Why do some tattoos take more sessions to clear?

Jim Trenholm • July 30, 2018

Advanced technology yields faster, better results. However, other factors at play can still impact how many sessions you may need.

Using Syneron Candela’s advanced PicoWay technology , Unthink Inc. can help you achieve complete tattoo clearance in under a year. The average tattoo takes an average of six tattoo removal sessions with our technology, spaced about eight weeks apart. That being said, a number of external factors can increase the number of sessions is necessary. Some of these factors can be controlled by you, the client, and others are largely situational. These include:

1) The Tattoo’s Age

When a tattoo is less than three months old, Unthink Inc. is unable to book your Laser Tattoo Removal sessions. No matter how instantaneous your regret is, the ink needs this initial time to settle into the skin before it can safely be removed. The laser works by targeting ink within the deep dermal layer of skin and if the ink has not yet reached this layer, sessions may be painful and ineffective. Working on a fresh tattoo will create a longer process and require longer recovery in between sessions as blistering and scarring are more common. The area will then need more time to heal in between sessions. To avoid this long process (and unnecessary pain and money) wait for the tattoo to fully set first . Our expert technician and owner, Jim, can help determine the right time to begin your treatment.


Learn About our Laser Tattoo Removal process!


2) The Tattoo’s Size

No matter the size, most tattoos require at least six PicoWay sessions to achieve full clearance. So why does this impact your tattoo removal timeline? In order for large tattoos (6” by 6” or bigger)  to clear efficiently, our expert technician will break up the tattoo into sections to help your body’s lymphatic system better processes the unwanted ink. For example, a full chest tattoo may be split into two sections (right and left).

After 30 days of the left section healing from the initial treatment, the right section will have its first treatment. This doesn’t have to necessarily increase the timeline of your tattoo removal journey however, it will require more commitment by you (the client) to visit Unthink Inc. and stay on track with this schedule; instead of coming in every eight weeks, you will be coming in every four. To get a sense of how long your large tattoo removal will take, book a free consultation with our expert technician Jim.  


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3) The Tattoo’s Location

A common misconception about laser tattoo removal is how the ink is removed. Many who don’t know the process assume the laser absorbs the ink but this simply isn’t true. The laser’s job is to break up the ink particles into tiny pieces so the body is able to remove the unwanted ink through the lymphatic system. Since the lymph nodes are directly tied to the heart, strong blood circulation is important. The closer a tattoo is to the heart, the faster the removal will be due to the stronger blood circulation. For tattoos on phalanges, the process may take longer.

4) Successful Aftercare

Since ink is absorbed through the body’s natural processes, keeping up a healthy lifestyle is imperative to successful aftercare. Unhealthy habits such as smoking, dehydration and slow blood circulation from a lack of physical activity may slow down the aftercare process thus extending the time in between your tattoo removal sessions. For tips on how to keep your tattoo removal journey on track, click here.  


If you have any questions or concerns about how long your tattoo will take to remove, book your no-obligation consultation with Jim today.


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