Posted: Tattoo Removal Cost
Ok, your mind is pretty much made up – the skull and crossbones tattoo you got at a weaker moment in life has got to go and the sooner the better. However, if you’re just starting the process of tattoo removal, you might be a little surprised at how much easier it was to get the tattoo than it will be to get it removed. Several things should be considered before you make your final decision – one of those is the tattoo removal cost. That cost, of course, will be directly related to the method you choose.
Laser Tattoo Removal
Laser tattoo removal is the most effective and thus the most expensive way to get rid of the tattoo you no longer want displayed on your body. Depending on the size of your tattoo you may need anywhere from 2-3 up to 20 sessions, each costing in the range of $150-$850 per session. Laser tattoo removal works by targeting the ink with pulses of highly concentrated light that breaks the ink into tiny fragments, which are then cleared away by your own immune system. The more treatments you have the more the laser can penetrate to destroy the ink.
The color of ink will also play a role in the final cost. Different color families may require different lasers and certain colors like yellow or turquoise are some of the most difficult to remove. A large, colorful tattoo realistically could cost thousands of dollars to remove and the effectiveness of the tattoo removal is not guaranteed.
Another factor that might contribute to the overall tattoo removal cost is the possibility of the need for local anesthetic due to the pain this process can cause. (Some describe it as feeling like they’ve been splattered with hot grease.) An injection of local anesthetic can add $40 – $100 more per visit. A well known laser surgeon was quoted as saying a 1 inch square tattoo, if it could be removed in 9 sessions, would cost approximately $1500; a full sleeve tattoo removal could cost in excess of $10,000.
In case you’re thinking you might like to have your medical insurance pay for the process, let us save you the time of checking into it. There is no medical insurance out there that covers tattoo removal costs. Sorry.
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)
This process, instead of using laser light, uses a high intensity light, much in the same manner. A gel is applied to the skin and a wand is used to emit pulses of light into the skin over the tattoo. It is less painful than laser and more effective, resulting in less treatments but the charge is $10 per pulse, which overall can make it very expensive and cost prohibitive for most people.
Tattoo Removal Creams
These cost significantly less with a variety of results, depending on the individual. There are testimonies ranging from experiencing great results to others that felt that were totally “ripped off”. Two products advertised on the internet claim positive responses from many of their clients. They say several customers experience significant fading of their tattoo over a period of several months without any pain or damage to their skin. These products range in price from $80 – $125 for a 2 month supply and several months are usually required to achieve the desired results so it’s not a cheap way to go but it certainly is less expensive than other options. Our suggestion is to do some good research and review the testimonies before making your final decision.