How Bad Does Laser Tattoo Removal Hurt?

Whether you’ve got a butterfly on your lower back or an ex’s name on your arm, tattoo regret is real. Lots of people experience it.

That’s why more and more people are turning to laser removal to get rid of their unwanted ink.

But there’s one question that everyone asks:

How bad does laser tattoo removal hurt?

We have answers.

Different laser clinics use different methods to remove tattoos. With the LaserAll process, most of our clients say it hurts much less to remove their tattoo than it did to get it in the first place.

Afraid the pain will be too much for you to handle?

Here’s what you should know:

Table of Contents
1. Different Clients Experience Different Levels of Pain
2. Zimmer Cryo Cooling System
3. Astanza Duality Laser
4. Your Aftercare Treatment is Extremely Important

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Different Clients Experience Different Levels of Discomfort

Some people are extra sensitive to pain. Others can sit for hours under a tattoo needle without even wincing. So it’s to be expected that the level of discomfort ranges from person to person.

However, if you had the strength to get a tattoo in the first place, you shouldn’t have a problem going under the laser.

In general, most of our clients say that the process doesn’t hurt, though some do find it to be a bit uncomfortable:

“It kind of feels like bacon grease splashing on your hand, or a rubber band snapping against your skin. It’s unpleasant, but bearable.” – Amanda C., Laser All customer

Many people equate the feeling to splashing bacon grease on your hand or snapping a rubber band against the skin. It can be unpleasant, but it’s bearable.

It’s important to note that, depending on the size of your tattoo, most treatments are pretty fast. Small tattoos take very little time (less than a minute per session).

But even if you’re covered in larger tattoos, you’ll spend much less time under the laser than you spent in the tattoo shop.

The process certainly isn’t pain-free. You should expect some level of discomfort. Most patients, however, say that it hurts less than they expected.

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Zimmer Cryo Cooling System

The Zimmer Cryo Cooling System is a big reason why LaserAll can limit the amount of pain our patients feel. We use this cooling technology to numb the skin before we do any laser work.

So how does it work?

Well, the Zimmer System blows ultra-cold air directly onto the skin. This numbs the treatment area so that you don’t feel the heat of the laser.

We use this tool before and during laser treatment to keep your skin as numb as possible and minimize discomfort.

Some laser clinics use other methods such as numbing creams, topical anesthetics, or lidocaine injections. Other clinics just apply ice packs and hope for the best.

However, the Zimmer Cryo Cooling System has revolutionized laser tattoo removal treatment. It’s completely non-invasive and much more effective than other numbing solutions.

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Astanza Duality Laser

At LaserAll, we use the state-of-the-art Astanza Duality Laser. This particular laser is used by all of the industry’s top professionals. In combination with the Zimmer Cryo Cooling System, it provides for a much more comfortable experience.

So why is it that our laser causes less pain?

The Astanza Duality Laser combines high-pulse energies with ultra-short pulse durations. This allows us to perform the removal faster and with better results.

The only time you’ll feel pain during laser tattoo removal is when the laser is in direct contact with your skin.

Once the laser is pulled away, you won’t feel any discomfort at all.

The faster your technician works, the less time you’ll spend under the laser. Our state-of-the-art tools allow our technicians to work quickly and efficiently, meaning you’ll experience far less pain.

Ready to commit and get rid of that tattoo?

Schedule an appointment today!

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Your Aftercare Treatment is Extremely Important

While the removal process itself is only a bit uncomfortable, you might experience some pain afterward. The skin usually feels slightly sunburned for 36-48 hours after treatment.

Also, it’s typical for blistering and cabs to appear. These are natural side effects of the healing process and usually subside within a few days. During the meantime, however, they may be painful.

You can avoid pain by following a proper aftercare treatment routine, which includes:

• Not picking scabs. It prevents proper healing (and hurts).
• Drinking lots of water. Hydrates your skin and boosts your body’s immune system.
• Avoiding sun exposure. Sunlight can slow down the recovery process
• Applying vitamin E ointment. Helps to restore damaged skin cells.

If you don’t follow the proper aftercare treatment, you could cause additional – and unnecessary – pain to the skin.

Related: How Active Can I Be After My Tattoo Removal Treatments?

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Here’s the Bottom Line

Laser tattoo removal is not pain-free. Most people experience minor levels of discomfort. But if you could handle the pain of getting a tattoo, you shouldn’t have a problem with this process.

And while getting a tattoo can take hours, laser removal sessions only take a few minutes. The number of sessions ranges depending on your tattoo’s size, but each session is less painful than the last.

If you follow the proper aftercare plan, you’ll only experience pain during those brief moments when you’re actually under the laser. Just make sure to avoid direct sunlight. Even the mildest sunburn makes it harder for the technician to see the ink particles and can prolong the process.

Don’t let your fear of pain prevent you from removing that unwanted tattoo. The feeling of having to look at a tattoo you hate is far worse than spending a few minutes in our clinic, having it removed once and for all!

Looking for laser tattoo removal services in Colorado? We have locations in Fort Collins, Lakewood, Westminster, and Colorado Springs!

Follow us on Instagram to see examples of our work!