We all experience moments of regret; maybe that person’s name on your wrist isn’t in the picture anymore, or maybe that rock band that you wanted to commemorate on your arm is no longer in your top five rotation. Whatever the reason and whatever the ink, there are real advancements in technology today that allow you to zap it away from the comfort of your home.
If you’re considering doing your laser tattoo removal at home with a personal machine, check out our recommendations for the best machines on the market.
Table of Contents (clickable)
Related: Best Tattoo Removal Cream
Best Laser Tattoo Removal Machines Reviews
Neatcell Skin Spot Removal Pen 2. 0 - Our Pick!
Neatcell topped our list because it’s inexpensive and proven to be effective. Using red and blue light pulse options, Neatcell can adjust to combat the specific ink colour you need eliminated and leaves no scars upon removal.
Neatcell’s lasers don’t use heat but rather ultra-short laser pulses. These break down the target particles (ie. the ink of your tattoo) causing them to disappear. It may be small but it packs a powerful punch, so we recommend reading the instructions carefully and not using the highest setting.
People are amazed by the effectiveness of this product, saying, “Laser was very powerful. Even the minimum settings hammer strong. About the effectiveness so far; take a couple of months and you will see the effect immediately. Really works! ! ”
After the third session
Cost: $
Specifications: Red light: puls 1-88j/c m2 power, 1600W wavelength, 755mm. Blue light: pulse 1-88j/c m2 power, 1600W wavelength 755mm. Laser emission times: 2,000,000 rounds, working frequency: 1-9hz.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Very portable
- FDA approved
- Shows legitimate results and positive usage reviews
- Blue and red light lasers for different color removal
Cons:
- Small, so it may take a while to use on bigger tattoos
- Can burn yourself on the highest setting; read instructions carefully
- Can only be purchased from their website
Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser Tattoo Removal Machine
Q-Switched has a user-friendly touch-screen system that makes it easy to select exactly what you need for the size, color, and placement of your tattoo that you want removed. It has a dual laser system that can be switched to combat blue and black tattoos and red and orange tattoos.
It doesn’t cause any scarring when used, and has an amazing infra-red indicator that is helpful for location and spot accuracy in the removal process. Using the Q-Switched system, tattoos can be removed in one to four sessions (with 30 to 60 day intervals).
Cost: $$$$
Specifications: Red light: 532nm wavelength. Blue light: 1064nm wavelength. Pulse width: 10ns, repetition rate: 1-6Hz. Semiconductor water cooling system.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use touch-screen
- Adjustable according to tattoo needs
- Effective in minimal sessions
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Can only be purchased from specific websites
Youruo Removal Machine, Multi-Functional Picosecond
The Youruo Removal Machine is safe enough to be used on face tattoos as well as body tattoos. It has three probes that are specialized for the specific intensity of tattoo pigments. The color screen makes it easy to adjust according to your needs and the foot pedal allows for easy control.
The laser pulse sizes are quite small which make it a bit difficult for usage on larger tattoos, but if you have the patience, it’s an effective option.
Cost: $
Specifications: Wavelength: 1320nm, 1064nm, 532nm. Pulse energy: 0~2000mj, frequency: 10Hz.
Pros:
- Great for various skin conditions
- Fast heat dissipation
- Does not cause scarring
- Great for small tattoos or face tattoos
Cons:
- You need to add water for the cooling system and must be careful not to close to inlet
- Very small laser diameter
- It weighs quite a bit
- Difficult to find online
Mini Portable Tattoo Removal Equipment by Biotechnique Avance
This tattoo removal machine by Biotechnique Avance not only removes tattoo pigment, it can also be used for specific beauty treatments; you merely adjust the setting for the application you require. This removal device also comes with their own brand of treatment gel to ease the pain of the process.
The instruction manual makes it easy to use and it guarantees a safe and risk-free process, no matter where on the body it's used. It can be used at home or for a salon, without needing additional training certification.
Cost: $$$$
Specifications: Wavelength: 1320nm, 1064nm, 532nm. Pulse energy: 0~2000mj, frequency: 10Hz.
