If you’ve been thinking about removing a tattoo, summer can be a great time to get started, even though it might seem counterintuitive. Laser tattoo removal is a gradual process that takes multiple sessions spread out over several months, which means starting now can put you on track to see significant fading, or even complete removal, before next year’s beach season rolls around. Here’s what to expect for your laser tattoo removal timeline at Simply Smooth Laser Center.
How Laser Tattoo Removal Works
At Simply Smooth, we use the Candela PicoWay, an advanced laser technology designed to break down tattoo ink particles in the skin. Once the ink is broken into smaller particles, your body’s natural processes gradually clear the fragments away over the weeks following each session. This is why tattoo removal isn’t a one-time treatment, as it relies on your body’s own healing and clearance process between sessions.
How Many Sessions Will You Need?
The number of sessions needed varies widely depending on several factors, including the size of the tattoo, the colors used, how deep the ink was applied and your skin type. Smaller, simpler tattoos with darker ink tend to respond more quickly, sometimes in as few as 4 to 6 sessions, while larger, more colorful or older tattoos may require 8, 10 or more sessions for significant fading or complete removal.
Why Spacing Between Sessions Matters
Each session needs time to work before the next one begins. Treating too frequently doesn’t speed up the process and can increase the risk of side effects. Our experienced providers recommend spacing sessions 6 to 8 weeks apart, which means a treatment plan involving 6 to 8 sessions could realistically take a year or longer from start to finish.
Why Starting in Summer Makes Sense
If your goal is to have a tattoo significantly faded or removed before next summer’s beach season, starting your treatment plan now allows enough time to space out sessions properly. Waiting until next spring to begin means you’ll likely still be in the middle of treatment when beach season arrives again.
What to Expect During Treatment
Most of our Tampa laser tattoo removal patients describe the sensation during treatment as similar to a rubber band snapping against the skin. However, topical numbing cream can help to ensure your comfort throughout your procedure.
After each session, the treated area may appear red, swollen or blistered for a few days as part of the normal healing process. Following aftercare instructions, including keeping the area clean and protected from the sun, helps to support healing between sessions.
Is Tattoo Removal Right for You?
Whether you’re looking to fully remove a tattoo or simply fade it to prepare for a cover-up, a consultation with our laser specialists can help set realistic expectations for your specific tattoo and skin type.
If you’ve been considering tattoo removal, now is the perfect time to start your treatment plan. Contact us online or call Simply Smooth Laser Center in Tampa, FL at 813-877-8067 to schedule your consultation today.
Author: Caroll Delo, CCE, CME
Lead aesthetician and co-owner of Simply Smooth, Caroll Delo has over a decade of experience in cosmetic surgery, laser treatments, and medical grade skincare services. Her vast knowledge in cosmetic medicine helps make sure that every man and woman who enters our doors receives top-quality care and expertise.