It seemed like a good idea at the time. After all everyone else had one why not you. So, you got a tattoo. Perhaps it was s simple one with the name of you boyfriend or girlfriend at the time. Or, maybe it was something much fancier with multiple colors, either way now you want to get rid of it.
Getting rid of that tattoo is going to take longer and cost more than having it put on. The good news is that the methods now used to remove tattoos are much better than they used to be. How you get rid of it is going to depend on a number of things. Was it a professional tat or one you did yourself? If it's a homemade one it will probably be easier to remove because it's not as deep and has fewer colors. Also where is the tattoo. If it's close to a bone like on the ankle hands or fingers that complicates the removal. Now while you may have been able to put the tat on yourself getting rid of it will require a professional.
There are three basic methods for getting rid of that tattoo, safely and cleanly. The first is what is called dermabrasion. basically the cosmetic surgeon will sand the tattoo off. As you can imagine it leaves the skin red and exposed.
The second choice is what is called excision. It is basically surgery where the tattoo is cut out and the skin is sewed up. It will probably leave some sort of scar. Older tattoos, where the ink has gotten deeper into the skin and has spread are the candidates for excision.
The latest way, and probably the best way to remove a tattoo is with lasers. The type of laser dpeneds on the color of the ink in your tattoo. That's because different lasers work better on different colors. Types of lasers include the Q-switched Ruby Laser, Q-switched Nd:YAG, Q-switched Alexandrite Laser, and Flashlamp-pumped Pulsed Dye Laser. The bottom line is that cosmetic surgeons have at their disposal enough tools to get rid of that tattoo.
Is it painful? Well, that depends on how much you can tolerate. Some people compare the sensation to a rubber band snapping against your skin. The treatments can take up to an hour. The tattoo will get lighter after each treatment, until it hopefully disappears all together. Make sure you stay out of the sun, as your skin will be very sun-sensitive and in need of sun protection. Laser tattoo removal leaves few or any scars. Completely getting rid of all tattoos isn't always possible. You should see a dramatic lightening of the tattoo no matter what.
This isn't a one time treatment. You can expect return for treatment a half dozen to a dozen times, maybe even more if the tattoo is complicated. Each visit, of course, will add to the cost, so make sure you get an estimate before you start.
The best advice is to make sure you really want that tattoo. Tattoos are more acceptable than they used to be, but let's be honest - if you're married to Jane she probably won't appreciate that tattoo that says Mary.
Ed Nichols is a health and medical writer.
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