Two worries stop more people from looking into tattoo removal than any others: that it will be unbearably painful, and that it will leave a scar. Here is what the evidence actually says about both.

Myth: Tattoo removal is unbearably painful

It is uncomfortable, but usually more manageable than getting the tattoo was. Most people compare the sensation to a hot rubber band snapping against the skin. It stings briefly, and a small tattoo can be treated in a few minutes. Numbing cream, cooling devices, and injectable anesthetic all reduce the discomfort. The procedure’s reputation for severe pain traces mostly to older lasers and to treatment done without any numbing.

Myth: It always leaves a scar

Scarring is uncommon with modern laser removal performed by an experienced practitioner. In one review of more than a thousand patients treated with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, fewer than 1 percent developed raised scarring. Most of what patients notice afterward is temporary: redness, or a change in skin texture or color that settles over weeks to months. Scarring becomes more likely with overly aggressive settings, an inexperienced operator, or disrupted healing such as picking at scabs. The belief that removal always scars comes from older methods like acid and dermabrasion, which did.

Myth: It makes skin look aged

Performed correctly, removal usually leaves skin looking normal. Minor texture or pigment changes can occur, but significant aging effects are not typical of current treatment. This concern, like the scarring myth, reflects older methods rather than modern lasers.

Tattoo Takeoff is an independent, research-based resource. It is not a clinic and does not perform removal, and nothing here is medical advice. Risks and results vary from person to person, so consult a qualified, licensed professional about your own situation.

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Last reviewed: June 14, 2026. We update this guide as we learn more.