Not every tattoo needs to disappear completely. Sometimes you want it gone; sometimes you just want it quiet enough for something new. Both use the same laser and the same per-session pricing. The difference is the goal.
Full removal: back to how it was
Full removal is for when your goal is skin that looks like it did before the tattoo. Maybe it's the ex's name, the one you got when you were 18, or a design that just doesn't feel like you anymore. Changing your mind is reason enough, and you never have to explain the backstory.
With full removal we keep going, session by session, as long as the ink keeps lifting.
Fading: making room for the new one
Fading is for when you're planning a cover-up or a rework. We lighten the old tattoo so your artist has a cleaner canvas to work with. Lighter old ink gives your artist far more freedom with the new design, including lighter colours and finer detail.
Talk to your tattoo artist about how light they'd like the old work to be, then bring that to your consult. Once your last session is done, let your skin fully heal before you get tattooed over it.
Which one do you need?
Choose full removal if…
- you don't want any tattoo in that spot anymore
- you want the area to look like it did before
Choose fading if…
- you already have a cover-up or rework in mind
- your tattoo artist has said the old work is too dark to cover well
- an artist didn't do what you wanted and you're planning to fix it
Still not sure? That's completely normal, and it's exactly what the free consult is for.
Does either one work on colour and all skin tones?
Yes. Our Cutera Enlighten III has three wavelengths that cover a wide range of ink colours, including stubborn reds and oranges, and it pairs picosecond and nanosecond pulses so we can match the treatment to your ink. We tune the settings to your skin and always start with a test spot, so it works on all skin tones.
How many sessions will it take?
We don't give a set number for either one, because every tattoo is different. Ink colour, depth, age, placement and how your body heals all play a part. Come in for a free consult and we'll give you an honest estimate for your tattoo and your goal.
Pricing is the same either way: per session, by size, from $129. See how our pricing works or visit our laser tattoo removal page.