By the EradiTatt team · Laser tattoo removal specialists in Tampa Bay and Orlando since 2015
Short answer: Yes, neck tattoos can be removed with a laser, and the neck is usually a good place to treat. Most clients need 8 to 12 sessions spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart for full removal, so plan on roughly a year to a year and a half. At EradiTatt, price depends only on size: from $100 a session for a tattoo smaller than a quarter to $600 for one up to the size of a sheet of paper, with 20% off when you buy 4 sessions. Each appointment takes about 5 to 15 minutes, and we cool the skin with a Zimmer Cryo 6 during treatment. The thin skin, constant sun and the collars and razors that rub against it are what make the neck different, and they change how you care for it between sessions. This guide covers all of it, with our Orlando clinic on Turkey Lake Road as the featured location.
Key takeaways
- Can it be removed? Yes. Black script, small symbols, nape designs and colorful pieces on the neck can all be treated with our PiQo4 laser, which has 4 wavelengths and both picosecond and nanosecond pulses.
- Sessions: most clients need 8 to 12 for full removal, spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart. Fading for a cover-up usually takes fewer.
- Cost: by size only. Most neck tattoos fall in our X-Small to Medium tiers ($175 to $300 a session); a large throat or full-neck piece can be Large or X-Large.
- Pain: the front of the neck is one of the more sensitive spots, but each session is short and the skin is cooled with cold air the whole time.
- Aftercare: keep the area covered for 2 to 3 days, skip exercise for 24 hours, and keep it out of the sun. On the neck, that also means watching collars, razors and fragrance.
- Specialists: tattoo removal is all we do. Treatments are performed by owner Melissa Hoperich, FNP.
- Savings: 15% off for military and veterans, and a $50 credit when a friend you refer books.
A neck tattoo is hard to hide. It shows above a dress shirt, in every video call and in every photo, and it shows up in job interviews before you’ve said a word. That visibility is the reason so many people decide to remove one, and it’s also why they worry about the process. Will it scar on such thin skin? Will it hurt more than an arm? How long will people see a half-faded tattoo?
Most pages that rank for “neck tattoo removal” are short clinic pages. They confirm that neck tattoos can be removed and suggest booking a consultation, but few of them show a real price for each size, explain how the front, side and back of the neck differ, or walk through what aftercare looks like on skin that rubs against a collar every day. This guide covers all of that, plus a session-by-session timeline and honest answers to the questions people actually search: does it hurt, how much does it cost, how long does it take and what do the before and after photos look like.
Can neck tattoos be removed?
Yes. Laser tattoo removal works the same way on the neck as anywhere else. The laser sends very short pulses of light into the skin. The ink particles absorb that energy and break into smaller fragments, and over the following weeks your immune system carries those fragments away. Each session breaks up more ink, which is why removal happens in stages instead of all at once. If you want the deeper science, our guide to the laser tattoo removal process explains each step, and what tattoo removal is and how it works covers the basics.
The neck has a couple of things going for it. It’s close to the heart and has good blood flow, and areas with good circulation tend to clear ink more steadily than places like the ankles, feet and fingers. Many neck tattoos are also small and simple: a name, a date, a word under the ear or a small symbol at the nape. Simple black linework is usually among the more predictable ink to treat.
What we can’t do is promise that every last trace of ink will disappear for every person. Results depend on the ink, how deep it was placed, your skin and your immune system. What we can do is look at your tattoo at a free consultation and give you an honest estimate before you commit to anything.
Why the neck is different from other placements
The laser and the science are the same, but the neck brings its own considerations. These are the ones we plan around:
Thinner, more delicate skin
The skin on the front and sides of the neck is thinner than on the back, shoulder or thigh. That means it can feel more sensitive during treatment, and it means settings and spacing matter. Removal is not a race. Waiting the full 6 to 8 weeks between sessions lets the skin heal and lets your body clear the ink that the last session broke up.
