Convention Connection: Before You Remove Your Tattoo, Hear From Laser Expert Jeff Garnett
Jeff Garnett and Chico Cortez met about 12 to 14 years ago at Nassau Coliseum on Long Island. Jeff lasered one of Chico’s tattoos, and Chico got a fresh one on top. Jeff has worked in laser tattoo removal for about 15 years, and he’s not anti-tattoo. Most of his career has been spent inside tattoo shops. Chico caught up with Jeff at the Tattoo Society World Expo in New York for Convention Connection. Jeff shared the option he says most people overlook, and showed his own arm and back as proof.
Key Takeaways
There’s a middle option: Jeff says many people don’t consider pre-cover-up lightening, which fades a tattoo enough to get the new design you actually want.
He’s living proof: The tattoo on his arm is the third one in that spot. He lasered it twice, removing about 80 to 90% before each new tattoo.
Removal isn’t anti-tattoo: Jeff’s business has always worked inside tattoo shops, including Skin Design Tattoos in Manhattan.
Expertise matters: His business partner, Lorenzo Cohen, has taught tattoo removal for 23 years.
Get real answers: Jeff says there’s a lot of conflicting information online, so he offers free assessments.
Who Is Jeff Garnett and Why Should You Listen?
Jeff Garnett is a laser tattoo removal specialist and the founder of Inkless.
In 2012, he opened his first company, Clean Slate Laser. He grew it to seven locations: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Westchester, Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The company was acquired in 2021.
Jeff then started Inkless with his business partner, Lorenzo Cohen. Lorenzo owns the International Laser Academy and has taught tattoo removal for 23 years. Jeff calls him the most knowledgeable person he’s met in his 15 years in the field. Lorenzo memorizes ink ingredients. For example, he knows that an ink with a heavier molecular weight settles deeper in the skin, so it needs a different approach. Jeff says Lorenzo looks at removal in a whole different way, for both safety and results.
When this interview was filmed, Inkless was approaching its second anniversary and preparing to open its fourth and fifth locations.
What Is Laser Tattoo Removal, Really?
Laser tattoo removal uses a laser to break down tattoo ink so it fades over time. But Jeff says full removal isn’t the only goal people should consider.
People come to him for many reasons. Some regret a tattoo. Some want something different. Some went through a breakup and want a name or design removed.
Many people come in torn between removal and a cover-up. Jeff says there are pros and cons to each, but many people don’t think about the middle option: pre-cover-up lightening.
Pro Tip: If you’re unhappy with a tattoo, Jeff says you don’t always have to choose between full removal and a big, dark cover-up.
How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?
Jeff explains that every tattoo is different. Ink type, color, and how much ink is in the skin all affect how a tattoo responds.
His own back shows this. It was covered in fully saturated color, which he says is usually harder to remove than black ink. At the time of filming, it was about 90% removed.
He pointed out a few things you could see on his back:
The cover-up area had more ink in it, yet it was fading faster than some lighter areas.
The shading on the sides faded faster than the line work in the middle.
Overall, his back was light enough to get almost any new tattoo.
He’s now planning a whole new back piece and deciding which Tattoo Artist to go to. He says there’s no way the designs he wants could have gone over what he had before.
Because results vary, Jeff recommends an assessment so a specialist can explain the difficulty, timeline, and pricing for your tattoo.
Why Does Tattoo Removal Matter for Aspiring Artists?
Removal and cover-ups are closely connected, and Tattoo Artists who understand both can better help their clients.
Jeff’s career shows that removal and tattooing work together. At Clean Slate, four of his seven locations were inside tattoo shops. Inkless’s Manhattan location is in SoHo, inside Skin Design Tattoos, owned by well-known Tattoo Artist Robert Pho. Skin Design has locations in California, Hawaii, Nashville, and Las Vegas, and Jeff was looking at some of those locations, too.
As Chico put it, getting a laser doesn’t mean you’re anti-tattoo. It means you want to switch something up or get rid of something that left a bad taste in your mouth. Jeff agrees.
What Does Jeff Wish Every Client Knew First?
Jeff wishes more people knew about pre-cover-up lightening.
