Kirby Desai Tattoo Removal Calculator: Estimate Sessions & Cost Online
Wondering how many laser sessions you’ll need—or what it might cost—to erase your ink? The Kirby Desai Tattoo Removal Calculator leverages the scoring model first published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology to give you an evidence-based estimate in seconds.
Quick Start: Enter your tattoo’s size, colours, skin tone, location, and layering, then hit Calculate. Your personalised results (sessions and total time) appear instantly.
Estimate How Many Sessions You’ll Need for Laser Tattoo Removal
Curious how long it will take to remove your tattoo? The Kirby-Desai Scale is one of the most widely used models in aesthetic dermatology to estimate the number of laser sessions required to significantly fade or fully remove a tattoo. This calculator allows you to input your individual tattoo characteristics—such as location, colour, skin type, and more—and receive a tailored session estimate. Each point on the scale corresponds to one expected laser session.
The scale then provides a realistic estimation for the number of sessions required to remove the ink based on a conventional Q-switched laser for tattoo removal. More advanced technology typically reduces the total number of sessions by 20-40% compared to conventional Q-switched lasers.
Try the Calculator
Skin Type
Always burns & never tans
1 point
Burns easily & tans minimally
2 point
Sometimes burns & slowly tans
3 point
Burns minimally & usually tans
4 point
Rarely burns & tans well
4 point
Never burns & always tans
4 point
-
Location
Head / neck / face
1 point
Upper trunk / shoulder
2 point
Lower trunk / upper leg
3 point
Lower arm / leg
4 point
Wrist / hand / ankle / foot
5 point
-
Amount of Ink
Amateur
1 point
Minimal
2 point
Moderate
3 point
Significant
4 point
-
Ink layering
No, one layer
0 point
Yes, multiple layers
2 point
-
Scarring & Tissue Changes
No scar
0 point
Minimal scarring
1 point
Moderate scarring
3 point
Significant scarring
5 point
-
Colors
Black only
1 point
Mostly black w/ some red
2 point
Mostly black & red w/ other colors
3 point
Multiple colors
4 point
-
Estimated number of treatments:
-
Backed by Clinical Data, Designed for Real Results
The Kirby-Desai model was developed by a team of dermatology experts in Beverly Hills, California, who analysed 100 patient case studies between 2004 and 2008. All patients were treated using a Q-switched nanosecond laser at 6–8 week intervals by qualified laser specialists.
Their findings showed that most tattoos required an average of 10 sessions to achieve satisfactory fading, with a range spanning from as few as 3 sessions to as many as 20, depending on individual factors.
More recent advancements, such as picosecond laser systems, have shown promise in reducing the required number of sessions by up to 25%, thanks to improved pigment targeting and reduced thermal damage. Phantom technology typically reduced the total number of sessions further by 30-40% compared to conventional Q-switched lasers.
Factors That Influence Tattoo Removal Success
Several biological and technical factors contribute to how easily (or how stubbornly) a tattoo fades. The Kirby-Desai scale captures the most critical ones:
Skin Type (Fitzpatrick Scale): Darker skin types (Type V–VI) contain more melanin, which competes with the laser for energy absorption—raising the risk of complications like hypopigmentation or blistering.
Tattoo Location: Areas with rich blood and lymphatic flow (such as the face, neck, or upper back) tend to clear ink faster. Tattoos on the hands, feet, or lower legs—where circulation is poor—are harder to remove.
Ink Density & Layering: Professional tattoos with saturated ink or overlapping designs require more treatments. Amateur or faded tattoos tend to respond faster.
Ink Colours: Black is the easiest colour to remove. Bright hues like green, yellow, and blue require different laser wavelengths—and white ink (which often contains titanium dioxide) can oxidise and darken during treatment.
A Tool for Expectation Management — Not a Guarantee
While the Kirby-Desai model is statistically significant (correlation factor of 0.757), it is still a general guide. Your body’s immune response, the laser type used, and the experience of your provider all play a role in outcomes.
For best results, we recommend using this calculator as a conversation starter with your provider, who can assess your tattoo and tailor a removal plan accordingly.
Reference Studies:
Kirby W, Desai A, Desai T, et al. A Proposed Scale to Assess Tattoo-removal Treatments. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2009; 2(3): 32–37. PMC2923953
Verling SD, Mohsin N, Hernandez LE, et al. Laser Tattoo Removal: Laser Principles and an Updated Guide for Clinicians. J Dermatol & Skin Sci. 2022; 4(3): 11–13.