It’s always in the sun
Your neck gets sun almost every day in Florida, whether you’re driving, walking a parking lot or standing in line at a theme park. A tan on the treatment area means we have to wait, because tanned skin is more likely to react to the laser. We ask clients to avoid sun and tanning on the area for at least 4 weeks before a session. Our guide to sun after tattoo removal explains why and how long to stay out of it.
Collars, straps, hair and razors
Shirt collars, necklaces, lanyards, backpack straps, long hair and daily shaving all rub against a healing neck. None of them stop treatment, but you’ll want a plan for the first few days after each session. We cover that in the aftercare section below.
Visibility while it fades
A forearm tattoo can hide under a sleeve while it fades. A neck tattoo is usually on display through the whole process. Many clients go in knowing that, and some use the first few sessions to lighten the tattoo enough that it’s far less noticeable long before it’s gone. Others fade it for a cover-up instead of full removal.
Front, side, back of the neck and behind the ear
“Neck tattoo” covers a lot of ground. Where on the neck the ink sits changes how it feels and how easy it is to care for. Here is how the common placements compare:
| Placement | Common designs | Typical size tier | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front of the neck / throat | Script, wings, roses, larger pieces | Small to X-Large | Thinnest skin and often the most sensitive spot. Hardest to cover with clothing while it fades. |
| Side of the neck | Names, dates, stars, small symbols | X-Small to Medium | Very visible. Collars and seat belts can rub; plan clothing for the first days after a session. |
| Behind the ear | Tiny symbols, initials, music notes | XX-Small to X-Small | Often the least expensive neck tattoo to remove. Keep hair products, glasses arms and earbuds off the area while it heals. |
| Back of the neck / nape | Script, mandalas, crosses, small designs | X-Small to Medium | Thicker skin than the front, and many people find it more comfortable. Long hair can cover it while it fades. |
| Full or wraparound neck | Large custom work, often with color | Large to X-Large | Takes the most time. Fading for a cover-up is a common goal. |
Size tiers in this table are typical examples, not quotes. Your tier is set by measuring your actual tattoo at the consultation. You can also send a picture through our photo quote form for an estimate before you visit.
How much does neck tattoo removal cost?
At EradiTatt, the price of a session depends only on the size of the tattoo. Placement doesn’t change it, so a neck tattoo costs the same as a tattoo of the same size on your arm. There are no separate charges for color. Here are our current prices:
| Size tier | Up to about the size of | Per session | 4-session pack (20% off) | Neck example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XX-Small | A quarter | $100 | $320 | A star or initial behind the ear |
| X-Small | A credit card | $175 | $560 | A short name or date on the side of the neck |
| Small | A dollar bill | $225 | $720 | A line of script across the nape |
| Medium | A CD | $300 | $960 | A rose or design covering one side of the neck |
| Large | A DVD case | $400 | $1,280 | A throat piece that spreads to both sides |
| X-Large | A sheet of paper | $600 | $1,920 | A full front-of-neck or wraparound piece |
To estimate a full treatment, multiply the session price by the number of sessions you’re likely to need. For example, a credit-card-sized name on the side of the neck that takes 8 sessions works out to two 4-packs: 2 × $560 = $1,120. A CD-sized design that needs 10 sessions would be two 4-packs plus two single sessions: 2 × $960 + 2 × $300 = $2,520. These are illustrations. Your real session count comes from your consultation and from how your skin responds.
Two more ways to save: military members and veterans get 15% off, and you get a $50 credit when a friend you refer books. The consultation is always free. For a closer look at how pricing works, see our laser tattoo removal cost page and our breakdown of what tattoo removal costs in Orlando. If you’ve been comparing prices online, our article on tattoo removal costs people share on Reddit puts those numbers in context.
How many sessions does neck tattoo removal take?
Most clients need 8 to 12 sessions for full removal, spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart. That spacing isn’t a scheduling preference. The laser breaks up the ink in a few seconds, but your body needs weeks to carry those fragments away. Treating again too soon doesn’t speed things up; it just puts more stress on the skin. Our article on why tattoo removal takes multiple sessions explains it in more detail.
