Small Tattoo Removal. How Many Treatments Would it Take For Removal?

Question

I just got a tattoo (smaller than a quarter black and red heart) on my rib cage. I'm a very small girl, not sure if that would change how deep the ink would go. Question is, how many treatments should something like this take? I'm not taking care of it so when it flakes it wills fade some. Also since it won't even be a month old before I start the removal process would that make it easier to come completely off?

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello, Tattoo removal can result in either scarring or ghosting.  Here are some tips:
Faster pulse second technology like pico second is a better technology than nano for scarring. Experience can help patients.  Oversight from an experienced physician (best if plastic, facial plastic or dermatology) will likely result in safer outcomes.Stay out of the sun— sunlight can be harmful to healing in after any laser procedureAvoid 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 weeksBe healthy- while the tattoo laser breaks up the tattoo particles, your body will actually eliminate the particles in one of 3 ways.  being healthy will help achieve this process faster and allow for consistent healingBest, 
Anil Shah

Edward Rohaly, MD · Answer

The number of treatment sessions is not dependent on the size of the tattoo.  Black tattoos generally clear in 4-6 sessions, red might take an additional 1-2.  Tattoo placement is traumatic; six weeks recovery is recommended.  “Recovered” skin responds better to the laser. Wait these few weeks! You'll appreciate the outcome!

Richard Ort, MD · Answer

Black and red colors typically respond well to laser.  Red usually responds to Q-switched 532 nm laser.  I do not believe that a tattoo which is anywhere near the size of a quarter is "tiny".  Excising a quarter-sized tattoo on the rib cage of a small person would leave a significant wound and a significant scar.  You might prefer the tattoo over the scar that would result.  Of course, without seeing a picture, it is impossible to say for sure what the best course of action would be.

F. Victor Rueckl, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

The red is going to be the hardest to treat. Overall, I'd say, even with a great tattoo laser, you're looking at about 15 or more treatments and even then, probably you'll still have a light but blurry and smeared tattoo. The best and cheapest removal for a small tattoo like this is to see a dermatologic surgeon and have it excised. You'll be left with a small scar, but it will be about 1000% cheaper than the laser procedures and removed entirely in one session. Laser tattoo removal is just really difficult and there's not one great laser that removes all the colors, or even all the tattoo at this point.

Small Tattoo Removal. How Many Treatments Would it Take For Removal?

Answers (4)

Answer: Best option for removing a small tattoo - excision

Answer: Best option for removing a small tattoo - excision

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Everything you need to know about Tattoo Removal

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Small Tattoo Removal. How Many Treatments Would it Take For Removal?

Answers (4)

Answer: Best option for removing a small tattoo - excision

Answer: Best option for removing a small tattoo - excision

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tattoo Removal

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