Can You Get a Tattoo Removed Immediately?
Hate your new tattoo? Whether your tattoo artist didn’t quite bring your vision to life or you’re feeling desperate to get rid of your latest ink, there are some important factors to consider before rushing out to find a quick solution.
When it comes to erasing or fading a tattoo, there is no quick fix, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get the results you’re after! The key to safe and effective tattoo removal is patience. Before going into depth on all the different considerations that can affect tattoo removal, you should know the good news — your tattoo can be removed.
How long after getting a tattoo can I get it removed?
Once your skin has healed from getting the tattoo, then you can begin laser removal treatments. This process looks different for every person as there are so many different factors to consider.
Some folks may appear to heal in a few days, while others need several months. The truth is, your skin needs anywhere from six to sixteen weeks to fully heal! This is attributed to several things, such as:
- The size and location of the tattoo
- How well you follow your aftercare instructions
- Any health conditions that may slow down the healing process
Just as it’s crucial to follow aftercare instructions for laser tattoo removal, it’s equally important that you follow the aftercare when getting tattooed (even if you realize you’re unhappy with the tattoo itself). Ultimately, keeping your skin and body healthy is the top priority.
In our 15 years of removing tattoos, we’ve encountered people who wanted to erase a tattoo almost immediately after getting it because it was much bigger than they anticipated (or smaller), they lost a bet, had an ex’s name inked on their body, or are worried what their parents will think. Whatever the reason may be for wanting to have a tattoo removed, we urge you to be as patient as possible as the results of safe and successful laser treatment are totally worth it.
Is it easier to remove a fresh tattoo?
We get this question a lot! Many people think that it must be easier to get a newer tattoo removed vs. one that has been there for years, but that’s not the case necessarily. For starters, all of the variables that we mentioned above (and in similar blog posts) come into play. The size and location of the tattoo, the ink used, and your body’s natural response to getting inked will all play a role.
One thing to consider is that newer tattoos haven’t had time to settle, whereas older tattoos may have faded naturally over time (oftentimes an indication that the quality of the ink used in the tattoo isn’t that good).
If a tattoo hasn’t fully healed, then it will be more challenging to remove and can also increase the likelihood of scarring or lasting side effects. We know the stress of living with unwanted ink, but we recommend using clothes or makeup (that are in line with your tattoo artist’s aftercare instructions) as a temporary solution to hide your tattoo until it’s safe for you to begin laser treatments.
Can you get a new tattoo after laser removal?
Absolutely! Getting a new tattoo over the removed one is possible. In fact, many of our clients will remove or completely fade complete tattoos or partial areas just to redo them or cover them.
We’ve seen that the coverups or brand new tattoos often look better if a few laser treatments have been done beforehand vs. just adding more ink over the old one. The only caveat with laser tattoo removal for a coverup is that you must still wait for your skin to fully heal before getting the new ink tattooed.
If you’ve kept up with our other blog posts, then you know how helpful maintaining a healthy and strong immune system can be to speeding up your recovery. Prioritize lots of rest, staying hydrated, and eating well throughout your treatment to ensure your body recuperates quickly and to hopefully minimize the time needed between laser treatments and your coverup.
Schedule a free consultation with MEDermis Laser Clinic
Rushing the removal process is the worst thing you can do for your skin and your body. Premature lasering has the potential of leaving lasting scars or leading to infections. At MEDermis Laser Clinic, you can trust that you are in capable hands with your tattoo removal. If you have any doubts or concerns about what laser tattoo removal looks like or if you’re a good candidate for this procedure, don’t hesitate to reach out!
We offer free consultations where you can meet with one of our Certified Laser Specialists, who will walk you through what to expect. Ready to get started with your tattoo removal? Get in touch with MEDermis Laser Clinics today by calling our Austin clinic at 512-637-5277 or the San Antonio clinic at 210-402-4030.