Whether the tattoo you want to remove was a spontaneous decision you regret or a design that simply doesn’t reflect who you are anymore, laser tattoo removal offers a safe and effective way to start fresh. At Inklifters, we’re often asked: Does it make a difference if my tattoo is brand new or several years old?
The short answer is yes! Age can impact the tattoo removal process, but not always in the way you’d expect.
How Old Tattoos Respond to Removal
If your tattoo is years, or even decades old, your body has already been breaking down the ink particles. Over time, your immune system slowly clears ink particles from tattoos and external factors like sun exposure can also cause fading. Here’s what that means:
- Older tattoos are often easier to treat: Because some of the ink has already been broken down naturally, lasers don’t have to work as hard. This can mean fewer total laser tattoo removal sessions for older tattoos compared to a brand-new tattoo.
- The ink may be unevenly faded: While overall fading helps, it’s not always consistent. Older tattoos sometimes look patchy, which can make the removal process a little less predictable.
- Certain inks become stubborn: Some pigments, especially greens, blues, or yellows, may remain even after years. These colors can require more treatments of laser tattoo removal regardless of how old your tattoo is.
Have an old tattoo you want to remove? Book a complimentary consultation with one of our expert Laser Technicians!
How New Tattoos Respond to Removal
If your tattoo is relatively new (within the past year), the ink is still dense, bright, and firmly settled into the skin. Here’s what that means for removal:
- The ink is highly concentrated: Because the tattoo pigment is fresh and tightly packed, your body hasn’t yet started breaking it down. Lasers must do all the heavy lifting, which can sometimes require more laser tattoo removal sessions.
- Results can still be excellent: Once healing time has passed, newer tattoos often respond predictably to treatment because the ink hasn’t blurred or migrated in the skin.
It’s important to note that we cannot remove fresh, new tattoos at Aesthetica. Clients must wait at least 6 months after getting a tattoo before starting removal. Treating too soon can cause unnecessary trauma, slow healing, or even cause scarring on the treated area.
Other Factors That Matter Just as Much
While tattoo age plays a role, it’s not the only factor in your removal journey. Other things that can affect your tattoo removal process include:
- Ink color: Black and darker pigments usually respond the fastest. Bright colors, like blues and greens, may take longer. Yellow and white are not possible to treat with the PicoSecond Technology.
- Tattoo depth: Professional tattoos often sit deeper in the skin compared to amateur tattoos or microblading, which can mean more sessions for full removal. Professional tattoos typically take 6+ sessions to remove whereas microblading can take as little as 2-5 sessions to remove.
- Tattoo size & location: Tattoos in areas with strong blood flow (like the chest) often fade faster than those in areas with less circulation (like ankles, feet, hands, and fingers).
- Your body’s healing response: A healthy immune system helps flush out the ink particles after each session, so overall health can play a role in tattoo removal.
Our experienced Laser Technicians at Inklifters have successfully treated hundreds of new and old tattoos removals each year. Visit our gallary for new and old tattoo removal before and after photos. The best way to see if you are a candidate for laser tattoo removal is to schedule a complimentary consultation at Inklifters in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Call or text Inklifters at (888) UNDO-INK to schedule your consultation today!
What You Can Expect at Inklifters
At Inklifters, we use advanced laser technology designed to safely and effectively target even the most stubborn ink colors. During your consultation, our team will evaluate your tattoo’s age, color, placement, and size to create a personalized treatment plan for you.
Whether your tattoo is brand new or has been with you for decades, we want to help you achieve clear, confident skin with as little discomfort and downtime as possible.
Ready to begin your tattoo removal journey? Schedule your free consultation at Inklifters today by calling or texting us at (888) UNDO-INK or by clicking the button below!