![\"Should](\"https:\/\/www.saved-tattoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Should-I-Do-the-Tattoo-Removal-Myself.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
Below, we\u2019ve counted down the top 5 best machines for removing tattoos at home. But that might not be the path you should follow. Before we dig in, you need to decide if removing your tattoo is something you should leave to a professional or do yourself.<\/p>\n
Professional laser tattoo removal machine operators have seen it all. So, embarrassment shouldn\u2019t be a deciding factor! Even if your tattoo is an embarrassing design or in an embarrassing location, you shouldn\u2019t be afraid of booking a session at a tattoo removal clinic.<\/p>\n
Trust us, they\u2019ve probably seen a lot <\/em>worse.<\/p>\n Here are the basic pros and cons you should consider.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re planning to go ahead with buying a laser tattoo removal machine, here\u2019s the ultimate buying guide. Read it now to get an idea of what to look for, then bookmark it for later. It will be helpful to refer back to when you\u2019re shopping.<\/p>\n The laser isn\u2019t the table-cutting, high-power laser you\u2019re imagining from James Bond. In fact, it\u2019s closer to the size of the tattoo gun that got you in this mess in the first place!<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve used an IPL treatment to remove body hair at home, you\u2019ll feel a bit more familiar with laser tattoo removers.<\/p>\n These lasers produce shorts bursts of light at different wavelengths. When these light waves are directed at your tattoo, they penetrate the skin and are absorbed by the ink. The light breaks down the ink into smaller particles that are gradually removed by the body and immune system.<\/p>\n The keyword here is gradually<\/strong>. It often takes multiple sessions, particularly if the tattoo is large. It also depends on the color of the ink. Different wavelengths are needed for different colors, as the colors will absorb light differently. Yellow, green and blue inks are usually the most difficult to remove, while black and red are the easiest.<\/p>\n This means the larger, more colorful, and more complex the tattoo, the more sessions you will need to remove it at home.<\/p>\n As for the procedure itself, most people describe it as uncomfortable<\/em> rather than painful. That will depend on your own pain threshold, but if you survived getting the tattoo in the first place, you will be fine!<\/p>\n While old laser tattoo removal machines and surgical removal options can damage your skin, laser tattoo removal is much safer and is less likely to leave permanent damage. The first session might take a week or so to heal, but subsequent sessions will take less and less time. Eventually, the tattoo will have faded completely.<\/p>\n Also Read:\u00a0Is Laser Tattoo Removal Expensive? (And Other Removal Options)<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Much like buying a new laptop or mobile phone, you need to spend some time looking at the features of the device rather than just admiring how it looks! These are the factors you should pay attention to when shopping for a laser tattoo removal machine.<\/p>\n 1. Single and multi-purpose machines<\/strong> \u2013 you might come across many machines that advertise different functions. This isn\u2019t necessarily a sign that the tattoo removal machine is a fake. In fact, the laser technology that removes tattoos can also be very effective on other types of skin conditions and pigmentation. Regardless, it\u2019s always best to choose a tattoo removal machine that\u2019s designed and\/or tested for removing tattoos, so you know that it is effective.<\/p>\n There are two types of laser technology that\u2019s effective at removing tattoos. If a tattoo removal machine doesn\u2019t clearly state which it uses, then avoid it!<\/p>\n Q-switched laser technology<\/strong> is the older of the two. The most common type is the Nd: YAG laser, which usually offers wavelengths of 1064nm, which is perfect for removing black and blue tattoo inks. Nd: YAG Lasers can also have settings that switch the wavelengths to 532nm, which is better for red ink and other warm color shades.<\/p>\n The other type of laser tattoo remover we recommend is picosecond<\/strong>. They are faster and more modern than the Q-switched (which is also why they tend to cost more). The picosecond lasers work in the same way as the Q-switched, but they offer a wider range of wavelengths and operate much faster with higher energy levels. This makes the sessions faster and may even reduce the number of sessions you need to remove an old, densely inked tattoo.