How Long Does Tattoo Removal Take?

Most tattoos take about 6 to 12 laser sessions to fully remove. A large or more colorful piece may need more sessions. The sessions are spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart, so full removal usually takes 8 to 18 months.

At Alternative Laser Health, we remove tattoos of all shapes, sizes, and colours in Mississauga, ON, and give you a personal session estimate at your free consultation. 

Call (905) 451-4545 to book your session today.

Keep reading to learn how long removal takes by tattoo type, and what affects the duration.

How Long Does Tattoo Removal Take by Tattoo Type?

It takes about 6 to 12 laser sessions to fully remove a tattoo. The type of tattoo you have determines how long it takes to remove. Here is a typical session range for each type. Your plan may differ after a consultation.

• Black ink tattoos usually take 5 to 8 sessions. Black absorbs every laser wavelength, so it clears fastest. Thin outlines go faster, while dense, professional black can take up to 10 sessions.

• Coloured tattoos take about 8 to 12 sessions or more. Green and blue need specific wavelengths to break apart. Yellow and white are the hardest to clear, and multicoloured pieces take the longest because each colour needs its own wavelength.

• Amateur tattoos clear faster, in about 4 to 8 sessions, because the ink is lighter and sits closer to the surface.

• Professional tattoos take longer, often 8 to 12 sessions or more, because artists pack ink deeper and heavier.

• Older tattoos, 10-plus years old, often need just 4 to 6 sessions. Your body has already broken down some ink over time, giving the laser a head start.

• New tattoos need no sessions yet. Let a new tattoo heal for at least 6 weeks before you start removal.

• Cover-up fades take only 3 to 5 sessions, since you just need to lighten the old ink for a new design, not remove it fully.

  
  

What Else Affects Your Tattoo Removal Timeline?

Beyond the tattoo type, a few things add or cut sessions:

• Size: larger tattoos take more time per session and more sessions overall. A small wrist tattoo may clear in a few visits, while a large back piece takes many more.

• Body location: tattoos closer to the heart, like the chest, upper arms, and back, fade faster thanks to stronger blood flow. Ink on the hands, feet, and lower legs clears slower.

• Skin tone: darker skin tones need gentler settings to stay safe, which can add a few sessions. We match the laser to your skin tone (Fitzpatrick types) to protect your skin.

• Ink depth and density: heavier, deeper ink takes longer than light, shallow work.

• Your health and habits: smoking and poor hydration slow how fast your body clears the ink.

Clinics often use the Kirby-Desai Scale to score these factors and estimate your session count. We also check your fading after about 3 sessions to fine-tune the plan.

What Happens During and Between Sessions?

Each session is quick. A small tattoo takes about 10 minutes, and a large piece takes up to about 30 minutes. Downtime is minimal, so most people return to their day right after.

The wait between sessions matters more than the session itself. Your body, not the laser, removes the ink. Each visit, the laser breaks the ink into tiny bits, then your immune system clears them over the next few weeks. That is why we space sessions 6 to 8 weeks apart, and your skin heals in about 7 to 10 days after each one. Rushing the gap won't speed things up and can increase the risk of skin problems. The U.S. FDA notes that full tattoo removal usually takes several sessions over months.

Alternative Laser Health Offers These Tattoo Removal Services in Mississauga ON

We use advanced picosecond lasers, which fire in trillionths of a second to break ink into much finer particles than older Q-switched, or nanosecond, lasers. Finer particles are easier for your body to flush out, so picosecond lasers often clear tattoos in fewer sessions. We match the system to your ink and skin, confirm the plan at your free consultation, and track your fading with progress photos.

• Laser tattoo removal: our core service. We choose the laser wavelength that matches each ink colour and deliver controlled pulses that protect the skin around the tattoo. Longer wavelengths target dark ink like black and blue, while shorter wavelengths lift bright colours like red and orange.

• PicoSure laser tattoo removal: an FDA-cleared picosecond laser that uses a 755 nm wavelength, plus an optional 532 nm for warm colours. It shatters ink into tiny particles and clears stubborn green, blue, and black ink in fewer sessions than older lasers, across a wide range of skin types.

• PicoWay laser tattoo removal: an FDA-cleared picosecond laser with four wavelengths of 532, 730, 785, and 1064 nm and photoacoustic energy. The extra wavelengths target more colours in one system, and it suits skin tones from Fitzpatrick type I to IV, so it works well on resistant and multicoloured tattoos.

Book an Appointment to Get Your Tattoo Removed in Mississauga, ON

Alternative Laser Health offers laser tattoo removal in Mississauga, performed by a trained tattoo artist.

During your free consultation, we look at your tattoo's ink colours, age, size, and your skin tone, then recommend the laser and session plan that will clear it safely. You will leave knowing roughly how many sessions to expect and what your timeline looks like.

Removing a tattoo is easier when someone honest walks you through your options. Call (905) 451-4545 or book a free consultation today!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sessions does tattoo removal take?

Most tattoos need 6 to 12 sessions. Small, older, black tattoos can take as few as 4 to 5, while large or multicoloured pieces can take 15 or more.

How many sessions to fade a tattoo for a cover-up?

Usually 3 to 5 sessions, since you only need to lighten the old ink, not remove it fully.

Which tattoo colours take the longest to remove?

Green, blue, yellow, and white take the most sessions. Black is the fastest to clear.

Does smoking affect how long removal takes?

It can. Smoking slows how fast your body clears the ink, which can add sessions. Staying hydrated and healthy helps you clear ink faster.

Can every tattoo be fully removed?

Most can. Black and older tattoos clear best. Some bright colours fade a lot but may not vanish completely. We set clear expectations at your consultation.