On the neck, these are the factors that move the number up or down:
- Ink color. Black usually responds most predictably. Colored ink can take longer, though the PiQo4’s 4 wavelengths let us target a wider range of colors. See our guide to laser removal of colored tattoos and the one on removing black ink.
- Ink density. Bold, heavily packed lettering and solid fill hold more ink than fine linework.
- Professional or amateur. Amateur tattoos often have less ink, placed unevenly, and many fade faster.
- Age. Older tattoos have already faded somewhat and often respond sooner.
- Layering. A neck tattoo that’s already a cover-up has two layers of ink. Our guide on removing a cover-up tattoo explains why that adds sessions.
- Your health and habits. Staying hydrated, staying active once you’re healed, avoiding smoking and keeping the area out of the sun all help.
Here’s what the process typically looks like over time. Every tattoo is different, so treat this as a general guide:
| Stage | Roughly when | What many clients notice |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation | Week 0 | Size tier, price and session plan; screening for anything that means we should wait. |
| Sessions 1–3 | Months 0–5 | The ink starts to lighten and soften at the edges. It’s still clearly visible. |
| Sessions 4–6 | Months 5–10 | Many tattoos are noticeably faded. This is often enough to start a cover-up. |
| Sessions 7–12 | Months 10–18+ | Remaining ink is worked down toward clear skin. Stubborn colors may need extra sessions. |
Each appointment itself is quick: about 5 to 15 minutes. Our post on how long a laser session takes breaks down the visit.
Does neck tattoo removal hurt?
It’s uncomfortable, but it’s short. Clients often compare the laser to a rubber band snapping against the skin, or say it feels a lot like getting the tattoo in the first place, only much faster. On the neck, the front and the throat area are usually the most sensitive because the skin is thin. Many people find the back of the neck and the nape easier.
Here’s what we do to keep you comfortable:
- Zimmer Cryo 6 cooling. A stream of very cold air is aimed at the skin before, during and after each pass of the laser. It numbs the surface and calms the heat.
- Short sessions. Most neck tattoos are small, so the laser part of the visit often takes only a few minutes.
- Breaks when you need them. You can tell us to pause at any time.
- Clear expectations. Knowing what each step feels like makes a big difference, especially at the first visit.
Afterward, the area usually feels like a sunburn for a few hours. For more on comfort, read our tips on managing pain during laser tattoo removal and why laser removal doesn’t have to be scary.
Neck tattoo removal before and after: what results look like
People search “neck tattoo removal before and after” because they want to see whether the skin really clears. The honest answer is that results come gradually. After one session, a neck tattoo usually looks lighter and a little blurry, not gone. The bigger changes show up over several sessions, as your body clears more ink each time.
Right after a session, it’s normal for the area to look worse before it looks better. You may see:
- A white “frosting” on the tattoo for a few minutes after treatment
- Redness and mild swelling for a day or two
- Pinpoint bleeding, small blisters or light scabbing on some tattoos
- Itching as the area heals
These are normal parts of healing. Our guides to redness after laser tattoo removal, tattoo removal blisters and what skin looks like after tattoo removal walk through each one, including the warning signs that mean you should call us. To see real client results, including a small tattoo just below the ear like the one in this post’s photo, visit our results and reviews page and our article on face tattoo removal with the PiQo4.
Removing a neck tattoo for work
Work is one of the most common reasons people remove a neck tattoo. Hospitality, healthcare, sales, law enforcement and the military are all fields where some employers have appearance standards, and a neck tattoo is hard to cover with a uniform. In the Orlando area, where theme parks, resorts, hotels, the convention industry and large hospital systems employ a lot of people, we hear this reason often.