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve just touched on wavelengths, but that\u2019s an important thing to consider. If your tattoo only contains black ink, you need a laser with 1064nm wavelengths. If your tattoo contains a range of colors, you\u2019ll need a tattoo removal laser that can switch wavelengths to 532nm for warm sunset colors and 755nm for green and blue colors.<\/p>\n Pulses are the \u201cshots\u201d of light. If you have a 3-pulse setting, every time you fire the laser it will fire 3 shots. The Hz of the machine refers to the speed at which it can fire pulses.<\/p>\n Finally, there\u2019s energy. This will be measured in j\/cm2 or mj, so look for those figures when you compare machines. The higher the energy, the more aggressive (and therefore efficient) the machine is. But this is also determined by the spot size.<\/p>\n The spot size is the area the laser fires at. A larger spot size will fire at more of your tattoo with every pulse\u2026 but often, tattoo removal lasers will have the same level of energy. So, by increasing the spot size, you\u2019ll be spreading the energy across a wider area. Thus, making it less effective.<\/p>\n In terms of energy and spot size, the best tattoo removal laser will have the highest energy levels at the biggest spot size setting.<\/p>\n Ease of use<\/strong> \u2013 buying a technical tattoo removal laser that\u2019s used by professionals might sound great, but what if you can\u2019t work out how to use it? The ease of use is an important consideration. You don\u2019t want to waste money purchasing a laser tattoo removal machine that you can\u2019t actually use!<\/p>\n Double check customer reviews to find out how easy it is to use and contact the manufacturers for detailed guidance and instructions manuals.<\/p>\n Cost<\/strong> \u2013 the cost will vary depending on the brand of the laser machine, the power of it, and what it\u2019s suitable for. A small laser tattoo removal machine to remove eyebrow tattoos will cost a lot less than a professional, clinic-standard large tattoo removal machine!<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BRtGgOyASw3\/<\/p>\n The FDA does <\/strong>regulate laser tattoo removal machines. According to their guide to tattoo removal<\/a>, when a laser tattoo removal machine acquires FDA approval that means that the FDA has checked it\u2019s equivalent to an existing legal machine on the market.<\/p>\n You\u2019re also encouraged to contact the FDA\u2019s MedWatch if you have any problems or severe negative reactions to tattoo removal. It\u2019s important to report these things so that others can avoid those faulty laser tattoo removal machines and stay safe.<\/p>\n Extra Note<\/strong>: the FDA has not approved ANY creams or ointments designed to remove tattoos at home. So, if you see those online, avoid them at all costs!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Besides the FDA, there isn\u2019t a single authority body that regulates and certifies these machines. It\u2019s a good idea to check for clinical studies, however. These will help you understand a bit more about how the machines have been tested before released to the public. They also give you a chance to see how they actually <\/em>perform, if you read between the lines of the study and ignore all the marketing talk from the company.<\/p>\n First things first, read the advice above! If you cannot find any of the important details to consider on the product listing, no matter where it\u2019s for sale, then avoid buying it until the manufacturer can clarify.<\/p>\n Likewise, FDA approval, positive clinical trials, recommendations from real tattooists and tattoo removers, are all things you should look for. If a laser tattoo removal machine doesn\u2019t immediately strike you as safe and professional, it\u2019s best left on the shelf.<\/p>\n Read the manual! Safety procedures may vary from machine to machine. The manufacturer should give you a list of what you can and can\u2019t do, plus operating instructions, so read those before you do anything.<\/p>\n Some tattoo removal lasers will need to be operated by a professionally trained tattoo remover, but in general:<\/p>\n To select these 5 best laser tattoo removal machines, we spent a long time researching! It wasn\u2019t feasible to use and test each laser tattoo removal machine ourselves (we love our tats too much!) so we consulted experts instead. We spoke to professionals who use laser tattoo removal machines to find out their recommendations.