Quick answer: Most tattoos need 4 to 8 laser sessions to fade fully, and many clients see clear fading after 2 to 3 sessions. Each visit takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on the size of the tattoo. The laser treats black, blue, green, red and multicolor ink on both professional and amateur tattoos. Right now your first session is $50 off, and multi-session packages are available. Call (708) 229-8800 or book online for a free consultation.
4.9 stars across 288+ verified reviews · 16+ years in Orland Park · Licensed, certified technicians · Medical-grade laser technology · Free consultation
This guide goes with our laser tattoo removal service page. If you are also thinking about fixing texture or old scars, see our skin resurfacing options.
Ready to let go of old ink? Get a free tattoo assessment and a session estimate. Call (708) 229-8800 · Book online
Serving the Southwest Suburbs, Town by Town
| Area | Includes | Drive to us | Why clients come in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orland Park | Orland Park, Orland Hills | 5 to 10 min | Full removal, fading before a cover-up |
| Lockport and Homer Glen | Lockport, Homer Glen | 15 to 25 min | Old or amateur tattoos, career changes |
| Mokena and New Lenox | Mokena, New Lenox | 15 to 25 min | Name tattoos, fading for new artwork |
| Tinley Park | Tinley Park, Oak Forest | 10 to 15 min | Hand, wrist and finger tattoos |
| Frankfort | Frankfort, Frankfort Square | 15 to 20 min | Small visible tattoos before weddings or events |
| Palos Heights | Palos Heights, Palos Park, Palos Hills | 10 to 15 min | Faded or blurred older tattoos |
14360 South La Grange Rd, Unit D, Orland Park, IL 60462 · Open Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM
How Laser Tattoo Removal Actually Works
Tattoo ink sits in the deeper layer of your skin in particles too large for your body to clear on its own. The laser sends very short pulses of energy into the ink, which break those particles into much smaller pieces. Over the following weeks, your immune system carries the broken-up ink away.
That is why tattoo removal happens in stages. The laser does the breaking, and your body does the clearing. Each session breaks up another layer of ink, and the tattoo gets lighter between visits, not just on the day of treatment.
Why Every Tattoo Needs a Different Number of Sessions
| Factor | Fewer sessions | More sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Ink color | Black and dark blue | Green, light blue, yellow, some reds |
| Tattoo age | Older, already faded | Newer, bright and fresh |
| Who did it | Amateur (less ink, shallower) | Professional (dense, deep ink) |
| Location | Closer to the heart (chest, upper arm, neck) | Hands, feet, ankles (lower circulation) |
| Layers | Single tattoo | Cover-up tattoos with old ink underneath |
| Your health habits | Non-smoker, active, well hydrated | Smoking, which can slow ink clearance |
At your free consultation, we look at your tattoo and give you an honest estimate based on these factors.
Want to know your number? Send a photo or stop in for a free tattoo assessment. Call (708) 229-8800 · Book online
Full Removal or Fading for a Cover-Up?
| Goal | Best when | Typical plan |
|---|---|---|
| Full removal | You want clear skin with no visible ink | The full series, usually 4 to 8 sessions |
| Fading for a cover-up | You want new artwork over the old tattoo | Fewer sessions, just enough to lighten old ink so your artist has more freedom |
| Partial removal | You want to remove one part, such as a name, and keep the rest | Targeted sessions on the section only |
If you are planning a cover-up, talk to your tattoo artist first. They can tell you how light the old tattoo needs to be, and we plan the sessions around that.
What to Expect Over the Series
| Stage | What you will notice |
|---|---|
| Right after a session | The tattoo turns white or frosted for a few minutes, then red and slightly swollen |
| First few days | Redness, swelling and possibly light scabbing or small blisters as the skin heals |
| Weeks after | The tattoo slowly lightens as your body clears the broken-up ink |
| After sessions 2 to 3 | Most clients see clear fading |
| Final sessions | The remaining ink breaks up and fades toward clear skin |
Your sessions are spaced several weeks apart so your skin can heal and your body has time to clear ink. Your technician sets the exact spacing for your tattoo.
Does It Hurt?
Most clients describe it as a rubber band snapping against the skin. It is quick and very manageable, and we offer numbing cream for extra comfort. Small tattoos take just a few minutes, and even larger pieces usually take under 30 minutes.
Cost of Laser Tattoo Removal
- Your first session is $50 off for a limited time.
- Multi-session packages are available with flexible pricing.
- The price per session depends mainly on tattoo size. We quote it at your free consultation, so you know the full cost before you start.
