Tattoos have become increasingly popular over the past few decades. According to surveys, roughly 30% of people aged 18-40 in the United States have at least one tattoo. With so many people getting inked, there has also been an increased demand for tattoo removal services. When it comes to getting an unwanted tattoo removed, one of the most common questions is: which color is the easiest to remove?
How Laser Tattoo Removal Works
Before exploring which colors are the easiest to remove, it helps to understand how laser tattoo removal works. The process uses short pulses of highly concentrated light to break up the tattoo ink in the skin. Different wavelengths of light are used to target different tattoo pigments:
- 695 nm – Red ink
- 755 nm – Blue/black ink
- 1064 nm – Green ink
When the laser hits the ink particles, it shatters them into tiny fragments. These fragments are then removed by the body’s immune system over the following weeks and months. Tattoo removal requires multiple treatments (typically 6-10 sessions) to fully break down and clear all the ink from the skin.
Ranking Tattoo Ink Colors by Ease of Removal
So which colors tend to be the easiest to remove completely? While results can vary on a case by case basis, ink colors can generally be ranked as follows, from easiest to most difficult:
- Red
- Blue/black
- Green
- Purple
- Orange
- Aqua
- White
- Yellow
- Flesh tones
Below is more detail on how the different pigments respond to laser treatment.
Red Ink
Red ink often requires the fewest treatment sessions to fully remove. The 695 nm wavelength laser light is highly absorbed by the red pigment. After 3-5 treatments, most of the red color will have faded away.
Blue/Black Ink
Standard black tattoo ink is essentially dark blue ink. The 755 nm wavelength works well to absorb the blue and black pigments. Removal is usually achieved in 4-8 sessions.
Green Ink
Green ink can be moderately easy to remove in some cases, taking 5-10 sessions. However, because green is a secondary color made from mixing other pigments, there can be cases where it takes longer to fully clear.
Purple Ink
Since purple is a mix of blue and red ink, it often responds fairly well to laser sessions using both 695 nm and 755 nm wavelengths. Complete removal may take 6-12 sessions.
Orange Ink
Orange is a blend of yellows and reds, so it takes targeting both pigments for effective removal. Most cases will require 8-12 sessions to fully fade orange ink.
Aqua Ink
Light blue aqua ink is tricky to remove since it has some stubborn pigments. It often takes 10-15 sessions to fully clear from the skin.
White Ink
White ink is very difficult to remove completely. The titanium dioxide and zinc oxide pigments reflect laser energy rather than absorbing it. Fading can require 12-20 sessions.
Yellow Ink
Yellow ink is notoriously stubborn to erase. As a primary color, it doesn’t break down easily. Expect 15-20 treatments for complete removal.
Flesh Tones
Flesh tone ink blends are designed to match skin color, so they are very hard for the laser to selectively target. Full removal may take 18-25 sessions.
Factors That Affect Ease of Removal
While ink color is the biggest factor, there are some other considerations that can impact the number of sessions needed:
- Age of tattoo – The older it is, the easier removal tends to be
- Amount of ink – Heavily saturated tattoos take longer
- Location on body – Areas with better circulation/lymph drainage see faster fading
- Skin type – Paler skin types tend to have more success
- Depth of ink – Superficial ink clears quicker than deep ink
- Ink brand/quality – Amateur inks often remove easier than professional
- Immune response – A healthy immune system helps efficiently clear ink
Summary of Ease of Removal by Color
To summarize the typical order of tattoo ink colors from easiest to hardest to remove:
| Color | Ease of Removal | Estimated Sessions Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Easiest | 3-5 sessions |
| Blue/Black | Slightly more difficult | 4-8 sessions |
| Green | Moderately easy | 5-10 sessions |
| Purple | Moderate difficulty | 6-12 sessions |
| Orange | Moderately challenging | 8-12 sessions |
| Aqua | Very difficult | 10-15 sessions |
| White | Extremely challenging | 12-20 sessions |
| Yellow | Most difficult | 15-20 sessions |
| Flesh tones | Hardest to remove | 18-25 sessions |
Conclusion
In summary, red ink is generally the easiest to remove, followed by blue/black ink. On the other end of the spectrum, yellow, flesh tones, and white are usually the most stubborn and challenging to erase completely. Factors like age, saturation, skin type, and ink quality can also impact the ease of removal and number of sessions required. With persistence and the right laser wavelength, even difficult colors can be successfully treated, although it may take quite a few treatments to see complete clearance.
When considering getting a tattoo, it can be helpful to keep the potential difficulty of future removal in mind. Opting for simpler designs in bolder reds, blacks, and blues may make the tattoo easier to change or erase down the road if desired. Consulting with an experienced laser technician beforehand can also give more personalized advice based on your specific skin tone and planned ink colors. With the popularity of tattooing continuing to increase, being informed on removal options is wise if you ever decide to get inked.