<\/p>\n We also dug deeper into the tattoo removal machines on our shortlist, checking the companies behind them to ensure they are reliable and genuine.<\/p>\n As for customer reviews, we reached out to genuine users of each laser tattoo removal machine to find out what they thought. You can\u2019t always trust those suspiciously positive reviews on Amazon anymore!<\/p>\n If you\u2019re planning to find your own laser tattoo removal machine that isn\u2019t on our list, we highly recommend that you follow our buying guide above. Do your research and turn over every stone before you settle on your chosen machine. Otherwise, you risk wasting a lot of money and potentially putting yourself in danger with a faulty or outdated laser.<\/p>\n Be safe!<\/p>\n This Nd: YAG laser is for home use \u2013 but you\u2019d better be prepared to study the user manual that comes with it before you use it! The laser operates with 1064nm and 532nm wavelengths, which makes it ideal for black and red ink colors but not so good for greens and blues. The spot area is adjustable from 1mm to 5mm, which is smaller than average.<\/p>\n In the box, you also get three different heads to use with the laser. One is ideal for dark pigmentation and tattoos, while the other two are designed for freckles and acne.<\/p>\n Overall, this is a better laser tattoo remover for very small tattoos. If you have eyebrow tattoos or small initials or stars somewhere on your body, this will be good enough to remove them. With larger tattoos, it will seemingly take you forever <\/em>just to complete one session.<\/p>\n Extra Tip<\/strong>: this laser tattoo removal machine has a frequency of 1 to 10hz, which is quite slow! This means sessions will take longer than a faster machine. But that\u2019s what you get from a cheaper laser.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n This small, hand-held gadget by NEATCELL is designed to erase skin troubles and pigmentation, including tattoos! The most positive reviews for this device say that it helps to fade away old tattoos inked with black and blue colors.<\/p>\n It\u2019s incredibly <\/em>cheap, especially when you compare it to the tattoo removal machines that they use in clinics, which can cost upwards of $100,000. It\u2019s also from an unknown brand and is made in China.<\/p>\n But many customers still claim that it\u2019s worth it! According to Kevin Gross\u2019s review<\/a>:<\/p>\n \u201c3 sessions using this equals 1 sessions of actual professional tattoo removal\u2026 I would say this is 100% worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n The set includes a pair of glasses (though it would be wise to buy your own that block the blue light from this laser more efficiently), an instructions manual in US English, and USB charging cable.<\/p>\n Warning<\/strong>: while we found many customers who were happy with this tattoo machine and left positive reviews, there\u2019s not much else know about this brand and the tattoo laser itself. Important information like the wavelengths, pulses, energy, etc. are missing from the product information.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Lucid Q PTP laser is a Q switched Nd: YAG tattoo remover with 1064nm and 532nm wavelengths available. It\u2019s a large unit and is designed for professional use within a clinic \u2013 so you may struggle to buy one of these if you want it for home use!<\/p>\n Described as the \u201cfastest laser tattoo removal machine\u201d, this unit is easy to operate, and has smart technology for auto-calibration. Put simply, it\u2019s good for beginners who don\u2019t want to spend all day with their nose in the manual looking for the right instructions.<\/p>\n The speed of this tattoo laser is up to 25hz and it can maintain that speed and energy with spot sizes up to 10mm. That\u2019s good for most tattoo sizes.<\/p>\n Also worth noting is the fractional HP mode which allows this laser to be just as effective at targeting pigmentation in darker skin tones as well as lighter skin tones.<\/p>\n Important Note<\/strong>: if you need the 585nm and 650nm wavelengths for your tattoo colors, you\u2019ll need to buy this as an \u201cadd on\u201d as it\u2019s not included in the standard Lucid Q PTP machine.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n This picosecond hand-held laser pen is designed for erasing small, simple tattoos. If you had eyebrow tattoos or even had your makeup permanently tattooed on your face, then this laser machine is designed to help. You can also use this tattoo remover on beauty marks, birthmarks, age marks, and vascular lesions.