How Much Does Tattoo Removal Cost?
Laser tattoo removal costs $1,425 on average, according to 792 patient reviews on RealSelf, but the total cost can range up to $3,500 to remove a large or especially difficult tattoo.
Read on to learn more about what you can expect to pay.
Does insurance cover tattoo removal?
Insurance won’t cover the removal of an unwanted tattoo because it’s considered an elective cosmetic treatment, However, many dermatologists and other providers offer payment plans or accept third-party financing. They may also accept medical loans or credit cards.
During your consultation, talk with your provider about which payment or financing options they accept.
What affects the cost of tattoo removal?
Providers have different tattoo removal pricing policies. Some charge by the square inch or determine the cost by a generic size (such as a credit card vs. a postage stamp), while others charge a flat fee per treatment session.
In addition to these policy differences, these are the primary factors that will impact your total tattoo removal cost.
1. Your provider’s level of experience
Board-certified dermatologists and plastic surgeons usually charge more than certified technicians or practitioners with less training. That additional expense may be worth it to minimize the risk of potential side effects and get the best results, especially if you’re after complete removal. But some tattoo clinics have highly experienced providers who can safely treat a variety of skin types.
At your consultation, ask your potential provider about their training, certification, and how often they perform laser tattoo removal, so you know you’re not getting a novice.
2. Their practice location
The cost of living in your provider’s neighborhood will also impact the price you pay. If they have to pay a lot of overhead for things like rent, they’ll have to pass more of those expenses on to their clients.
3. The number of sessions you need
The average cost for a single laser tattoo removal treatment session in the U.S. is $200-$500.
While that probably won’t break the bank, most tattoos can’t be completely removed in one session. It typically takes three laser tattoo removal sessions to fade a tattoo for a cover-up (when an unwanted tattoo is tattooed over with a new tattoo) and 10 to 12 removal sessions to fade it completely.
How many sessions you’ll need largely depends on the depth of the tattoo, the types and colors of ink used, the color of skin to be treated, and the type of laser that’s used.
Your provider should be able to estimate the number of sessions you’ll need at your initial consultation. Ask if they offer special package discounts, if you pay for a series of sessions up-front.
Related: 6 Women Share Their Most Regrettable Tattoo & What They Paid to Remove It
4. The size of your tattoo
It probably won’t surprise you to hear that the size of the tattoo affects the number of treatment sessions you’ll need. Larger tattoos take more time, so they cost more to remove.
5. The tattoo ink color
Removing a tattoo with black ink usually costs less than a multi-colored one. That’s because tattoos with different colors of ink often require a series of laser treatment sessions with different wavelengths, which makes removal more complicated.
- Black, brown, dark blue, and darker green are some of the easiest colors to remove.
- Tattoos with yellow or purple ink may take many sessions to significantly fade, and—if your provider isn’t using newer technology, like the Pico laser—may be impossible to erase completely.
6. The quality and quantity of ink
Was your tattoo done by a professional tattoo artist or an amateur? High-quality ink lasts longer, so it’s harder to remove with a laser than low-quality ink. Professionals also tend to use more ink, deeper into the skin.
Amateur jobs typically penetrate fewer layers of the epidermis and contain less ink, so they’re usually cheaper to fade or erase.
7. Your tattoo’s location
During the tattoo removal process, areas of your body that have better blood circulation will flush out the ink particles faster than areas with less circulation.
That’s why fading is generally slower for tattoos located further down the arm or leg, where the blood supply is weaker.
8. Your immune system
Yes, even your immune system plays a role in your tattoo removal cost. Stronger immune systems generally eliminate tattoo ink from your skin more quickly, reducing the number of sessions you’ll need.
9. How long you’ve had it
New tattoo ink tends to be brighter, so the pigment is harder to break up.
Tattoos that are less than a year old can be quite challenging to remove, while old tattoos are easier and require fewer sessions.
10. Your skin tone
Laser technology makes it easier to remove tattoos on fair skin that contains less melanin (the pigment that gives skin its color). The deeper your skin tone, the more sessions you’ll need, and it may be difficult to fade the ink completely.
People with more melanin in their skin are also at a higher risk of pigmentation changes, including hypopigmentation (areas with less pigment than the surrounding skin). If this is a concern for you, it’s essential to find a dermatologist with experience treating all skin tones.
11. The type of laser that’s used
Q-switched nanosecond lasers were once popular for tattoo removal. Now, picosecond lasers, like PicoWay and PicoSure, are becoming the go-to choice for doctors, says Dr. Amy Paul, a board-certified dermatologist in Grand Junction, Colorado.
While the cost per treatment session may be less if your provider uses older technology, you may ultimately end up paying more (in terms of money, time, and discomfort) because complete removal will require more sessions.
12. Your removal goals
Many tattoo artists have the experience and equipment to fade a tattoo enough to do a cover-up tattoo. This can be an economical option, if you’re open to a new look.
As you’d expect, complete removal will take more sessions and increase your final bill.
Tattoo removal costs in U.S. states
Browse laser tattoo removal costs in U.S. states, according to recent RealSelf member reviews (as of July 2023). States not currently listed did not have enough data to include.
State | Average Cost |
|---|---|
California | $853 |
Connecticut | $300 |
Florida | $950 |
New Jersey | $1,695 |
New York | $1,500 |
Ohio | $1,741 |
Texas | $533 |