Frequently Asked Questions
How many treatments will I need?
For complete removal, most people will need upwards of 8 treatments. For fading or lightening to prepare for a cover-up, you may only need 2 to 6 treatments. Since every tattoo is different, the number of treatments needed is unique for everyone and depends on a variety of factors, including:
Tattoo age
Tattoo location
Tattoo colors
Skin type
Ink density
Type of tattoo (amateur vs. professional)
Pre-existing scarring
Personal health
How long does it take to see results?
Final results can be calculated by adding the number of treatments needed plus the 6-week healing period needed between treatments. Most customers will see significant fading within their first few treatments.
Remember, laser tattoo removal acts as an assistant to your immune system by breaking up the ink in your skin to make the natural removal process easier for your body to carry out. Therefore, people with healthier immune systems usually require fewer treatments.
Can you fade my tattoo for a cover-up or only remove a specific part of my tattoo?
Yes! Regretful Heart is the expert in all things tattoo removal, from complete tattoo removal, fading for cover-ups, and selective tattoo removal–we do it all! If you’re considering getting a cover-up, then laser tattoo removal is a perfect option for you. Even the most talented tattoo artists are limited in a cover-ups size, colors, and creativity when trying to conceal a pre-existing tattoo. By fading a tattoo with laser tattoo removal, you can create a cleaner canvas for your tattoo artist to work on and also incorporate more colors, size options, and details rather than just settling for a large, dark black design.
Customers interested in removing a name, text, or other element from their tattoo can receive selective tattoo removal. This treatment erases certain parts of a tattoo while leaving the surrounding ink intact.
Are there any side effects?
As long as proper aftercare is applied, you shouldn’t experience any severe side effects. Laser tattoo removal is the safest method for removing and treating unwanted ink. Our Astanza Duality safely penetrates through the epidermis and targets only the ink particles in the dermis layer while leaving the surrounding skin tissue unharmed. Our Richmond practice uses FDA-approved technology and custom laser protocols to ensure the safest treatments.
The only side effects you may experience are temporary redness, itchiness, scabbing, blistering, swelling, hyperpigmentation, or hypopigmentation. Again, these side effects are temporary and indicate that your immune system is working to remove the shattered ink from your skin. With proper aftercare, these side effects will heal over the weeks following each laser session.
Does laser tattoo removal hurt? How long are treatments?
The laser sensation is very tolerable and is often described as a rubber band snapping against the skin. Whereas people with a lower pain tolerance have said the laser feels similar to getting a tattoo. Luckily, laser tattoo removal takes a fraction of the time it takes to apply a tattoo. Depending on the size of your tattoo, treatments last anywhere from a few seconds to 15 minutes. Regretful Heart offers skin numbing solutions to help alleviate your skin and provide maximum comfort.
How much does laser tattoo removal cost?
Regretful Heart offers complimentary consultations and affordable treatment pricing based on the size of your tattoo. We also provide treatment packages and discounts to help you save more upfront. Visit our pricing page for more information!