<\/p>\n The Youruo portable picosecond laser fires at two different wavelengths, in single or double pulses, at a spot size of 1 to 5mm. That\u2019s quite small! You would struggle to remove a large tattoo with this tiny laser.<\/p>\n We like that the laser unit has a color touch screen that guides you through the process of using it. This makes it one of the easier tattoo removal lasers to use for beginners\u2026 although there is one problem.<\/p>\n It\u2019s described as portable, but it actually isn\u2019t! You will need to plug in this machine to use it at home.<\/p>\n Extra Tip<\/strong>: the Youruo portable laser tattoo machine operates at wavelengths of 1064nm and 532nm, which is great for black inks and warm red colored inks. However, this won\u2019t be very effective on green shades in your tattoo.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n We couldn\u2019t write this guide without including the PicoSure, which is one of the few aesthetic picosecond lasers with an amazing track record. According to Cynosure, clinical data shows better tattoo clearance in fewer treatments.<\/p>\n The PicoSure uses a Focus\u2122\u00a0Lens Array to treat a range of pigmentary conditions, including tattoos. The 755nm wavelength tackles blacks, blues and greens, while the 532nm wavelength will work on reds, oranges and yellows.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, you need to be a professional with a clinic to buy this machine. You also need up to $100,000 spare to buy it\u2026 second hand. Yep, that\u2019s crazy expensive! But this does make sense, as it\u2019s designed for professionals to use regularly on their clients, not just one-off use at home.<\/p>\n Important Note<\/strong>: you cannot buy this laser tattoo removal machine unless you\u2019re a professional with a clinic\u2026 but you can still find those professional who do own it and book sessions with them! This will give you the assurance that the machine is top-quality, even if it does cost more for you that way.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nPros of At-Home Laser Tattoo Removal<\/h3>\n
\n
Cons of At-Home Laser Tattoo Removal<\/h3>\n
\n
Laser Tattoo Removal Machine Buying Guide<\/h2>\n
How does Laser Tattoo Removal work?<\/h3>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/www.saved-tattoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/How-Laser-Tattoo-Removal-Works.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
Important Factors to Consider<\/h3>\n
2. Laser Technology<\/h4>\n
3. Wavelengths, pulses, and energy<\/h4>\n
![\"Wavelengths,](\"https:\/\/www.saved-tattoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Wavelengths-pulses-and-energy-of-laser-tattoo-removal.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
4. Other Considerations<\/h4>\n
Laser Tattoo Removal Machine Certifications?<\/h3>\n
Safety Precautions Before Using a Laser Tattoo Removal Machine<\/h3>\n
![\"Safety](\"https:\/\/www.saved-tattoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Safety-Precautions-Before-Using-a-Laser-Tattoo-Removal-Machine.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
Safety Precautions<\/h4>\n
\n
The Top 5 Best Laser Tattoo Removal Machines 2022: Detailed Reviews<\/h2>\n
1. DONSU Q Switch Laser Tattoo Removal Machine<\/h3>\n
\n
![\"DONSU](\"https:\/\/www.saved-tattoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/DONSU-Q-Switch-Laser-Tattoo-Removal-Machine.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
2. NEATCELL Hand-Held Laser Tattoo Machine<\/h3>\n
\n
![\"NEATCELL](\"https:\/\/www.saved-tattoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/NEATCELL-Hand-Held-Laser-Tattoo-Machine.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
3. Lucid Q PTP Laser Tattoo Removal Machine<\/h3>\n
\n
![\"Lucid](\"https:\/\/www.saved-tattoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Lucid-Q-PTP-Laser-Tattoo-Removal-Machine.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
4. Youruo Portable Laser Tattoo Machine<\/h3>\n
\n
![\"Youruo](\"https:\/\/www.saved-tattoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Youruo-Portable-Laser-Tattoo-Machine.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
5. PicoSure Tattoo Removal Laser by Cynosure<\/h3>\n
\n
![\"PicoSure](\"https:\/\/www.saved-tattoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PicoSure-Tattoo-Removal-Laser-by-Cynosure.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
![\"Laser](\"https:\/\/www.saved-tattoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Laser-Tattoo-Removal-FAQs.jpg\" "\\"\\"")