- See our pricing page and current Hot Deals, or ask whether a membership makes sense if you plan other treatments too.
Tattoo Removal Aftercare
- Keep the area clean, dry and lightly covered for the first few days.
- Do not pick at scabs or pop blisters. Let them heal on their own.
- Avoid hot tubs, swimming pools and long hot showers until the skin has healed.
- Keep the area out of the sun and wear SPF 30+ once healed.
- Drink plenty of water and stay active. Good circulation helps your body clear ink.
- Call us if you notice anything unusual while healing.
The Best Season to Start
| Season | What to know |
|---|---|
| Fall | The ideal time to start. Less sun exposure, and long sleeves cover treated areas. |
| Winter | Great for sessions. Healing skin stays covered and out of the sun. |
| Spring | Keep going with your series, but start protecting treated skin from the sun. |
| Summer | Possible, but you must keep the area covered and out of the sun. Pools and lakes are off-limits while healing. |
Start this fall and you can be several sessions in before summer comes around.
After the Ink Is Gone: Smoothing the Skin
Once the tattoo is gone, most skin returns to normal. If you notice any leftover texture or light unevenness, microneedling or fractional CO2 laser resurfacing can help smooth it. Not sure which is right? Our guide to Chemical Peel vs Microneedling vs Laser Resurfacing explains the difference.
Why Southwest Suburbs Clients Choose Oxygen Med Spa
- 16+ years in Orland Park, serving the southwest suburbs since 2008
- 4.9 stars across 388+ verified reviews on Google, Yelp and Vagaro
- Licensed, certified technicians using medical-grade laser technology
- Honest session estimates at a free consultation before you commit
- Real results you can see in our before and after gallery
About the Author
This guide was written by the laser team at Oxygen Med Spa in Orland Park, who have provided laser treatments for clients across the southwest suburbs since 2008. It is general information, not medical advice. Your treatment plan is set after an in-person assessment.
Laser Tattoo Removal FAQs
How many sessions does laser tattoo removal take?
Most tattoos need 4 to 8 sessions. Color, age, size and location all change the number.
When will I see results?
Most clients see clear fading after 2 to 3 sessions.
Does laser tattoo removal hurt?
It feels like a rubber band snap. It is quick, and numbing cream is available.
Can colored tattoos be removed?
Yes. We treat black, blue, green, red and multicolor ink. Some colors, like green and light blue, can take more sessions than black.
Will it leave a scar?
Scarring is rare with proper aftercare. Do not pick at scabs or blisters, and keep the area out of the sun.
Can you remove amateur or homemade tattoos?
Yes. Amateur tattoos often have less ink and can fade faster than professional ones.
Can you just fade my tattoo for a cover-up?
Yes. Fading usually takes fewer sessions than full removal.
Is laser tattoo removal safe on darker skin?
Yes, with the right settings. We assess your skin tone at your consultation and adjust the treatment for it.
Can I remove part of a tattoo, like a name?
Yes. We can treat one section and leave the rest of the tattoo alone.
How much does tattoo removal cost?
It depends on tattoo size. Your first session is currently $50 off, and multi-session packages are available.
Can I get a new tattoo in the same spot?
Yes, once the skin has fully healed. Ask your artist how long they want you to wait.
Do you see clients from Lockport, Mokena and New Lenox?
Yes, along with Orland Park, Tinley Park, Frankfort, Homer Glen, Palos Heights and the rest of the southwest suburbs.
How do I book?
Call (708) 229-8800 or book online. Your first step is a free consultation.
Book Your Free Tattoo Removal Consultation
Book online · Call (708) 229-8800 · 14360 South La Grange Rd, Unit D, Orland Park, IL 60462 · Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM
Related: laser tattoo removal · microneedling · CO2 resurfacing · skin resurfacing · laser hair removal · pricing · gallery · contact us
Links to add from existing pages (Blog 2)
| Add a link from | Where to put it and anchor text |
|---|---|
| Tattoo Laser Removal page | In the FAQ or near the session count: “how many tattoo removal sessions you need” |
| Skin Resurfacing page | In the body: “smoothing skin after tattoo removal” |
| Microneedling page | In the body: “texture after laser tattoo removal” |
| Peel vs Microneedling vs Laser blog | In the laser section: “laser tattoo removal guide” |
Check with the spa before publishing:
- The $50-off first session offer is still running.
- The spacing they use between sessions (I kept it as “several weeks”).
- The drive times in the town table (check them in Google Maps).
