Frequently Asked Questions

5 to 10 treatments are usually required for complete removal and 2 to 4 treatments for fading and lightening. During your initial consultation, Stage Left will assess your tattoo using a variety of factors to determine best the number of treatments you will need to achieve your desired results. These factors include the age, size, and location of your tattoo, the ink density and depth, individual health, skin type, and more. 

Complete results are dependent on the number of treatments your tattoo is assigned times the 6 to 8 week healing period between treatments. For someone with 3 treatments, that might mean 4 to 5 months, but for someone with 8 treatments, that might mean a little over a year. Overall, every client can attest that the results are well worth the wait! 

Most laser tattoo removal patients say the laser sensation is tolerable and feels like a rubber band continuously snapping against the skin. Depending on your pain tolerance, the laser can feel similar to getting a tattoo applied. However, contrary to getting a tattoo, laser tattoo removal treatments are very fast and last anywhere from a few seconds to 15 minutes, depending on the tattoo size. 

Stage Left specializes in fading tattoos for a cover-up. Without laser tattoo removal, cover-up tattoos are limited in color and size and are usually limited to a large, heavily pigmented black tattoo with few details. Cover-up tattoos are much easier to administer after the original tattoo has been lightened. Laser tattoo removal creates a cleaner canvas for tattoo artists to work on, giving them more flexibility and creativity with your new tattoo.

Our Shelbyville shop also offers selective tattoo removal for customers who wish to remove a part of their tattoo (i.e., script, name, or a small element) while leaving the surrounding tattoo unharmed.

Stage Left offers free laser tattoo removal consultations and affordable pricing. We price individual treatments based on the size of the tattoo being removed. Therefore, pricing increases proportionally to the tattoo size. We also provide treatment packages and discounts to help you save. 

Laser tattoo removal is the safest method for removing tattoos. Our Duality laser is FDA-approved and used by leading laser tattoo removal practitioners worldwide. Our expertly trained laser technicians have the designations of Certified Laser Specialist (CLS) and Laser Safety Officer (LSO). They use custom protocols for your unique tattoo and skin type to ensure the best treatment and results.

The side effects of laser treatment in some individuals are temporary redness, itchiness, swelling, blistering, scabbing, and pigmentation changes. These side effects are natural signals that your immune system is working to remove the shattered ink from your skin. They are all temporary and should go away within the weeks following each treatment. As long as you follow the detailed aftercare instructions we provide, you should see great results.