Before & After: "I Removed My Pandemic Tattoos"

As we’ve learned from famous cool kids like Pete Davidson to Zoe Kravitz, some ink art is here for a good time, not a long time—despite the whole, uh, permanent factor. Some opt for tattoo removal to nix an ex’s name, a regrettable print or bad memory. For Katie Deutschmann, a senior creator of PR and Communications based in Brooklyn, New York, she realized her pandemic tats weren’t a reflection of who she was anymore. “I decided to do tattoo removal because they didn’t feel like ‘me’. I got four flash style tattoos during the pandemic—three on my inner arms and one on my finger—and over time I realized I didn’t love their placements,” she shared. “They were very visible, and I often found myself reaching for long sleeves or trying to cover them up. When I got engaged, I knew I wanted to feel confident in whatever dress I chose without my tattoos limiting my options.”  

So what is the process of removing tattoos like? I went over the nitty gritty of Deutschmann’s experience from start to finish. 

Laser technology is used to break permanent ink into small particle pieces, so that it's easier for the body to clear it away overtime. The tattoo will begin to fade without any scarring or harm to the top layer of the skin.

The number of sessions depends on multiple factors: age, location, number of tattoos, size, ink color and your skin type (or how quickly the lasers fade your ink). For example, Pete Davidson has over 200 tattoos (which he is trying to remove them all) and started the process back in 2020. 

In Deutschmann’s case, she is still currently on her removal journey for four small tattoos with five visits down, but is looking at the average total of eight to 12 sessions. (Her specialist says she can’t give her a definite number since everyone’s skin and process is different.) 

As for how much it costs, it can depend on the size of your tattoo. The process can range from $200 to $500 per treatment. For context, Deutschmann paid about $314 per session for her small tattoos.

The Consultation

She had a thorough consultation at Removery,  where a laser specialist specialized in this process analyzed her ink. They took note of the size, age of the ink, color, lines and shading into account. “Once the team had all my details, they walked me through the process and pricing options, offered both package plans and per-appointment choices. I ultimately went with the per-appointment schedule because this was a better financial decision for me to space out the cost between appointments,” she added. 

Prepping Before the Appointment

The only thing Deutschmann had to do before her appointment was avoid direct sunlight or tanning for at least three weeks. Once her first session came up, her specialist started by icing and cleaning the area. 

The Laser Removal

Removery uses PicoWay, a type of laser technology that’s meant to remove tattoos with minimal risk of scarring the skin. If you watch enough TikTok videos (like me), you can see how a specialist uses a special tool to breaks down the ink with short (often loud) pulses. The process is repeated in each session until the area is completely cleared. “With each visit, they gradually increase the laser’s intensity so the skin can adjust and the treatment can target the remaining ink more effectively. Even with the higher intensity, I haven’t noticed an increase in pain. Though my skin does get a bit redder after each session, the redness usually fades within 24 hours,” she said. Due to the size of Deutschmann’s tattoos, it took about 15 minutes each session.

But, is it painful? “My tattoos are small, so the pain lasted less than 10 seconds for each tattoo that I was getting removed. I would say it was more uncomfortable than painful. It felt more like you’re getting smacked with a rubber band repeatedly, which of course is not fun, but it was WAY more painful to have them done vs. getting them removed. The pain is relatively the same after each session,” she explained.

Aftercare and Repeat Sessions

Deutschmann experienced some soreness for the first 24 to 48 hours after her removal sessions. As suggested by the specialist, she applied Aquaphor or Vaseline to reduce any dryness or itchiness. Other aftercare tips include keeping the area clean and dry, as well as avoiding direct sun exposure two weeks after the first session. “I learned that your overall health can also contribute to the speed and end result of removal (because it’s your body working in tandem with the laser to flush out the ink!). It was recommended to stay hydrated, eat clean and exercise regularly to boost your immune system throughout the duration of your removal treatment process,” she explained.

Things to Know Before You Get Tattoo Removal

One downside, from Deutschmann’s experience, is the tattoo’s appearance throughout the process. It can look patchy and a bit wonky since you’re walking around with slightly faded ink. However, a little makeup did wonders for hiding her tattoos while she continue attending her sessions. One more thing: Your skin is very sensitive at this time, so avoid direct sunlight on the area. But, what about summertime? Apply some SPF to protect the skin, or Removery suggests some kinesiology tape (used typically to support muscles and reduce pain) to be completely protected while enjoying the sun.