Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work Better on Old or New Tattoos?

Tattoos are typically a symbol of a good memory, a significant person or place, a bonding experience, or something loved. While most people think of tattoos as a permanent piece of art they love, in some circumstances, a person may want to get rid of a reminder of what is now a bad memory.

At Lynch Vein & Aesthetics, board-certified surgeon Dr. Matthew Lynch can help you if you have a tattoo you no longer want. Utilizing state-of-the-art laser technology, Dr. Lynch and his associates are able to lighten and possibly completely remove unwanted tattoos at his Peoria, AZ facility.

How does laser tattoo removal work?

Laser tattoo removal is the process of passing a laser over the tattoo, which will emit laser light and pulsing energy to break up the ink of the tattoo. At Lynch Vein & Aesthetics, we utilize the Harmony XL PRO for this procedure to give our patients the best results possible.

At the start of the procedure, we will clean and then apply a numbing agent to your treatment area to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. As we pass the device over your tattoo, it will slowly begin to fade the tattoo. This process takes multiple sessions, but for those who want to go through the effort to remove their tattoo, it is typically worth it.

After each session, you can expect to have redness, swelling, and sensitivity over your tattoo and will need to keep it bandaged to protect the skin. We will provide you with detailed care instructions and will schedule return sessions between 4 – 7 weeks apart.

Can you remove my tattoo?

Whether or not we can remove a tattoo depends on a variety of factors. Some of these factors include:

• Skin tone: While not impossible, typically, the darker the skin tone, the longer the removal process. Just how many sessions to remove a tattoo will be estimated at an initial consultation.
• Location: Typically speaking, the closer a tattoo is to the heart, the easier it will be to remove. The more blood flow in an area usually means the tattoo will be easier to remove — the face, neck, and upper and lower back are often the easiest tattoos to remove.
• Size of the tattoo: The bigger the tattoo, the longer it will take to remove.
• Depth of the ink: Some tattoo artists will penetrate into the skin more than others, and in these cases, it can be more difficult to remove the tattoo.
• Overall health: If you have a healthy immune system, it will be easier for your body to remove the destroyed ink. In addition, those who are smokers may find tattoo removal more difficult.

Dr. Lynch will discuss all these different factors and more with you during your initial consultation at his Peoria, AZ office to establish a realistic removal plan.

Is it easier to remove a new tattoo?

One of the other main factors in tattoo removal success is the age of the tattoo. Many people may think it is easier to remove a new tattoo; however, the opposite is actually true. Since the tattoo sinks into the skin as it ages, it is actually easier to remove older tattoos than new tattoos. In fact, removing a new tattoo could end up causing scarring or other harm to your skin, which is why we recommend waiting at least six weeks to remove a brand-new tattoo.

If you find yourself in a situation where you have a tattoo you no longer want, you don’t have to accept it as a lost cause. Utilizing the Harmony XL PRO, board-certified surgeon Dr. Matthew Lynch and his team can help you remove your unwanted tattoo at his Peoria, AZ office. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call Lynch Vein & Aesthetics today.