# Getting a tattoo removed... your experiences?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-tattoo-removed-your-experiences/793896>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [August 17, 2017, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-tattoo-removed-your-experiences/793896 "2017-08-17T20:38:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-tattoo-removed-your-experiences/793896/1 "2017-08-17T20:38:40Z")

</div>

Soliciting your experiences on tattoo removal re/ effectiveness, prices, anything else worth knowing as I go into it.

I have a hand-sized print on my back that’s been there about 20 years… some blue, green, yellow, and orange, professionally done. About 10 years ago I got tired of being a tattoo-wearer. It was really never my style, even less so in middle age. To make matter worse, recently I realized it looks a little too much like a white power symbol. Not cool.

I hope it can disappear completely, but I’m OK with having an ugly half-faded smudge if I have to. Not getting it fixed up or altered. The place I’ve scheduled has a pico-sure laser which I’m told is the best.

Anyway, your thoughts? Mainly I want to make sure this thing gets as faded as possible.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-tattoo-removed-your-experiences/793896/2 "2017-08-17T20:43:56Z")

</div>

No matter what, it’s not going to fade FAST. My daughter is in the process of having one removed. Laser appointment every 6 weeks. She just had her third appointment - a large portion of the color is quite faded, the black is still pretty strong. It’s estimated she will have at least 6 treatments, 6 weeks apart, to fade it enough to cover it with another tattoo.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-tattoo-removed-your-experiences/793896/3 "2017-08-17T20:49:28Z")

</div>

You could check out the recommendations on [realself, a forum for elective and cosmetic surgery.](https://www.realself.com/Tattoo-removal/reviews) Apparently, in the last month, of 181 people, 92% thought tatto removal was worth it.

You have to register (for free) to be able to see all the pictures and reviews.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2017, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-a-tattoo-removed-your-experiences/793896/4 "2017-08-17T21:02:06Z")

</div>

> [@MissTake](#):
>
> No matter what, it’s not going to fade FAST. My daughter is in the process of having one removed. Laser appointment every 6 weeks. She just had her third appointment - a large portion of the color is quite faded, the black is still pretty strong. It’s estimated she will have at least 6 treatments, 6 weeks apart, to fade it enough to cover it with another tattoo.

Thanks for that. I’m committed. Pool season’s just about over anyway. 🙂 The offer is $960 for 6 treatments. I’ll do more if it seems necessary/helpful.