If you have a tattoo you regret — or one you'd love to cover with something new — you've probably wondered whether laser tattoo removal actually works. The short answer is yes, and at Modified Tattoo Gallery in Winter Park, FL, our technicians are experienced tattoo artists who understand ink from the inside out. Here's how it works and what you can realistically expect.
How laser tattoo removal works
Laser removal sends quick, high-powered pulses of light into the skin. The tattoo ink absorbs that energy and shatters into tiny particles, which your body's immune system then flushes away naturally over the following weeks. Your tattoo fades a little more after each session as your body clears the broken-up ink.
Why it takes multiple sessions
Tattoos are built in layers, and your body can only clear so much ink at once. That's why removal happens over several sessions spaced about 6–8 weeks apart — enough time for your skin to recover and your immune system to do its work between treatments.
The number of sessions varies for everyone and depends on your tattoo's:
- Age and how faded it already is
- Size and ink density
- Colors (some are harder to remove than others)
- Depth in the skin
- Your skin tone and any pre-existing scarring
Can you remove every color?
This is where technology matters. Many removal lasers only offer two wavelengths and struggle with blues and greens. We use the Astanza Trinity, a triple-wavelength laser that targets black and brown ink (1064 nm), warm reds/oranges/yellows (532 nm), and stubborn blues, purples and greens (694 nm) — giving us full-spectrum coverage on virtually every ink color.
Does it hurt?
Most clients compare it to a rubber band snapping against the skin — similar to getting tattooed. We use the Zimmer Cryo 6 cooling machine, which blows freezing air onto the skin before, during, and after each pass to keep you comfortable.
Complete removal vs. fading for a cover-up
You don't always need full removal. If you're planning a cover-up, we only need to fade the old tattoo enough for your artist to design something new over it — usually far fewer sessions. Because our team both tattoos and removes ink, we can plan the whole journey with you.
Is it affordable?
Pricing is based on the size of your tattoo, and we offer per-session pricing, discounted packages, and a complete-removal option. We also offer Cherry financing so you can spread the cost into monthly payments. See the full breakdown on our laser tattoo removal page.
Get started
Every removal plan begins with a free consultation where we assess your tattoo and set realistic expectations. Learn more about laser tattoo removal or check our FAQ for more answers.