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Does Laser Tattoo Removal Hurt?
If you’ve heard about laser tattoo removal, you might have heard it’s painful, but that’s not always true, pain tolerance varies for everyone. Do you feel a lot of discomfort when getting a tattoo, or did you handle it pretty well? The pain level during removal will likely be similar to what you experienced when getting your tattoo.
How Clients Describe Laser Tattoo Removal
"It feels like a rubber band snapping against my skin"
"It’s like tiny, hot pinpricks hitting the same spot"
"I’d say it’s a quick sting, kind of like getting flicked really hard"
"On a scale of 1 to 10, probably a 4 or a 5"
"It’s tolerable, just a quick jolt that makes you wince"
"It’s a weird mix of burning and stinging that fades fast"
So, How Bad is it Really?
Most clients say laser tattoo removal feels less painful than getting the tattoo itself. The sensation comes in short bursts, each laser pulse lasts just a fraction of a second. Think of it like a quick snap or sting that fades fast. Factors like tattoo size and location (bony areas might feel it more) can tweak the intensity, but sessions are usually over in minutes. Plus, we’ve got your back with numbing options to dial it down.
What Influences Pain Levels?
Tattoo Size
Bigger tattoos mean longer sessions, not sharper pain, but you feel it for longer.
Location
Bony spots often hurt a little bit more, however, places that have more tissue, like thighs, tend to hurt less.
Age of Tattoo
Older ink has usually faded somewhat, meaning less ink to interact with the laser and fewer sessions, causing less pain.
Pain Tolerance
We are all unique and some people just feel things differently, what hurts for some may not feel like much for others.
Laser Energy Levels
Some tattoos require higher fluences to get a reaction with the laser, higher the energy, higher the pain.
So Where Does it Hurt the Most?
The pain from laser tattoo removal varies by body location, with some areas feeling it more intensely due to skin thickness, nerve density and bone proximity.
Here’s where it tends to hurt the most:
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Ribs: Thin skin over bones amplifies the sting.
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Ankles: Little cushioning means the laser’s pulses hit harder.
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Wrists (Inner): Nerve-packed and delicate, expect a crisp jolt.
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Neck: Sensitive skin here makes every zap stand out.
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Hands/Fingers: Thin, bony surfaces may increase discomfort.
Where Does it Hurt the Least?
While laser tattoo removal can sting, some body locations feel it far less due to thicker skin and more natural padding.
Here’s some typically less painful spots:
Thighs: Plenty of flesh cushions the laser’s impact, mild and mellow.
Upper Arms: Muscle and tissue soften the pulses to a gentle flick.
Lower Back: Thick skin here keeps discomfort low and subtle.
Buttocks: Extra padding makes it one of the least painful.
Calves: Solid tissue absorbs the zap, causing just a light sensation.
Compared to bony or nerve-heavy areas, these spots are a breeze. We still recommend numbing and cooling to ensure your comfort, no matter the location.
It's Similar to When You Got Your Tattoo
Check out the tattoo pain chart above. Its shows the most and least sensitive areas when getting a tattoo. Getting laser removal is the same, places with thick skin often hurt the least. Whereas places with thin skin and close to the bone may hurt a little more. A lot of people say laser removal is easier to do than actually getting a tattoo. It's personal and everyone manages pain differently.
If you were tough enough to get the tattoo, your definitely tough enough to have it removed. Its also over in seconds most of the time, much faster than when you got the tattoo.
Does Laser Tattoo Removal Hurt?
If you’ve heard about laser tattoo removal, you might have heard it’s painful, but that’s not always true, pain tolerance varies for everyone. Do you feel a lot of discomfort when getting a tattoo, or did you handle it pretty well? The pain level during removal will likely be similar to what you experienced when getting your tattoo.
What You Can Do to Manage Pain
Numbing Cream: Apply 45 minutes before your laser session to reduce discomfort.
Distraction Techniques: Ask us to put on a song that helps you to relax, or you can keep chatting with us, whatever makes you more comfortable.
Breathing: Deep breathes help you relax and reduce anxiety.
Paracetamol: Taken 30-60 minutes before your session can help with pain management.
Following Aftercare: Keeping the area moisturised and away from the sun helps with healing and reducing discomfort. We provide you with all the after care tips you need to have a smooth experience.
Staying Healthy: The healthier you are, the better your body heals itself, this helps with the healing process and also reduces your discomfort post treatment.
How CliniClear Makes Your Experience More manageable
Cryo Cooling: We use a cooling device that blasts cold air onto your tattoo before, during and after treatment. This can make the procedure less painful, reduce the already low risk of complications further and contribute to better healing.
Session time: Laser sessions are fast, usually a few seconds to a minute depending on the size of your tattoo. We also have a fast repetition laser of up to 10Hz which can greatly speed up the process.
Correct Energy Levels: We don't just go in with the highest laser energy possible thinking this will remove your tattoo faster. Technicians who do this raise the risk of burns and scars significantly. What we do is patch test the area before your treatment and find the sweet spot to get noticeable clearance without the added risk.
Provide Breaks: Whenever you feel like you need a break during your session, just let us know and we'll give you some time before continuing.
Care Guidelines: We have put together a comprehensive pre and post treatment care plan so you get the best treatment and healing possible. You can find them here Pre-care Guidelines and Post-care Guidelines.
Are You Ready to Say Goodbye to Your Tattoo?
The discomfort is manageable and now that you understand the pain and how we minimise it, reach out to us. We offer free consultations to get you started.
