I’m Kayla, and yes, I got two tattoos removed. One was tiny and cute. One was bold and loud. I loved them… until I didn’t.
Money talk? Let’s do it. I kept receipts. I even made a little spreadsheet. I’m that person. For a side-by-side look at someone else’s itemized receipts, check out this detailed breakdown of laser-removal expenses: Tattoo Laser Removal Cost: What I Actually Paid.
My quick backstory
- Small tattoo: 1×1 inch black script on my wrist. Done in my early 20s. Cute until it wasn’t.
- Medium tattoo: about 3×4 inches on my shoulder. Red and blue ink. Looked great in summer, then clashed with every dress I owned.
Getting ink removed can cost more than putting it on in the first place—if you’re curious what new (or old) tattoos actually run these days, here’s a no-guesswork guide on how much tattoos cost.
Reading other people’s removal journeys on TattooRoadTrip gave me a sanity check before I shelled out my first dime.
I did the wrist in Austin. I did the shoulder in Chicago after I moved.
The wrist: Austin costs, session by session
Clinic type: med spa with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (the 1064 setting for dark ink).
Consult: free, plus a tiny test spot.
- Sessions: I needed 7. We spaced them 8–10 weeks apart.
- Per session: $175
- Numbing cream: $25 per visit (I skipped the first time, paid for 6 visits)
- Parking: $8 each trip
- Aftercare stuff I bought: Aquaphor $7, big sunscreen SPF 50 $14, extra gauze $11
My total for the wrist:
- Sessions: $175 x 7 = $1,225
- Numbing: $25 x 6 = $150
- Parking: $8 x 7 = $56
- Aftercare: $32
Grand total: about $1,463
How it looked: about 90–95% gone. In bright light, I see a faint haze. No one else notices. I cried a little on session 5 because it looked rough for a week. Then it healed fine. Funny how the mind works.
Pain level? Sharp snap, like a hot rubber band. The cold air hose helped. The numbing cream helped more. I later went down a research rabbit hole on topical anesthetics—this hands-on review was gold: I tried tattoo numbing creams so you don't have to.
The shoulder: Chicago costs, more color, more cash
Clinic type: dermatology office with a PicoWay laser (pico-second tech).
Why that laser? My blue and red ink were stubborn. The doc explained it simply: different colors like different wavelengths.
- Consult: $50, but it went toward the first session
- Sessions: I needed 11 (I know, I know). We spaced them 8–12 weeks at first, then 12–16 weeks later
- Per session: $350
- Extra numbing: They included a basic cream for free. On three longer sessions, I asked for injected numbing. That was $60 each time
- Transit: usually the train, but I did two Ubers after a blister day: $22 and $18
- Aftercare: silicone gel sheets $32, fresh bandages $12
My total for the shoulder:
- Sessions: $350 x 11 = $3,850
- Extra numbing shots: $60 x 3 = $180
- Consult, credited: $0 net
- Ubers: $40
- Aftercare: $44
Grand total: about $4,114
Results: about 85–90% fade. The red went first. The blue hung on like a bad ex. I’m happy, though. I wear tank tops again. You know what? I don’t look twice in mirrors now. That peace was the point.
What I learned about cost, the real stuff
- Size matters, but color matters too. Black is cheaper over time because it clears faster. Blue and green took me more tries.
- The machine matters. Places with Pico lasers were pricier per visit, but I saw better fading on color ink. Q-switched was cheaper and fine for black.
- Skin tone changes the plan. I’m olive (kind of a Fitzpatrick III–IV). They used 1064 nm for black on me because it’s safer for darker tones. That meant more gentle passes, which means more time, which means… more sessions.
- Spacing makes a difference. Longer waits gave me better fades between visits. Cheaper in the long run? Kind of, because I didn’t waste a visit too soon.
- Packages can help. My Austin spot had 6 for $900. I didn’t buy it at first. I should have.
Sample quotes I got (real calls I made)
- Austin med spa: small black tattoo, $150–$200 per session; package discount if you get 6.
- Chicago derm clinic: medium color piece, $300–$450 per session with Pico; consult fee credited to visit 1.
- Small town clinic near Cedar Rapids: $100–$150 for small black ink, older nanosecond machine; no numbing included.
Looking beyond the U.S.? Malaysia’s aesthetic clinics list small black-ink removals starting around RM250–RM450 per session; this clear-eyed breakdown of the tattoo removal cost in Malaysia gives a realistic idea of what you might spend there. Likewise, if you’re based in the Gulf, skim this step-by-step tattoo removal guide for Dubai to see how fees, lasers, and after-care stack up in that market.
Hidden costs I didn’t expect
- Time off work. Redness and swelling days aren’t cute for customer meetings.
- Shirts with sleeves. I bought two light long-sleeve tees to cover scabs. Fashion tax: $28 total.
- Sunscreen. You need it, daily. It protects the fading ink and your skin.
- Reschedule fees. One place charged $25 when I canceled late. Fair, but annoying.
- Tips? I didn’t tip at the derm clinic (medical vibe). I did bring the tech a coffee gift card after my last session. Felt right.
Does it hurt? Quick note, because it ties to money
If you need numbing shots, ask first if there’s a fee. Some include it. Some don’t. Cream helps. Cold air helps. Music helps. I treated it like sprints: 10 seconds on, breathe, go again. Short bursts mean shorter bills, or at least a calmer you.
What I’d tell a friend about price ranges
This is from my bills and my calls. Think per session, and then think total.
- Tiny black (like a ring or word): $100–$250 per session; 4–8 sessions
- Small color: $200–$350 per session; 6–10 sessions
- Medium color piece: $300–$600 per session; 8–12+ sessions
- Add-ons: numbing cream $20–$40, shots $50–$100, consult $0–$75 (often credited)
Yes, it adds up. But seeing clear skin again felt like getting a shelf back in my life. Space for new things.
My simple checklist before you book
- What laser do you use? (Q-switched? Pico? Which wavelengths?)
- Who fires the laser? (Doctor, RN, or trained tech?)
- How much per session, and what counts as “small” or “medium”?
- Is numbing included? If not, how much?
- Do you offer packages? Do unused sessions expire?
- How far apart are visits?
- What’s the cancellation fee?
Write their answers down. I did. People stay honest when you take notes.
Final feelings and a tiny twist
One side effect I didn’t see coming was how much more outgoing I felt socially once the fading really showed. If you’re newly single or just looking to meet people who won’t blink at a scar or a half-gone tattoo, you might appreciate checking out Fuckpal—the platform hosts an open-minded adult community where you can swap candid stories, flirt, and set up casual meet-ups without judgment.
Traveling through South Florida and want a no-pressure way to line up drinks or a spontaneous night out? Browse the local listings on Backpage Miami Gardens to quickly connect with fun, like-minded people and see what events or casual dates are popping off in the area.
Last thing: I thought I’d rush to get new ink. I didn’t. I kept the space. Funny how that works.