If removal is tied to a job, a start date or a career change, tell us at your consultation. We can’t make the ink clear faster than your body allows, but we can help you plan:
- Start early. With 6 to 8 weeks between sessions, the first few months make the biggest difference to how noticeable the tattoo is.
- Decide between fading and full removal. If the goal is “less noticeable,” several sessions may get you there long before full removal.
- Use the 4-pack. Most people buy sessions in 4-packs to save 20% and keep their treatment on schedule.
- Ask about the military discount. Service members and veterans get 15% off.
For more on timing, our article on the best time of year to get a tattoo removed covers how Florida’s seasons fit into a removal plan.
Neck tattoo aftercare: what’s different
The general rules are the same for every tattoo we treat: keep the area covered for 2 to 3 days, avoid exercise for 24 hours, and keep it out of the sun. On the neck, a few everyday habits need attention too.
The first 2 to 3 days
- Keep it covered with the dressing we give you, and change it as instructed.
- Pick soft, loose collars. Stiff dress shirts, ties, hoodies with rough drawstrings and tight necklaces can rub. A loose crew neck or open collar is easier.
- Skip the workout for at least 24 hours. Sweat and friction irritate fresh treatment areas.
- Wash gently with lukewarm water and pat dry. Keep hot showers off the area for the first day or two.
Until it’s fully healed
- Don’t shave over it. If your tattoo is in the beard line or on the throat, shave around the area, not across it, until any scabs have come off on their own.
- Keep fragrance and products off it. Perfume and cologne often go on the neck. Apply them somewhere else until the skin has healed. The same goes for hair spray, self-tanner and heavy makeup.
- Don’t pick or scratch. Let scabs and blisters heal on their own. Our guide on itching after laser tattoo removal has tips.
- Wait to swim. Pools, the ocean and hot tubs can irritate healing skin. See how long to wait before swimming after tattoo removal.
Between sessions
- Protect it from the sun every day. Once healed, use a high-SPF sunscreen and a collar or scarf when you’ll be outside for long. A tan on the area can delay your next session.
- Stay healthy. Hydration, sleep, activity and not smoking all support the immune system, which does the work of clearing the ink.
Our full aftercare instructions and the guide to aftercare products cover the rest.
Fading a neck tattoo for a cover-up
Not everyone wants clear skin. Some people want a better neck tattoo instead. Covering a dark neck tattoo usually means going bigger and darker, which may not be what you want on such a visible spot. Fading the old tattoo first gives your artist far more freedom with the new design.
Fading usually takes fewer sessions than full removal, and many clients coordinate with their tattoo artist so the new work goes on once the old ink is light enough. Read more in how our cover-up fade plan works.
Is laser tattoo removal safe on the neck?
Laser tattoo removal on the neck is a routine treatment when it’s done by an experienced provider who adjusts the settings to the skin and the ink. At EradiTatt, treatments are performed by owner Melissa Hoperich, FNP, and tattoo removal is the only thing we do.
Like any laser treatment, it carries some risks: temporary lightening or darkening of the skin, blistering, and in rare cases texture changes or scarring. Following aftercare, keeping the area out of the sun and spacing sessions properly all lower those risks. Our article on whether laser tattoo removal leaves scars goes deeper, and if you have darker skin, read tattoo removal on dark skin.
We wait to treat anyone who:
- Is pregnant
- Has taken Accutane in the past 6 months
- Takes anticoagulants (blood thinners)
- Has an autoimmune condition
- Has a recent tan on the area
- Has a strong allergy to tattoo ink
Your consultation includes this screening, so there are no surprises on treatment day.
Do creams or at-home methods work on neck tattoos?
No. Tattoo ink sits below the top layer of skin, where creams can’t reach it. Products that promise to remove ink at home can irritate or burn the skin, which is a bad trade on a spot as visible as your neck. Our article on whether tattoo removal creams work covers the evidence. Laser treatment is the method we use and recommend.
