Is tattoo shading easier or quicker to laser off?

Question

I have a tattoo not too many dark areas a couple here and there I'm looking to get layered off is it easier or quicker to get rid of shading I asked the place that I have an appointment to on Saturday and there response was ink is ink :( is this true? I thought since it was shading it wouldn't take as long am I wrong?

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi TR.  Yes, ink is ink, but dark ink is harder to remove than light ink.  Shading means that the artist did not pass over the area as many times as full color ink and therefore it is easier to remove.  With that said, there is still variability in number of treatments based on the type of ink, depth of placement and quality of work.  To see others that have had shaded tattoos removed, take a look at the pictures at the link below.

Lee P. Laris, DO · Answer

Yes, ink is ink but the amount and color of ink in the skin and the depth is what determines how long it will take to remove.  In my experience, shading is the first to go with laser removal, sometimes in only one or two treatments.

Is tattoo shading easier or quicker to laser off?

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