Are you regretting your ink? Or maybe you want to change your design for something better? If so, you’re probably wondering—how much does laser tattoo removal cost?
The short answer? It costs more than getting the tattoo in the first place! That’s because removing a tattoo requires multiple sessions spread over months or even years.
How Much Does Laser Tattoo Removal Cost?
The price of laser tattoo removal depends primarily on the size of the tattoo, as this determines the length of each session. Here’s a general price guide for Q-switched laser treatments:
- Very small tattoos (1-2 inches, like the size of a golf ball) – £50-£70 per session.
- Small tattoos (3 inches, about the size of a tennis ball) – £70-£90 per session, depending on your location.
- Medium tattoos (approximately two tennis balls in size) – £90-£100 per session.
- Half-sleeve tattoos – £150-£200 per session.
If your tattoo was professionally done, expect multiple sessions. While some tattoos can fade after five sessions, others may require ten or more.
For example, if your tattoo costs £70 per session and you need seven sessions: £70 x 7 = £490
You’ll also need to allow around six weeks between each session for the best results.
How Many Sessions Will You Need?
Several factors influence the number of treatments required. Here’s a quick explanation of how the process works so you can understand why.
The laser shatters ink particles in your skin layer by layer. After each session, your immune system works to remove these ink particles from your body, mainly through urine. Since your body’s natural processes play a big role, the number of sessions needed can vary.
Factors That Affect the Number of Sessions:
- Ink Density & Depth – More ink means more treatments.
- Your Health – A strong immune system speeds up the process.
- Lifestyle Habits – Smoking, drinking, and drug use slow down removal.
- Tattoo Age – Older tattoos tend to fade more quickly.
- Tattoo Location – Tattoos closer to the heart fade faster than those on extremities (e.g., an ankle tattoo takes longer to remove than a shoulder tattoo).
- Session Frequency – Longer gaps (10+ weeks) between sessions may reduce the total number of treatments needed.
- Professional vs. Amateur Tattoos – Amateur tattoos may take as little as 2-3 sessions, while professional tattoos require more due to the ink’s depth and quality.
- Laser Type – High-quality lasers remove ink faster. For example, a passive Q-switched laser may take 6-8 sessions to achieve a 50% fade, while an active Q-switched laser could do the same in 4-5 sessions.
How Can You Estimate the Total Cost?
A reputable laser clinic should provide a rough estimate based on experience. However, predicting the exact number of sessions needed is difficult.
Tips for Choosing a Laser Clinic:
- Ask to see before and after photos from previous clients.
- Inquire about session estimates based on similar tattoos.
- Check if they offer discounts for multiple sessions (e.g., “Buy 4 sessions, get the 5th free” – a 20% saving).
How to Speed Up the Process & Save Money
If you want to reduce the number of sessions (and cut costs), here are a few things that help:
- Massage the area daily after it has healed. This boosts circulation and helps your body remove the ink more effectively.
- Stay hydrated – drinking lots of water helps flush out broken-down ink particles.
- Exercise regularly – increased blood flow speeds up removal.
- Quit smoking – smoking slows down your immune system and can significantly increase the number of sessions needed.
- Extend the time between sessions – waiting 10+ weeks between treatments allows your body more time to process and remove ink, potentially reducing the number of sessions required.
Now you know that the question, “How much does laser tattoo removal cost?” isn’t as simple as it seems. However, with the information above, you should have a better idea of what to expect for your tattoo.
Have More Questions?
If you need more advice on laser tattoo removal, feel free to email me at rach@radiantliving.co.uk.
Or visit our laser tattoo removal page here for more details!
