How Much Does Tattoo Removal Cost on Average?

Tired of looking at that old, misspelled, or poorly aged tattoo on your body? Tattoos are forever. That is unless you decide to get them removed.

Getting a tattoo removed is an option, especially if you dislike the tattoo and want a fresh start. However, like getting a quality tattoo, getting one removed doesn’t come cheap. The tattoo removal cost will vary based on several factors, so you’ll need to consider those before you guess an overall cost. 

Where You Go

There are obviously going to be cost differences for tattoo removal depending on where you go for the process. Private tattoo removal clinics and tattoo shops that offer tattoo removal typically top out at $500 per session, but it will depend on the place and the expertise of who is performing the procedure.

You can also go to a plastic surgeon or dermatologist, and this could go up to $1000 depending on other factors. Next in price would be medical spas, which can go from $100 to $700. These can be preferred places to go since they have a good atmosphere and medical professionals working on the removal.

Depending on the removal process you choose, you will likely need or want a medical professional. Even for laser tattoo removal, it can be good to have someone who is able to numb the area and know how to treat any possible medical risks that may come up throughout the procedure. 

Size 

The size of your tattoo plays a big role in how much removal will cost. It’s not hard to assume that the larger the tattoo, the more sessions, and money it will take to fully remove it. The cost is measured by the square inch of coverage, so your tattoo may be large but not use a lot of ink, and that will be cheaper to remove than a tattoo that uses a lot of ink in the same amount of space.

Quality and Color

If a tattoo is very heavily done with a lot of shading and ink on top of the ink, it will take a while to remove. You might assume that darker ink luke black will be harder to remove, but it is actually one of the easiest. Colors are much trickier, especially greens and blue if you go with laser removal. The laser does not work as well on those wavelengths of color, so it is a significant factor. 

The Technician

A tattoo removal technician needs to receive proper training and certification before working. And a very experienced technician may have more clients and a steadier income so they can charge more for their expertise. You want to make sure you work with someone you like, but money can be an obstacle, so talk with the facility you go to about costs. 

Location and Age

Older tattoos are easier to remove than fresh tattoos. So if you only recently got a tattoo you regret, it will be a longer process. And the location also makes a difference.

If you go with laser removal, it relies in part on blood cells carrying away the ink. This means that locations with lower circulation may need more sessions to fully remove the tattoo. Spots like hands and ears could take more time than stomach or thigh. 

Removal Process

You might assume that getting a tattoo removed is only possible through laser tattoo removal, but there are other techniques that can remove your tattoo. Laser removal is one of the most popular and well-known methods. It generally costs between $200 and $1000 per session. It isn’t incredibly fast but is very cheap and overall one of the best choices.

Dermabrasion, and chemical removal which is a type of dermabrasion, is a cheaper option from $100 to $350. However, it isn’t the most reliable and can be very painful.  

 Surgical Excision is the most expensive option, from $1000 to even $10000, and involves removing the skin from under a tattoo. It can also require a skin graft from another area, and will leave scars. 

While tattoo removal prices vary for each one, laser tattoo removal is the least invasive and still very effective. The price can add up over several sessions, but you will end up with good results for less hassle and pain.

Assessment Score

Tattoos are judged on several levels for how easy they will be to remove, and this can impact your cost or amount of sessions necessary. This is called the Kirby-Desai Scale. The factors used to determine the overall score are skin type and color, color layers on the tattoo, types of colors used, location, amount of scarring, and amount of ink. 

Each tattoo is different, so giving a perfect estimate for tattoo removal prices is impossible without knowing the details of the individual tattoo. There are resources online that can give you an idea of your number with the information you provide. They won’t be perfect, however, and the best way to get a true idea of the cost or number of sessions is to ask around with people who know how to remove a tattoo. 

Total Tattoo Removal Cost

Overall the tattoo removal cost varies a lot per person and per tattoo. If your skin scars easily or you have a big blue tattoo on your hand, the number of sessions and cost will change. The good news is that you have plenty of options for tattoo removal, and there are safe choices that can allow you to remove the tattoo completely over time.

You may even choose to get the tattoo lightened enough so it can get covered up by a piece you like more. If you want to get a coverup done it’s a good idea to talk to the tattoo artist you want to work with first so you can plan what would work best for that placement as far as removal is concerned. And if you found this helpful in planning how to remove a tattoo from your body, keep reading for more good tips.