How To Remove A Tattoo You Regret
Removal of a tattoo isnt all that different than getting a tattoo in the first place. That is to say, theres more than one way to do it and no matter which method you land on, itll probably leave a mark. Speaking of different methods, did you know that some people remove their tattoos at home, or at least try to? Before you go all DIY on tattoo removal, please consult with a doctor and consider your options.
Ultimately, the removal of a tattoo takes three different forms: laser surgery, surgical removal, and home remedies. If you have the money to spare and a tattoo you regret, allow us to save you some time by recommending laser removal, which is easily the best method amongst the three. That said, dont just Google laser tattoo removal and book an appointment with the nearest specialist, as laser surgery can vary in terms of quality and outcomemore on that later.
On the flip side of the spectrum are home remedies, which are more popular now than ever before. However, before you employ tattoo removal in your home or apartment, youll definitely want to read up on what works and what doesnt . After all, the last thing you want when removing something you regret is to create something else youll regret. Indeed, who wouldve guessed that removing tattoos at home would be dangerous and largely ineffective? Go figure.
It Will Take Monthsif Not A Year Or More
Tattoos don’t just disappear after a once-over with the laser. A complete tattoo removal takes a minimum of two and a half years on average, says Bethany Cirlin, tattoo removal specialist and owner of Clean Canvas More Art. Laser treatments should be scheduled three months apart from one another so you get the most out of each treatment. This allows your body to break down as much of the tattoo as it can while also giving your body the opportunity to heal completely before your next session.”
As of writing this, I’ve had six sessions, and I’d wager that I need about five more, despite the fact that my initial estimate was six to eight sessions. It takes a long time to complete because each time the tattoo is lasered, particles are broken down and digested by the body’s immune system. The regeneration period is up to eight weeks, and the next time you go, the laser breaks down new particles of pigment, and so on and so forth.
Surgical Tattoo Removal Removal
Also known as excision:this is where the patch of skin which contains the tattoo is, literally,cut out. As you might imagine this is a drastic means of tattoo removaland one that results in scarring. In some cases, a skin graft is neededto repair the treated area.
This is especially a problem for largetattoos or badly done tattoos which have not been done by a professional.
If you choose to undergo this thenthe risks of scarring will be discussed along with the benefits. Thesurgeon will ask you about your medical history and will advise youto avoid sun exposure to the tattoo at least four weeks before yoursurgery. The reason behind this is to avoidany problems with uneven skin colour or pigmentation patches.
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What Happens To Your Skin When Tattoos Are Removed
Tattoo removal can be a life-changing experience. Whether youre trying to present a more professional appearance and land a new job, or just rid your body of an tattoo design you now no longer like, its entirely possible to remove that ink completely with pain-free laser tattoo removal.
Lets take a look at what happens when you have hit Delete.
How Laser Tattoo Removal Works
Tattoo removal can be done by completely excising the tattoo , however laser is preferred as there is no cutting in to the skin, no skin grafts required and no surgical scars.
Laser tattoo removal systems utilize extremely rapid pulses of light at different wavelengths to penetrate the skin and target particles of ink. The ink particles break up into tiny fragments that are viewed by your body as waste, and can be carried away by your lymphatic system.
It typically takes multiple sessions for a tattoo to be removed completely. Different wavelengths target different ink colors more effectively. Your aesthetician will advise you on how many sessions it is likely to take to remove your entire tattoo.
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Why Does It Take More Than One Session To Remove A Tattoo With Lasers
Professional tattoo artists apply ink in layers, so it takes more than one session to remove them. Because lasers break the ink pigment into smaller particles, it then takes some time between sessions for your body to flush out the ink. Your skin also needs time to heal, as laser treatments can sometimes cause swelling, blistering, and can temporarily alter the color of your skin.
How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work
Laser beams use concentrated bursts of energy to heat up the ink beneath the skin, which breaks the ink into smaller particles. Tattoos with different colors might require the use of multiple lasers operating at different frequencies. Those smaller ink particles can then be eliminated naturally by the bodys own immune system.
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What To Do If You Have Problems
If you have problems with healing, rashes or skin pigmentation changes, contact the clinic where you were treated.
Speak to the person who treated you if you have any complications that need medical attention. If this is not possible, speak to a GP or go to your local A& E department.
