How Many Sessions Will It Take to Remove My Tattoo?
Wondering how many sessions it will take to remove your tattoo? It’s the most common question we get, and we know you’re eager to find out! Whether your tattoo’s from a wild past or just doesn’t match your vibe anymore, the number of sessions depends on a few factors. But don’t worry—we’ll break it down for you, so you’ll know exactly what to expect!
Factors Affecting the Number of Sessions Needed
Skin type – Lighter skin tones typically respond faster to laser treatment than darker skin tones, which require more conservative settings to avoid pigmentation issues.
Tattoo location – Tattoos closer to the heart (e.g., on the chest) tend to fade faster due to better circulation, while tattoos on extremities (e.g., fingers, ankles) may take longer.
Ink colours – Black ink is the easiest to remove, while bright colours like blue, green, and yellow require more sessions.
Ink density and layering – Heavily saturated or layered tattoos (cover-ups) need more treatments compared to lightly inked designs.
Scarring or tissue changes – Pre-existing scarring or raised tattoos can impact removal effectiveness.
Patient health and lifestyle – Factors like hydration, immune system efficiency, and smoking status can affect how quickly your body clears the ink particles.
Average Number of Sessions
On average, most tattoos require between 6 to 12 sessions for complete removal. However, some tattoos may need fewer treatments, while others, especially multicoloured or newer tattoos, could take 15+ sessions. Sessions are typically spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart to allow your body to process and flush out the broken-down ink particles.
Factors That Can Reduce Treatment Time
Want to speed up the tattoo removal process? Here are some ways to optimize results:
Stay hydrated to support your lymphatic system.
Avoid smoking, as it slows down ink elimination.
Exercise regularly to boost circulation and immune response.
Follow aftercare instructions to prevent infection and scarring.
Find Out How Many Sessions You May Need!
The Kirby-Desai Scale is a widely used tool that helps estimate the number of laser removal sessions needed based on specific tattoo characteristics. Numerical values are assigned to six parameters: skin type, location, colour, amount of ink, scarring or tissue change, and layering. Parameter scores are then added to yield a combined score that will show the estimated number of treatments needed for successful tattoo removal.
While the Kirby-Desai Scale has been a useful guide, it's important to remember that it is an older tool and may not accurately reflect the capabilities of modern laser technology. New advancements in laser systems mean that tattoo removal is often faster and more efficient than what the scale originally estimated. That said, the scale can still provide a rough estimate, give or take two sessions, but should not be relied upon as an exact predictor.
Check out the Kirby-Desai scale.
Book a Consultation
The best way to get an accurate estimate is to book a consultation at Cleanskins Studio. Our expert team will assess your tattoo, discuss your goals, and create a customised removal plan for you.
Ready to start your tattoo removal journey? Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
