It is easier to remove a fresh new tattoo? How long should one wait to remove a new tattoo?

This is a very common question. The best is to wait 3 months before the laser tattoo removal. We suggest Picosure laser for best tattoo removal results.

Hello,Tattoo removal, if not done correctly, can result in either scarring or ghosting.  Here are some tips:
Find a reputable office with a Pico laser. It produces faster results with less scarring than a nano alone.  
Tattoo removal shops are not as reputable as a Doctor. Many of these shops close as quickly as they open, leaving you out of luck on pre-paid packages.
Stay out of the sun— sunlight can be harmful to healing in after any laser procedure
Avoid infections- This means keep your tattoo area clean (i.e. don’t garden right after a tattoo removal on your arm, etc), don’t pick scabs or blisters if they occur.  Follow our post procedure instructions.  Avoid swimming for 48 hours as water can infect the treated areas.
Allow healing between treatment sessions- typically 4-8 weeks.
Be healthy- while the tattoo laser breaks up the tattoo particles, your body will actually eliminate the particles. Being healthy will help achieve this process faster and allow for consistent healing. Drink lots of water, get adequate sleep, and eat vitamin enriched foods.
 Dr. Anil Shah

Tattoos should be removed with q switched or pico lasers. We also use the pfd patch to help speed up the process. It will take a series of treatments, but you'll want to wait until it's completely healed (about 4-6 weeks). I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a laser tattoo removal expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Hello and thank you for your question.  Tattoo regret is not uncommon, but we always recommend that a patient wait at least 3 months before beginning tattoo removal treatments.  Your body needs time to fully recover from the "trauma" of a new tattoo and you also want to minimize any potential side effects such as hyper or hypo pigmentation as a result of attempting removal too soon after application of new tattoo ink.  Taking good care of the tattooed area to ensure optimal healing will be beneficial when you begin treatments, you are on the right track.  In our practice, we use the PicoSure tattoo removal laser by CynoSure, which shatters the ink into tiny micro-particles which are then naturally eliminated by your body over time. PicoSure is usually more expensive than other laser treatments, but typically requires fewer treatments and is more comfortable for the patient, so keep that in mind as you consult with practitioners.
Stay healthy! All the best to you!

New tattoos are not easier to remove than old tattoos. When you get a tattoo your immune system eats the ink and the cell dies and sits in the skin with the ink inside of it. This happens pretty fast so by the time your skin is healed this process will have already taken place. Older tattoos tend to fade because of sun exposure or poor quality ink that breaks down over time causing the pigment to degrade. If the tattoos is made with better ink and the area is not as sun exposed then even an old tattoo will look newer for years. In your case, I would recommend an evaluation by a trained professional who can give you a good estimate of cost. The number of treatments will vary regardless. Best of luck.

Old tattoo faded over time (couple of decades or so) due the immune system constantly breaking down the ink's pigments and metabolized them through the liver.  For those who wants to expedite the removal process in months instead of years, tattoos can be removed with either with 1st generation (Q-Switched or Nano) or 2nd generation (Pico) laser technology. If tattoo is new, you'll want to wait until it's completely healed (around 2-3 months) before laser treatment. The number of treatment is depending on various factors (lighten for cover up vs complete removal, laser technology, physician's experience, tattoo size, ink saturation, colors, overall health, skin type, tattoo location, etc.. We have utilized both Nano/PICO technology and PICO is costlier; but removes tattoo much more efficiency with less discomfort. We recommend seeking laser tattoo removal treatment from a reputable professional healthcare provider in your area who is specialized in tattoos removal with both Nano/Pico technology.

Thanks for your question.  Tattoo regret is very common.  Almost every tattoo can be completely removed with enough time and treatments.  You will have to wait until your skin is completely healed.  The most important factor in laser tattoo removal is patience.  Wait at least 2-3 months between treatments.  You have to give your body time to absorb the ink.  Older tattoos tend to clear faster than new ink because your body has had more time already trying to break down the ink.For laser tattoo removal you have two routes.  We are constantly asked to repair the damage caused by q-switch lasers.  Some damage is permanent.  Make sure you know all of the facts before you start.The older nanosecond or Q-Switch lasers that came out about 20 years ago.  The majority of former Q-Switch patients we see have significant hypopigmentation (ghosting) around and under their tattoo.  The Q-Switch lasers have trouble differentiating between the melanin in your skin and ink.  The technology uses heat to burn the pigment out of your skin.  In addition, we have seen patients with raised scars as if they have been branded.  Both of these condition are typically irreversible.  Picosecond laser came out about 5 years ago.  Every laser manufacturer has a different marketing hook to make you choose their laser.  At the end of the day, it's about the technology and experience of the clinician.  All PicoSecond lasers (like the Enlighten, PicoWay & PicoSure) fire 1000 times faster per second, using a pressure wave rather than heat to shear the ink molecules apart.  The hype of extra wavelengths does not make that much of a difference.  The 755 nm will get rid of most of the ink colors.  For red and pink ink, you would need to make sure they have 532 nm.  After using the PicoSure for 3 and half years, we have only seen pinpoint hypopigmentation in a very small number of patients usually of darker skin tones.  We cannot say it is impossible to get burned with a Picosecond laser, but it is highly unlikely.  We tell every PicoSure tattoo patient to expect at least 6 treatments, but don’t be surprised if it takes 10 to 12.  Patience is the key for our patients.  We typically see our tattoo removal patients every 8 to 12 weeks initially.  We eventually encourage them to wait up to 6 months as the tattoos seem to continue to fade while they wait.Treatment prices vary by market. The cost for picosecond treatments will be higher, but you should need less than half the treatments compared to a nanosecond laser.  The patch is only used with the older nanosecond lasers.  Best of luck

I generally do not new tattoos for at least 3 months. I wait for the skin to heal completely before we commence treatments.
Newer tattoos require more treatments. 
Best Wishes

In general, older tattoos are easier to remove, but the fact that your ink appears to be lightly applied bodes well for easier removal. Other factors such as color and body location are also important factors in the ease of removal.
It sounds as if you’ve already taken excellent steps by booking consults. Be sure your provider is medically trained and licensed, insured, experienced, and intent on numbing you properly. A picosecond laser would be a big plus, but the operator is ultimately more important than the details of the equipment. The right provider will make sure you don’t treat that new tattoo too soon.
To date, there is insufficient evidence to justify PFD patch use until someone can demonstrate faster removal with a well-designed study. Your treatments will already cost plenty without the added expense of something unproven.
Good luck!