Page last reviewed: 18 September 2019 Next review due: 18 September 2022
What To Do If A Cut Or Graze Has Damaged Your Tattoo
Before worrying too much and jumping to conclusions, you should wait at least 2-3 weeks after cutting/damaging your tattoo before confirming whether there has been any lasting effect to the area.
Cuts and grazes can take quite a while to recover, and while they may initially look bad, they very often disappear without leaving any lasting damage even on tattoos.
However, if you discover a cut or graze has in fact left some scarring, fading or blemishing on your tattoo, then you should consult your tattoo artist as they will be best at deciding what the next best move will be.
If the leftover damage is small enough, a good artist should be able to cover it up so it blends in better with the rest of the tattoo.
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How To Remove A Tattoo Naturally
Sustainability and being environmentally friendly is more important than ever before, so its no surprise that people are even seeking advice on how to remove a tattoo naturally.
As a result, homemade remedies and non-invasive techniques are becoming increasingly popular.
Laser tattoo removal is often used as a last resort after first trying every trick in the book. We are quick to make assumptions on things that we dont know, and many people judge laser tattoo removal at face value before learning what it entails and how it works.
But, why not make laser tattoo removal your first resort:after going for laser therapy, the tattoo is gone, so you dont need to try any other methods.
So, in this article, we will explore whether there are ways to remove tattoos naturally – and how laser treatment compares.
Is Tattoo Scabbing Normal
During the proper tattoo aftercare process, nearly all people experience skin scabbing, peeling and flaking. Treat the phenomenon as inevitable, but something that you can mitigate, and youll have a better time if you stay patient during the healing stage.
The peeling and scabbing stage is the time when inexperienced or anxious tattoo enthusiasts freak out. The skin generally looks rough and horrible, and much of your brilliant, beautiful artwork is obscured by scabs formed by healing skin.
A tattoo scab does not necessarily mean youve done anything wrong. The skins healing process is different for every individual.
Some factors that contribute to differing speeds in tattoo scabbing include:
- Your skin type and sensitivity
- Your personal healing rate
Image, by Slipp D. Thompson, licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
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What Is Tattoo Excision
Laser tattoo removal and tattoo excision are the most common methods for removing tattoo pigment thoroughly.So how does each of the methods work, and how do they compare to each other?
If youre planning to remove an unwanted tattoo, its important to find a safe, reliable, and effective method so youll not only have the tattoo removed completely but also avoid skin care complications.
Surgical Excision Tattoo Removal
Tattoos may also be removed by direct surgical excision. This involves simply cutting out the skin that contains the tattoo. This technique is best used for small tattoos and may not be practical for very large tattoos. The skin surrounding the tattoo is then brought together and closed.
This type of tattoo removal will likely require the use of a local, regional or even a general anesthesia depending on the size of the tattoo. A surgical scar will be created by this type of tattoo removal.
Post-procedure bandages should be left in place for 48 hours. Once the bandages are removed and the surgical site should be cleaned daily with soap and water. A dressing may be applied to cover the wound for the first week after surgery.
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Answer: How To Remove A Tattoo At Home
Unfortunately, I cannot offer you any advice as to how to remove the tattoo aside from laser. Microdermabrasian or “sanding” does not penetrate deep enough to remove a tattoo, even when done in a physicians office. Excising the tattoo is not a reasonable option, even if it was done by a plastic surgeon, as the neck contains lots of vasculature, and may not heal well with scarring. Not to mention, doing any of these options at home leaves the risk of bleeding and infection. The best option would be to consult a physician for a series of laser treatments. You could always speak with their medical care coordinator about a payment plan or opening up a CareCredit account. Best of luck to you.
Here’s How To Prepare Your Skin For Getting A Tattoo
While deciding to get a tattoo can be exciting, preparing for the process requires a lot of work beforehand such as picking your design, researching an artist, and choosing where you want to get the tattoo done. Choosing to get a tattoo is a commitment to something pretty permanent, so preparing in all the ways you can is important. This includes getting your skin ready for the ink, and there is a lot more that goes into it than you think.
Making sure that your skin is ready for the procedure ensures that you have a more pleasant tattoo experience. This makes it better not only for the needle and the ink, but for the health of your skin. When getting a tattoo, you want to be as prepared as possible for a smooth experience. In doing so, it will not only help the ink stick better, but it will also make recovery easier .
