Tattoo shading and removal: Is shading easier and quicker to remove?

Question

Hi, I was wondering if a tattoo done using the shading needle is removed faster than for say the outlines of a tattoo which are darker (specifically in color such as red, yellow and dark blue)? I can see my skin colour through the shading effect specially when i pinch my skin slightly. I'm asking because my tat does't have an outline and was hoping to either fade or completely remove this part of my tattoo.

Brian Citro, MD · Answer

Tattoo shading is much easier to remove than dark lines. The shade areas generally have less ink and the ink is not usually very deep in the skin.  I recommend finding an experienced clinician who is using a pico second laser.

Laura Riehm, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  Tattoo shading is easier to remove than lines.  You have 2 routes for laser tattoo removal.Nanosecond lasers came out about 20 years ago.  Picosecond laser came out about 3 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 irreversible.  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, using a pressure wave rather than heat to shear the ink molecules apart.  After using the PicoSure for almost 3 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.  If they have more time than money, we encourage them to come every 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.

Tattoo shading and removal: Is shading easier and quicker to remove?

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Everything you need to know about Tattoo Removal

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Tattoo shading and removal: Is shading easier and quicker to remove?

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Everything you need to know about Tattoo Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.