Pros:
- Includes a 6oz supply of treatment gel
- Strong enough for salon use, but safe enough for home use
- Free international shipping and one year warranty
Cons:
- Very expensive
Our Pick - Neatcell Skin Spot Removal Pen 2. 0
Neatcell is a go-to for at-home tattoo removal treatments because it’s portable, it’s inexpensive, and it’s just as effective as machines that cost ten times the price. Neatcell breaks apart tattoo ink into small particles that dissipate over time and it leaves your skin glowing, in the process.
It’s designed with sensitive skin in mind and allows you to adjust the intensity of the laser according to the application needs that you have. There is some pain to be felt (as with any laser removal machine) but it’s tolerable, and so long as you keep the pen below its highest setting, you will not experience blistering or scarring.
It’s conveniently powered with a USB cable which makes it a cable-free device, with a decent battery life. Unlike larger machines, it does not require a water-filled cooling system.
What we love about Neatcell is:
- It’s convenient travel size
- It brightens skin with each treatment
- It’s easy-to-use with multiple settings for various needs
- It comes with detailed instructions and how-to-use videos
- It’s extremely inexpensive for how effective it is
- It has two different color lasers for different ink pigments
- There are case studies and multiple reviews to support the effectiveness of this device
What We Consider When Selecting The Best Laser Tattoo Removal Machines
When we select the machines that will be best for at-home usage, we take into consideration a few important factors.
Q-Switching
This is the specific technology that helps break apart tattoo pigments. It’s a quick and powerful pulse that cannot be found in standard hair removal devices, and many of the devices on the market advertised for tattoo removal do not use this technology. Smaller heads and more focused lasers generally use this type of pulse, which means that larger tattoos may take longer, but it’s worth the time for the efficiency.
Peak Power
Many laser tattoo removal machines show efficiency following the first session but then do not repeat this for deeper-set pigment, leaving the tattoo half-faded and not fully removed. We selected machines with higher peak power for complete removal.
Wavelengths
The machines on our list use red and blue laser wavelengths, meaning they are able to tackle the darkest black and blue tattoos while also being adjusted to manage red and yellow-toned tattoos.
Easy-To-Use
Ease of use is important to us, because doing these procedures on yourself can be a bit scary. We selected machines with clear instructions and touch-screen selections that simplify the tattoo removal process.
Price Range
The items that made our list vary in price but not in efficiency, allowing you to select what fits within your budget and is optimized to your specific needs.
Should I Do the Tattoo Removal Myself?
If you are considering laser tattoo removal and deciding between at-home removal or using professional removal services, here are a few factors to consider.
Pros of At-Home Laser Tattoo Removal
- It is private, especially if you have a tattoo that embarrasses you.
- The upfront cost is usually less than multiple sessions at a clinic.
- Personal use lasers are weaker and therefore less painful than clinic lasers.
- You can work in sessions according to what you are most comfortable with or are able to handle.
- Because the lasers are quite weak, there is no real harm in trying to use them to remove your tattoo, yourself.
Cons of At-Home Laser Tattoo Removal
- The weaker lasers in personal machines mean they might be ineffective “The lasers made for home use generally just can't penetrate at the depth needed to break up the tattoo pigment,” says James Tidwell, MD.
- You do not have access to the professional numbing agents used during a session at a clinic.
- You cannot do removals on hard-to-reach tattoos yourself.
- After you’ve used the machine, you have no further use for it; a wasted cost.
- The cost of a professional removal may be a better investment than a machine that produces no results.
Our Final Thoughts
Be sure to carefully read the instructions of any laser tattoo removal machine you intend to use. After doing a removal procedure session on yourself, you should always wait the recommended time before proceeding with a second round. It is also recommended that you take time to rest, hydrate, and use a broad spectrum sunscreen on the tattoo between your sessions. Do not use any ointments or antibacterial products on the treated site.
Attempting laser tattoo removal at home requires careful research, and it’s always recommended that you discuss this removal decision with a trained professional.
