How Soon After a "New" Tattoo Can You Start Laser Removal?

Typically a tattoo shouldn't be lasered until the skin is completely healed from the tattooing.  Generally this takes at least 6 weeks.

Hi There and thanks for your question. This is a common inquiry that we often get. You need to wait at least 6 weeks from when you initially got the tattoo. If you have a laser treatment on the tattoo earlier than this you can risk of the area being scarred. It may take 8-10 sessions
but also it depends on your body's ability to break down the ink particles. It would not be recommended to have excision on the shoulder due to the constant movement that it will undergo. You may be a good candidate for a procedure called the R20 where it compresses 4 sessions into one treatment. Each session is spaced apart with 20 minute intervals. This is a quicker way to remove any small, black tattoo.Best of Luck! 

I have treated very fresh tattoos with excellent results but, occasionally, some patients will need more treatments than others, especially in the mature tattoos.  Consult with a laser specialist in your area.

Tattoo removal is performed by laser and surgery. Tattoo works by selectively targeting pigment in the tattoo. Once the laser is used, macrophages in the skin remove tattoo particles.
Surgery is reserved for tattoos that are resistant to laser tattoo removal. Surgery is not indicated for areas that are dynamic, like the joints, shoulders, mid back, and chest.
Since the laser targets the tattoo pigment, it can be performed early after laser hair removal, as long the epidermis is intact.

Hello, Waiting 6-8 weeks post getting a tattoo is usually sufficient to begin getting a tattoo removal with  a PicoWay laser. A new tattoo is thicker and will require more treatments compared to a tattoo that is 3-5 years old. Also, when you begin to get laser treatments on a freshly put in tattoo it is better to wait a little longer in between treatments (12 weeks) to allow the newer, thicker ink to clear after the laser has hit it. Seeing a medical professional who can injectably numb you will help you mentally and emotionally get through the treatments so you will not have to suffer any more than you already have.