Has anyone had laser tattoo removal within the past few years?

I want to cover up my first tattoo (teenagers really should not get tattoos)... but most of it is black, and I don’t want it covered with more black. It’s been suggested to me that a round of laser removal would probably bring it to a point where I could have it more easily and attractively tattooed over.

Now, all I know of laser removal is old technology that often left a scar in the general shape of the tattoo. Has the technology been improved so that doesn’t happen as often?

Also, has anyone else tried this process to cover up an old tattoo?