Advanced ENT and Facial Plastic Surgery

What Are the Easiest Tattoos to Remove?

Sep 18, 2020 @ 08:05 AM — by Dr. William Cohen
Tagged with: Laser Tattoo Removal

Over time, patients might come to find their tattoo regrettable and want to remove it from their body. While laser tattoo removal is an effective procedure, it might not be suitable for all types of tattoos. To find out if the procedure is right for them, patients need to visit Dr. William Cohen, serving patients from Placentia, CA, Orange, CA, and surrounding areas to find out what are the easiest tattoos to remove.

During a consultation, Dr. Cohen examines your tattoo to determine how effective laser removal will be. We can discuss what you want to achieve and personalize a treatment plan. Patients can receive the laser procedure right in-office with our cutting-edge technology.

Why Do Patients Want to Remove Tattoos?

While many individuals choose tattoos for personal reasons, as time goes on, they may not like the appearance of their ink. As patients age, the tattoo can look different as the skin stretches and sags. Wrinkled skin can cause tattoos to look blurred. In some cases, the ink might lose pigmentation and look faded, worn, or dull.

For some patients, they decide that the tattoo no longer fits their lifestyle. It can be in a noticeable place that causes them to lose job opportunities. For those who have gotten a loved one’s name tattooed on them, the love might have faded just like the tattoo, and they want it removed. Regardless of why you want a tattoo removed, patients can visit our Placentia or Orange office for more information.

What Are the Easiest Tattoos to Remove?

The color of the ink affects how easy it is to remove a tattoo. We take into account the color of your tattoo to provide you with realistic goals. Typically, black, green, and blue are the easiest tattoo pigments to remove. On the other hand, whites, reds, yellows, and oranges are more difficult. Though it’s not impossible, it can take longer and more sessions to erase these tattoos.

The age of your tattoo is another factor to consider. Since older tattoos are likely to have faded more, they are easier, and it takes less time to remove them compared to newer tattoos. Patients should also note that larger tattoos will not be as easy to remove as opposed to smaller ones.

Dr. Cohen informs patients that tattoos are quicker to remove from patients with fairer skin. Since lighter skin does not absorb as much light from the laser, the energy is more concentrated on removing color from the tattoo. Darker skin absorbs more of the laser, so fewer wavelengths are targeting the tattoo’s pigment.

Additionally, the location of your tattoo plays a role in how easy it is to remove the ink. Chest and back tats require less treatment since the vascular supply is more plentiful, allowing the skin to heal faster.

What Is Involved in the Laser Tattoo Removal Procedure?

Dr. Cohen uses the Picosure laser, which is more powerful, to make sessions shorter and more comfortable. To begin, our team cleanses and disinfects the treatment area. The doctor places the laser over the tattoo, which releases short wavelengths of light to break up the pigment into smaller parts. The body absorbs these parts, and then naturally eliminates them. Patients typically need multiple sessions before the tattoo is fully removed.

What Happens after Tattoo Removal?

Patients might experience some redness in the treatment area. Some individuals could feel slight discomfort or warmness from the laser. There should be no downtime for most patients, and they should be able to return to their normal activities. Your doctor will provide specific instructions on aftercare.

Schedule an Exam

To remove any unwanted tattoos, please contact our office to schedule a consultation. Give our office a call at (714) 628-1313 to find out if laser tattoo removal is right for you.