Many tattoo enthusiasts may not know that there is a right and a wrong time of year to get laser removal. Laser removal works most effectively and safely when done on skin that has the least amount of sun damage and technicians will refuse to work on skin that has been burned or blistered. Skin that’s had too much sun exposure can cause extreme reactions when exposed to laser and even result in permanent scarring. This is why it’s recommended that clients get their ink removed during the winter months.

Winter is by far the best time to get a tattoo removed because skin that’s been out of the sun for 3-6 weeks yields the best results. Not to mention, it’s easy to hide away a newly removed tattoo under layers of winter wear, especially if blistering comes into play. Blistering is an unfortunate but natural part of the removal process and these lesions can be seriously unsightly. You don’t want to expose your blisters to the elements or the judgment of the general public—so stick to appointments from October through April.

Getting your removal out of the way in the winter means that by summer, you’ll be able to show off your progress and if you’re lucky—a 100% removed tattoo. So if you plan on having a regrettable tattoo removed in the next year, make your arrangements now because you may have to wait a few months if you procrastinate to the summer. Trust us, this is the best way to go about the removal process.