal session, your skin may feel dry or appear red for a short amount of time, but your doctor will recommend an aftercare routine to keep the area moisturized. Unlike some other removal methods, PicoSure laser removal doesn’t leave any scarring behind when done correctly.
The Best PicoSure Tattoo Removal in NYC
There was a time when permanent tattoo removal was a lengthy, nearly impossible process. But with PicoSure laser technology, it’s never been easier to erase unwanted ink, and the procedure only takes minutes out of the day, not hours. If you’re looking for the best PicoSure tattoo removal in NYC, contact the specialists at the Dermatology and Laser Group. To book an appointment, call us today at (212) 444-8204.
Arash Akhavan, MD is founder and owner of The Dermatology and Laser Group, one of the top centers for cosmetic procedures in New York City for over a decade. Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD is a Board Certified Dermatologist and an Associate Professor at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Akhavan is a Castle Connolly Top Doc, New York Magazine Best Doctor, and Super Doctor featured in The New York Times. Dr. Akhavan is a key opinion leader that has been featured on hundreds of media publications including The New York Times, Allure, Marie Claire, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, ABC News, Fox News, Fox 5, NY1, WPIX, and more. He has been featured on nationally syndicated television programs such as The Doctors.
Dr. Akhavan serves as an educator and lecturer for multiple aesthetic device and injectable companies. This allows his office access to newer technologies at an earlier date than other offices, as well as a higher level of expertise in the use of these devices. This, in turn, translates to more effective and safer treatments for our patients.