He explains that covering a tattoo often means getting something bigger and darker. With pre-cover-up lightening, you laser a tattoo a few times. You don’t remove it completely. You just lighten it enough to replace it with something you love, instead of something that only works as a cover.
His arm is the perfect example. The tattoo there is detailed and fairly light in color, not what most people picture as a cover-up. But it’s the third tattoo in that spot. It was tattooed, lasered, re-tattooed, lasered again, and tattooed a third time. Each time, he removed about 80 to 90% of the old tattoo, not all of it. He says that let him get exactly what he wanted.
He also says his skin is fine. In his experience, there’s been no skin damage and no scarring.
His other message: there’s a lot of conflicting information online about tattoo removal. He encourages people to ask questions and get a professional assessment.
How Can You Tattoo So Clients Never Need Removal?
You can’t guarantee a client will never want a change. As Jeff points out, people’s tastes, relationships, and lives change. What you can control is the quality of your work and the honesty of your consultations.
Strong fundamentals help your clients love their tattoos for years:
Learn the basics: Clean line work, proper depth, and thoughtful placement.
Know your tools: Start with the tools every beginner Tattoo Artist should know.
Follow safety standards: Every Tattoo Artist must know the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard.
Understand cover-ups: Knowing that pre-cover-up lightening exists helps you give clients better options.
Before you start, read about the mistakes aspiring tattoo apprentices should avoid.
Get Serious About Your Craft With Ink Different Tattoos
Ink Different Tattoos has trained Tattoo Artists for 15 years through hands-on mentorship.
What You Can Expect from Our Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship
Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is an 18 to 24 month, four-phase tattoo apprenticeship built for beginners. No prior art experience is required.
Phase-based training: From drawing fundamentals to supervised client work.
Hands-on mentorship: You learn in person from experienced Mentors inside a working tattoo studio.
Licensing support: Guidance through your state’s requirements, like how to get your tattoo license in Texas.
A guaranteed job offer: You’ll receive a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios.
“Good Humans” culture: A supportive community that has your back.
A Career That Comes With Confidence
This is a career that comes with confidence. You’ll finish with job-ready skills, licensing support, and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios. The Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is available at 60+ tattoo studios nationwide.
Mentorship That Pushes Your Brand and Skills Further
Once you’ve built your foundation, Ink Different’s Master Mentorship connects you with Master Mentors, including Al Fliction, Liz Cook, Kyle Dunbar, Boneface, Jordi Pla, Marcel Oliveira, and Kara Gutierrez.
Making Tattoo Training Accessible for Everyone
Ink Different offers Spanish-speaking locations in Denver, Orange County, NYC, Miami, San Antonio, and San Diego. Seats are limited, with only two apprentices per tattoo studio per Mentor.
Ready to Become a Tattoo Artist?
Jeff Garnett’s story shows how closely tattooing and removal are connected. He’s spent his career inside tattoo shops, helping people clear the way for tattoos they truly love.
At the time of filming, Inkless was preparing to open in Oceanside on Long Island and in New Jersey, with plans for Miami. For a free assessment, reach Jeff and his team on Instagram at @inkless.laser or at inklesstattooremoval.com. They offer free Zoom or FaceTime calls to explain the process and answer questions about difficulty, pricing, and timeline. Follow Chico at @m4l_chico.
Ready to become a Tattoo Artist? Apply now to Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship and start building an AI-proof career with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios. Not sure yet? Fill out our quick questionnaire to see if it’s right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pre-cover-up lightening?
Jeff Garnett describes it as lasering a tattoo a few times to lighten it, without fully removing it, so you can get the new design you want instead of a bigger, darker cover-up.
Is laser tattoo removal anti-tattoo?
No. Jeff’s businesses have mostly operated inside tattoo shops. Many clients use removal to make room for new tattoos.
How much of a tattoo needs to be removed before a new one?
For his own arm, Jeff removed about 80 to 90% before getting new tattoos. Every tattoo is different, so get a professional assessment.
How do I get a tattoo removal assessment from Inkless?
Message @inkless.laser on Instagram or visit inklesstattooremoval.com to set up a free Zoom or FaceTime call.
How long does the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship take?
Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship takes 18 to 24 months across four phases, with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios.
Do I need art experience to start?
No. The Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is built for beginners.
