Removing Old, Faded Tattoos — Why Fewer Sessions Are Often Needed
Reviewed By
Dr Vishal Patel
BDS Liverpool · MSc Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry Manchester · GDC 103127 · AACD Member · Invisalign Diamond II Provider · IFAAS (International Fellowship in Advanced Aesthetic Science) · Facial anatomy & cadaver course, Dr Ali Pirayesh, University of Amsterdam · Harley Academy foundation training in injectable aesthetics · IBSA-trained (Profhilo) · NeoStrata-trained (skin peels) · Lynton Lasers trained, incl. ONDA
Last Updated
September 15, 2026
Age works in your favour. The good news most clinics underplay — and the honest caveats that still apply.
Old, faded tattoos often clear in fewer sessions than new ones. Years of natural immune clearance, shallower ink position, and partly broken-down pigment particles all work in your favour. At Dental & Wellness London we often see fewer sessions for older, faded work. We use a Q-switched laser, and a free patch test lets us give you a realistic, honest estimate before any commitment. Tattoo removal starts from £750 per course of up to 10 appointments.
Heading
- Old faded tattoos typically need fewer sessions than new ones
- Immune system has already cleared some pigment
- Q-switched laser (nanosecond pulses)
- Often fewer sessions, spaced 6–8 weeks apart
- From £750 per course of up to 10 appointments
- Free patch test at consultation
- Honest assessment, no fixed promises
Further reading
Years of natural clearance
Shallower placement
Smaller clusters
Age works in your favour with tattoo removal — the honest caveats still apply: colour, density and depth remain individual, which is why every course starts with a patch test rather than a fixed promise.
| Consultation & Patch Test | Free patch test and realistic session estimate. We assess your specific ink, colour, and any hidden layers before committing. |
| Treatment Course | Q-switched laser sessions spaced 6-8 weeks apart. Each session shatters pigment into fine particles for immune clearance. Older tattoos often fade in fewer sessions, though results vary. |
| Aftercare & Clearance | Your body clears broken-down pigment between sessions. Follow-up care includes sun avoidance and gentle skincare. Full results visible 6-12 months after last session. |
Transparent pricing
Prices are set out below. Your written plan confirms the fee before any treatment begins.
| Metric | Price (Per Course) |
|---|---|
| Tattoo removal | From £750 per course of up to 10 appointments |
| Patch test | Free |
| Large, multi-colour or full-sleeve work | Quoted in writing after assessment |
| Finance | 0% APR finance over 12 months via Tabeo, subject to status |
0% APR finance over 12 months via Tabeo, subject to status.
Our happy patients,
in their own words
Questions
people ask
If your question isn't answered here, call reception on 020 8127 4567 or email reception.
Are old tattoos easier to remove than new ones?
Usually, yes. An old tattoo has already faded because your immune system has been clearing pigment for years, so there's less ink left, sitting higher and looser in the skin. That typically means fewer sessions — often around four to six — than a dense new tattoo of the same size. Colour and any hidden cover-up layers can still affect the count.
How many sessions to remove a faded tattoo?
For a typical old, faded black tattoo, we usually estimate around four to six sessions spaced six to eight weeks apart. Coloured ink, amateur work or a cover-up hiding an older tattoo can change that, which is why we confirm a realistic range at a free patch test before you commit.
My tattoo is over 20 years old — can it still be removed?
Almost always, and often more easily than you'd expect. Decades of natural fading work in the laser's favour. The main things we check are whether any colour remains, whether it's an amateur tattoo, and whether there's a second tattoo underneath — all assessed at consultation.
Will an old tattoo clear completely or just fade further?
Many old black tattoos can be cleared close to invisible. Some residual colour or very old uneven pigment may fade substantially without reaching absolute zero. We give you an honest expectation at the patch test rather than promising total clearance sight unseen.
Is removing an old tattoo less painful because it's faded?
The sensation is similar regardless of age — brief and manageable with cooling, comparable to the original tattooing. The advantage of an old tattoo isn't a gentler session; it's usually needing fewer of them.
Book a consultation and patch test
If you have an old tattoo you have been putting off dealing with, book a consultation (£65, redeemable against treatment) and a free patch test. We will give you an honest read on how it will respond and a realistic session estimate before you commit to anything.
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