Neck tattoo removal in Orlando: our Turkey Lake Road clinic
If you live in the Orlando area, you’ll be treated at EradiTatt Orlando:
- Address: 9430 Turkey Lake Rd, Suite 116, Orlando, FL 32819, in the Dr. Phillips area near Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital
- Hours: Monday to Friday 10 AM to 6 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 3 PM
- Phone: (407) 278-7066
- Parking: garage parking on site
The clinic serves Orlando, Dr. Phillips, Windermere, Winter Garden, Hunters Creek, Kissimmee, Ocoee and Clermont. From most of southwest Orlando it’s a short drive via Sand Lake Road or I-4, and the attractions corridor is close by, so it’s easy to fit a 15-minute appointment around a shift. From Windermere and Winter Garden, Apopka-Vineland Road and Turkey Lake Road are the usual routes; see our pages for Windermere tattoo removal and Winter Garden tattoo removal. Clients from Kissimmee can read our Kissimmee guide.
Central Florida life is hard on a healing neck. Long days outside at the parks, lakeside weekends, and the year-round heat all mean sun and sweat. Schedule sessions so that the first 2 to 3 days after each one aren’t a pool day or a full day outdoors, and keep the area protected between visits so a tan doesn’t push your next appointment back.
Not near Orlando? We also treat neck tattoos at our Tampa clinic on Westshore Boulevard, in St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor and Bradenton/Sarasota. See all of our Florida locations.
Frequently asked questions about neck tattoo removal
Can you get a neck tattoo removed completely?
Many neck tattoos can be removed completely or faded until they’re barely visible. Results depend on the ink, its depth, your skin and how your body clears the ink. We’ll give you a realistic goal at your free consultation.
Are neck tattoos easy to remove?
Often easier than tattoos on the hands, feet or ankles, because the neck has good circulation and many neck tattoos are small black designs. The front of the neck is more sensitive, and the visibility makes aftercare and sun protection more important.
How much does it cost to remove a neck tattoo?
At EradiTatt, $100 to $600 per session depending only on size, or $320 to $1,920 for a 4-pack at 20% off. Many neck tattoos are in the X-Small to Medium tiers, $175 to $300 a session.
How long does neck tattoo removal take?
Most clients need 8 to 12 sessions spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart, which usually means about a year to a year and a half for full removal. Fading for a cover-up takes less time. Each appointment takes about 5 to 15 minutes.
Does neck tattoo removal hurt more than other areas?
The front of the neck is one of the more sensitive places, because the skin is thin. The back of the neck is usually easier. We use Zimmer Cryo 6 cold-air cooling throughout every session, and the laser itself is fast.
Will removing a neck tattoo leave a scar?
Scarring is uncommon when treatment is done carefully and you follow aftercare. Don’t pick scabs or blisters, keep the area out of the sun, and keep to the 6 to 8 week spacing between sessions.
Can I shave after neck tattoo removal?
Shave around the treated area, not over it, until the skin has fully healed and any scabs have come off on their own. Shaving over healing skin can tear it and slow healing.
Can I wear a collar or necklace after treatment?
For the first 2 to 3 days, choose soft, loose collars and leave necklaces off so nothing rubs the dressing or the healing skin.
Can I remove a neck tattoo while pregnant?
No. We wait until after pregnancy. We also wait if you’ve taken Accutane in the past 6 months, take blood thinners, have an autoimmune condition, have a recent tan on the area or have a strong ink allergy.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes: 20% off when you buy a 4-session pack, 15% off for military and veterans, and a $50 credit when a friend you refer books. The consultation is free.
Still have questions? Our tattoo removal FAQ covers more, and how many laser tattoo removal sessions you’ll need goes deeper on session counts.
Book your free consultation
Whether it’s a name under your ear, script across the nape or a throat piece you’re ready to move past, the first step is a conversation. At your free consultation we’ll look at your tattoo, confirm your size tier and price, and give you an honest session plan. You can book a free consultation online, call the Orlando clinic at (407) 278-7066, send a photo through our photo quote form, or contact our team.
One Response