What Are The Best Ways To Remove Tattoos?

By A. L. Jones

Tattoos are something that have been around for centuries. While your ancestors might have chosen to use tattoos for vastly different reasons than you choose to get them nowadays, it doesn't make them any less the same. Tattoos have been used to brand prisoners, to brand slaves, to mark family trees, and to show marital relations in the past. Today they're more about showing your interests and your hobbies, your loves, and the things most important to you and close to your heart; for example, you might choose to get a tattoo of your girlfriend's name on your arm.

But what happens if you break up and you no longer want to see her name on your arm? Many decades ago, you would have had to undergo tattoo removal processes that involved some pretty questionable tactics, such as injecting wine, garlic, and pigeon excrement into your skin. Why? Because it was widely believed at one time that the ingredients in these items would help to rid your skin of the markings from your tattoos. Pretty disgusting, right? Be grateful that today's tattoo removal techniques do not include pigeon droppings.

Currently, there are a few methods of tattoo removal that are better than others. The best form of tattoo removal is through laser surgery. This takes several attempts and it can be uncomfortable. Additionally, laser surgery removal results can vary from person to person and tattoo to tattoo. For example, a person with a green tattoo might find that laser surgery will not remove it completely but merely lighten the tattoo significantly. This brings us to the second most effective method of tattoo removal, which is called replacement. This consists of simply covering up an unwanted tattoo with a larger tattoo. Oftentimes an experienced tattoo artists can do this so well you won't even see a hint of your first tattoo beneath your new one.

What Are The Tattoo Removal Options?

The laser surgery option for tattoo removal involves several appointments in which your doctor will use a laser light to break down your tattoo. The laser breaks down the ink from one big piece to millions of smaller pieces that are eventually absorbed into your body through your skin. Once the laser process is complete, you'll still see your tattoo. However, over the subsequent weeks and months you will notice that it is fading slowly until it finally disappears. Of course, this is more difficult on some colors than others. Typically, laser removal works most effectively on tattoos in dark colors such as black.

Dermabrasion is another method of tattoo removal. This one is not quite as popular as laser removal due to the fact that it's highly painful and not nearly as effective. Dermabrasion involves literally sanding down the skin where your tattoo resides until you can no longer see the tattoo. It's a painful process that takes a long time, therefore it's not very popular.

Cream removal is another option. There are several different brands of tattoo removal cream on the market that are designed to remove your tattoo by causing it to fade significantly. While it has been known to work for some, it's not a method that works for everyone. Additionally, it's far less effective than simply undergoing laser surgery to help you remove your tattoo.

How Much Does It Cost To Remove A Tattoo?

The cost of tattoo removal depends completely on the method you choose. For example, if you choose to use the cream method at home, you might pay anywhere from $100 to several hundred dollars on cream. Most creams come in a two-month supply and cost anywhere from $100 to $200. However, if your tattoo doesn't fade to your satisfaction during this time frame, you'll probably need to purchase more, which will increase the cost.

The cost of laser tattoo removal depends completely on the size and location of your tattoo as well as the number of laser sessions it takes to effectively remove it. It also depends on the doctor you use. For the most part, however, most laser tattoo removal treatments cost approximately $300 plus per session. While it might not seem like much to start with, it can really add up. For this reason you will want to speak to your doctor prior to beginning laser treatments. If one or two will do it for you, you might consider it. However, if your doctor thinks it will take a half dozen sessions, you might want to consider what that will set you back.

For more information on tattoo ideas and designs, please visit: Tattoo Ideas

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