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Removal

Laser tattoo removal before and after photos

Every photo below comes from a real person who's been through laser tattoo removal. Not a clinic's best-cases reel. You'll see where they started, how many sessions they've had, what they paid, and how far along they are.

Use the filters to find results that match your tattoo: ink color, skin type, body location, tattoo size, the laser used. If you've finished (or are mid-way through) your own removal, add your photos to help someone else figure out what to expect.

55 real results and counting

extra large black tattoo before tattoo removal

Before first removal session

Sessions

7

Complete Removal After 7 sessions100%
black tattoo before tattoo removal therapy

Before first removal session

Sessions

10

Total Cost

$2,000

Complete Removal After 10 sessions100%
black tattoo before laser removal treatment

Before first removal session

Sessions

8

Complete Removal After 8 sessions100%
multicolor tattoo fading after 3 sessions of tattoo laser removal with Candela Picoway

After session 3

Sessions

3

Starting to Fade After 3 sessions25%
black tattoo fading after 9 sessions of laser tattoo removal with Candela Picoway, Cynosure PicoPlus

After session 9

Sessions

9

Starting to Fade After 9 sessions25%
large black tattoo before laser tattoo removal

Before first removal session

Sessions

8

Complete Removal After 8 sessions100%
black tattoo fading after 13 sessions of tattoo removal therapy with Candela Picoway

After session 13

Sessions

13

Moderate Fading After 13 sessions50%
multicolor tattoo before tattoo laser removal

Before first removal session

Sessions

1

Moderate Fading After 1 session50%
blue and yellow tattoo before tattoo removal therapy

Before first removal session

Sessions

4

Starting to Fade After 4 sessions25%
black tattoo before tattoo removal treatment

Before first removal session

Sessions

5

Total Cost

$1,000

Significant Fading After 5 sessions75%
black tattoo before laser skin treatment

Before first removal session

Sessions

1

Starting to Fade After 1 session25%
black tattoo before laser removal treatment

Before first removal session

Sessions

6

Total Cost

$1,670

Complete Removal After 6 sessions100%
tattoo before laser removal treatment

Before first removal session

Sessions

1

Starting to Fade After 1 session25%
large black tattoo before laser skin treatment

Before first removal session

Sessions

6

Total Cost

$1,700

Significant Fading After 6 sessions75%
black tattoo before tattoo laser removal

Before first removal session

Sessions

4

Total Cost

$600

Complete Removal After 4 sessions100%
large multicolor tattoo fading after 1 session of tattoo laser treatment at Removery

After session 1

Sessions

5

Moderate Fading After 5 sessions50%
black tattoo fading after 1 session of tattoo laser treatment with Astanza Trinity

After session 1

Sessions

1

Total Cost

$1,200

Starting to Fade After 1 session25%
black and yellow tattoo fading after 1 session of laser tattoo treatment at Bye Bye Ink

After session 1

Sessions

8

Moderate Fading After 8 sessions50%
black and red tattoo before laser skin treatment

Before first removal session

Sessions

2

Starting to Fade After 2 sessions25%
black tattoo before laser removal treatment

Before first removal session

Sessions

1

Significant Fading After 1 session75%
large black tattoo fading after 1 session of laser tattoo treatment with Quanta Q-Plus A

After session 1

Sessions

3

Significant Fading After 3 sessions75%
large black tattoo before tattoo removal treatment

Before first removal session

Sessions

8

Total Cost

$4,230

Significant Fading After 8 sessions75%
large multicolor tattoo before laser removal

Before first removal session

Sessions

1

Starting to Fade After 1 session25%
black tattoo fading after 1 session of tattoo removal with Cynosure PicoSure

After session 1

Sessions

5

Moderate Fading After 5 sessions50%
black tattoo before tattoo laser treatment

Before first removal session

Sessions

1

large black tattoo before laser skin treatment

Before first removal session

Sessions

10

Total Cost

$3,400

Complete Removal After 10 sessions100%
blue tattoo fading after 1 session of tattoo laser treatment with Cynosure PicoPlus

After session 1

Sessions

6

Total Cost

$704

Significant Fading After 6 sessions75%
white and black tattoo fading after 1 session of tattoo removal treatment with Candela Picoway

After session 1

Sessions

6

Total Cost

$4,000

Moderate Fading After 6 sessions50%
white and pink tattoo before tattoo laser treatment

Before first removal session

Sessions

4

Moderate Fading After 4 sessions50%
extra large black tattoo before tattoo removal

Before first removal session

Sessions

1

Starting to Fade After 1 session25%
black tattoo before tattoo removal therapy

Before first removal session

Sessions

2

Starting to Fade After 2 sessions25%
multicolor tattoo fading after 5 sessions of laser tattoo removal with Cynosure PicoSure

After session 5

Sessions

5

Moderate Fading After 5 sessions50%
black tattoo fading after 1 session of laser removal treatment with Cynosure PicoSure

After session 1

Sessions

4

Total Cost

$1,120

Significant Fading After 4 sessions75%
large black tattoo before tattoo removal therapy