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Easiest Places To Remove A Tattoo
You probably have already done your research on what parts of the body hurt worse to get tattooed. Youd be interested to know that similar rules apply when we are determining how easy a tattoo is to remove.
The better the circulation is in a part of your body, the easier the process of removing a tattoo from that part of the body will be. Areas in close proximity to the heart and with a lot of muscle mass stand out as ideal areas for faster laser tattoo removal.
Consulting With A Dermatologist Or Plastic Surgeon
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Delete Tattoo Removal & Laser Salon
PicoWay is the best option for laser tattoo removal in Phoenix and the entire Valley of the Sun. At Delete Tattoo Removal & Laser Salon, we are happy to provide a free consultation and discuss the best course of treatment for your individual needs. Please contact us to schedule an appointment today.
Hardest Places To Remove A Tattoo
We discussed how tattoos in parts of the body where there is good circulation tend to respond well to laser removal treatments. Alternatively, the tattoos we have the most difficulty with are those that exist in parts of the body where circulation is minimized and in areas of the body where the pain threshold is lower or the skin makeup is different.
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You Cant Reverse The Effects Of Laser
Naturally, the line work and shading the laser removes isn’t reversiblemeaning if you want to go back to your original ink in case you get scars from the treatment, don’t even bother. Make sure you’re 100% confident in your decision to get a tattoo removed, because if you ever want to keep it years down the line for nostalgia’s sake, you can’t get it back
Know That The Location Of Tattoo Ink And Size Of Tattoo Matter
Location on the body will affect your tattoo primarily based on vascular supply and healing ability. Essentially, that means that tattoos further from your heart will be harder to remove.
Why?
Blood flow helps you heal. Because the procedure for laser tattoo removal involves treating your skin with the laser, there will be some discomfort and short-term injury that has to heal. When the tattoo is located further away from your heart, the vascular supply is diminished, and it will heal slower. That makes it harder for your bodys lymphatic system to carry away the broken-down ink.
Ankle tattoos, for instance, are pretty tough to remove. Theyre not always impossible so do ask but they are notoriously difficult.
The size of your tattoo will have an obvious effect, as well. Larger tattoos take longer to remove.
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Understand Where It Ahem Goes Once Its Removed
That ink doesnt just evaporate into thin air: Once shattered, the ink particles are recognized as waste and are eliminated in your waste, Sobel said. So, yep, you essentially poop out your tattoo.
Khorasani noted that the majority of the ink particles, such as iron oxides , are eliminated via the liver through defecation. However, some of the elements in the ink may also be eliminated through sweat and urination.
Following a tattoo removal session, patients are advised to engage in moderate exercise to encourage drainage and to drink eight to 10 glasses of water daily, which can help to assist the immune system with the process of purging the ink.
How hydrated the client remains over the six weeks when the lymphatic system is working and how well the client follows the post-procedure recommendations have a dramatic effect on the outcome of the process, noted Eric Graham, vice president of sales and marketing at Sentient Lasers, which sells tattoo removal products.
Consider A Doctor Or A Tattoo Removal Specialist
I previously had one tattoo zapped at a spa , where an aesthetician used an outdated heat laser that ended up burning and scarring my skin. This time around, I got my treatments done by John F. Adams, MD, at the New York Dermatology Group, where everything is done under medical supervision. I suggest you find your own removal expert by asking friends or influencers, or even stopping people that you see with removal in processwhich, yes, I have done.
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Find A Reputable Doctor
To ensure you get proper treatment and care, find a reputable dermatologist or cosmetic surgery center. If possible, get a recommendation from your primary care physician for a dermatologist or skin surgery center that specializes in tattoo removal.
Since tattoo removal is a personal option in most cases, most insurance carriers wonât cover the process unless it is medically necessary. Physicians or surgery centers practicing tattoo removal may also require payment in full on the day of the procedure. If you are considering tattoo removal, be sure to discuss associated costs up front and obtain all charges in writing before you undergo any treatment.
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Laser Surgery Vs Surgical Removal
Once youve decided to remove your tattoo, youll want to seek medical advice. That means sitting down with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon who specialises in tattoo removal. And while some tattoo parlours might offer removal, we dont recommend taking this route. Its always best to leave dramatic procedures in the hands of a medical professional.
During your consultation, the doctor will examine your tattoo and suggest either laser removal or surgical removal. Heres what you can expect from either procedure:
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