Before first removal session

Sessions

4

Total Cost

$2,200

Moderate Fading After 4 sessions50%
black and pink tattoo before laser removal

Before first removal session

Sessions

4

Starting to Fade After 4 sessions25%
black tattoo before laser removal

Before first removal session

Sessions

5

Total Cost

$7,500

Moderate Fading After 5 sessions50%
multicolor tattoo before tattoo removal

Before first removal session

Sessions

7

Total Cost

$1,400

Starting to Fade After 7 sessions25%
large black and green tattoo before laser tattoo removal

Before first removal session

Sessions

1

Moderate Fading After 1 session50%
white and black tattoo fading after 1 session of tattoo laser treatment with Candela Picoway

After session 1

Sessions

3

Moderate Fading After 3 sessions50%
large black tattoo before laser tattoo removal

Before first removal session

Sessions

5

Significant Fading After 5 sessions75%
black tattoo fading after 1 session of laser removal treatment with Candela Picoway

After session 1

Sessions

2

Total Cost

$1,100

Significant Fading After 2 sessions75%
black tattoo fading after 1 session of tattoo laser treatment with Candela Picoway

After session 1

Sessions

5

Significant Fading After 5 sessions75%
black tattoo fading after 1 session of tattoo removal treatment with Cutera Enlighten

After session 1

Sessions

6

Significant Fading After 6 sessions75%
black tattoo before tattoo laser treatment

Before first removal session

Sessions

6

Total Cost

$960

Significant Fading After 6 sessions75%
black tattoo fading after 2 sessions of laser removal treatment with Cynosure PicoSure

After session 2

Sessions

2

Total Cost

$700

Moderate Fading After 2 sessions50%
large black tattoo fading after 1 session of tattoo laser removal with Cutera Enlighten

After session 1

Sessions

12

Total Cost

$1,100

Moderate Fading After 12 sessions50%
black tattoo before tattoo laser treatment

Before first removal session

Sessions

1

Total Cost

$250

Starting to Fade After 1 session25%
black tattoo complete removal after 4 sessions of tattoo laser treatment with Candela Picoway

After session 4

Sessions

8

Complete Removal After 8 sessions100%
black tattoo before laser skin treatment

Before first removal session

Sessions

6

Complete Removal After 6 sessions100%
multicolor tattoo complete removal after 1 session of laser skin treatment with Lumenis PiQo4

After session 1

Sessions

16

Total Cost

$12,000

Complete Removal After 16 sessions100%
large black tattoo fading after 2 sessions of laser removal with Candela Picoway

After session 2

Sessions

2

Total Cost

$4,500

Moderate Fading After 2 sessions50%
large black tattoo before laser tattoo treatment

Before first removal session

Sessions

8

Total Cost

$4,430

Significant Fading After 8 sessions75%
black tattoo before tattoo removal treatment

Before first removal session

Sessions

9

Complete Removal After 9 sessions100%
red and blue tattoo fading after 1 session of tattoo removal treatment with Candela Picoway

After session 1

Sessions

8

Total Cost

$3,424

Significant Fading After 8 sessions75%
multicolor tattoo fading after 1 session of tattoo removal with Quanta Q-Plus C

After session 1

Sessions

32

Total Cost

$3,200

Significant Fading After 32 sessions75%

Frequently asked questions

Can tattoos be removed completely?

Yes — many tattoos can be completely removed, particularly black and dark blue inks on lighter skin tones. Results depend on ink colors, skin type (Fitzpatrick scale), tattoo age, depth, and the laser used. Older tattoos and single-color black ink tend to respond best. Some multicolor tattoos, especially those with green or yellow ink, may fade significantly but not disappear entirely.

Is it possible to remove a tattoo in one session?

No — complete removal in a single session is not possible. Each laser session shatters ink particles and your immune system clears them over 6–8 weeks. Most tattoos require 5–15+ sessions spaced 6–10 weeks apart. Smaller, older, black-ink tattoos on fair skin take the fewest sessions. Large, multicolor, or professionally applied tattoos typically need more.

What does a tattoo look like after removal?

Immediately after a session the skin looks red, raised, and sometimes has white frosting — a normal reaction caused by rapid ink particle heating. Over the following days, swelling subsides and the area may blister or peel. After full treatment, most people's skin returns close to its original appearance, though faint ghosting or slight texture differences are possible depending on how deep the ink was.

How does the skin look after tattoo removal?

Between sessions, the skin goes through cycles of inflammation and healing. You may notice gradual fading, temporary hypopigmentation (lighter patches), or slight dryness in the treated area. These usually resolve between sessions. After complete removal, most people's skin looks clear with minimal trace of the original tattoo, though individual healing varies significantly.

What to expect after first laser tattoo removal session?

In the first few hours: redness, swelling, and a sunburn-like sensation. Days 1–3: possible blistering or "frosting" — both are normal responses. Days 4–14: skin peels and the area starts to heal. Weeks 2–8: gradual fading becomes visible as your immune system flushes out the fragmented ink particles. Results from session 1 are subtle — significant fading typically becomes noticeable after sessions 2–4.

Does laser tattoo removal leave scars?

When performed correctly by a qualified practitioner, laser tattoo removal rarely causes scarring. Risk increases if you pick or pop blisters, skip sunscreen, or have sessions too close together without full healing. Worth noting: some tattoos were applied over existing scarring, which can become more visible once the ink is cleared. If scarring concerns you, ask your provider about a test patch first.