How to Remove Tattoos

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We all know that tattoos are PERMANENT!

Which is why it’s so important to be completely sure of your decision BEFORE you get a tattoo.

Tattoo ideas should never be taken lightly!

But there are some cases where you might want or even need to have a tattoo removed from your skin—maybe for a new job, maybe you weren’t in the right frame of mind when you got it, maybe your tattoo artist didn’t give you what you wanted, or maybe you’ve just changed your mind about it a few years later.

Either way, there’s some good and bad news about it.

The bad news is that tattoo removal is no easy or simple process.

It can also be extremely painful, and costly, and can take a lot of time and multiple visits to a dermatologist or tattoo removal specialist.

But the good news is that it is possible to remove your tattoo completely! Wondering how to remove tattoos?

So below, we’re diving into all the different tattoo removal methods that exist today.

Laser Tattoo Removal

Laser treatments are by far the most popular form of tattoo removal as they are minimally invasive and do not leave any scarring.

The downside to laser tattoo removal is that it’s a process that will likely require multiple sessions that can be a somewhat painful.

However, laser removal is an effective treatment for complete removal and most people say that it’s not any more painful than getting a tattoo in the first place.

So if you’ve been able to sit through a tattoo session, you should have no problem sitting through a laser treatment. You can also check out our tattoo pain chart to find out how much a new tattoo or tattoo removal might hurt.

The laser tattoo removal process works by using a specific wavelength of light that passes through the epidermis and destroys the underlying tattoo pigments.

The laser light heats up the ink particles, breaking them up into smaller pieces that your immune system can then take care of.

As we’ll discuss below, this process is often used alongside a chemical peel, which makes the laser treatments more effective.

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Is Laser Treatment Effective To Remove A Permanent Tattoo? Are There Any Side-Effects?

Laser removal is considered one THE BEST and most effective methods to remove unwanted permanent tattoos.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for how to remove a temporary tattoo, the process is MUCH, MUCH simpler!

That said, your tattoo styles, size and design, the ink colors used, your skin type, and individual factors such as age, metabolism, and the health of your skin will all play a role in how effective your laser treatments are, and how many sessions you’ll need to attend to completely remove your tattoo.

Like almost any skin treatment, there are also some potential side effects to be aware of.

Redness, swelling, scabbing, skin discoloration, and skin irritation are all potential side effects that you might notice on and around the treated area.

But these are all generally short-lived and can usually be treated using nothing more than over-the-counter pain medications and an ice pack to help alleviate any swelling.

Chemical Peels For Tattoo Removal

If you’ve been looking into or considering different tattoo removal procedures, you may have heard of some people using chemical peels to remove their unwanted tattoos.

These are potential options, however, they’re generally not considered to be standalone tattoo removal procedures and are more effective when used in conjunction with laser treatments.

Chemical treatments work by removing the outer layer of remaining skin that covers your tattoo, so that any remaining ink particles can more easily be targeted.

So when used alongside laser treatments, chemical treatments simply make it easier for the laser to target the original tattoo ink.

There are mainly two types of chemical peels used for tattoo removal:

• TCA or Trichloroacetic Acid Peels – TCA is considered the more effective method for removing unwanted tattoos. But it is a stronger treatment that can be harsh on your skin.
• Glycolic Acid Peels – Glycolic acid is less corrosive when compared to TCA treatments and using it is definitely not going to completely remove a tattoo. Therefore, this method is the method most often used in conjunction with laser tattoo removal.

That being said, laser and chemical treatments aren’t the only way to remove a tattoo.

Surgical removal is yet another option that you might want to consider if you’re looking to rid your skin of an old tattoo.

Surgical Excision Tattoo Removal

Although laser treatments are the most popular form of tattoo removal, surgical excision is yet another viable option for removing tattoo ink particles from your skin.

And yes, surgical excision is exactly what it sounds like.

It is a process where a plastic surgeon uses a scalpel to cut into the outer layer of your skin and surgically remove the unwanted ink from your body.

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The surgeon will use a local anesthetic so that the process is completely painless. They’ll also provide you with an antibacterial ointment to prevent infection, promote healing, and minimize scarring.

But this is a more invasive tattoo removal method and is almost guaranteed to leave a scar, even if you’re working with a well-trained, qualified plastic surgeon. And just like tattoo aftercare, the healing process after surgical removal can take several weeks or months.

Excision is also not a viable option for removing large tattoos since the procedure would be too traumatic for the patient.

So why would anyone choose surgical excision over a few laser sessions?

Well, surgical removal is generally a more cost-effective method since you’ll just need a single appointment. The entire tattoo can be removed in a single session, which means you don’t have to pay for multiple visits.

That said, just like laser tattoo removal, there are risks and potential side effects to surgical removal.

This is why you should always think things through before going through with removing unwanted tattoos, and make sure to only consult with professional, licensed plastic surgeons if you do choose this method to remove a tattoo.

Cover Ups

Now, we can’t exactly say that getting a cover-up is truly a form of tattoo removal.

But it is an option and a great option for those who don’t need their ink completely gone and only need what they had tattooed changed into something better.

A few instances where a cover-up might be a suitable option include:

• Covering up a couple’s tattoo – Let’s not talk about our exes, but unfortunately covering up ex-lover names is one of the more common reasons we see people get cover-up tattoos.
• Covering up a racist, sexist, homophobic, or otherwise offensive tattoo – We’ve often heard of men and women who were once part of a gang looking to have their gang tattoos removed because they’ve since changed their lives for the better.
• Covering up a bad tattoo – Let’s face it, not all those who call themselves tattoo artists are really artists. And it’s not unusual for people to end up with bad tattoos when they encounter one such artist.

The downside to a tattoo cover-up is that it’s not always an option.

For instance, it’s extremely hard for a cover-up to completely hide a large tattoo from your past. Or if the tattoo you want covered has a lot of darker tattoo ink in it, there’s a chance much of that ink will still show through your new cover-up anyway.

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The Dangers Of Home Tattoo Removal

If you’re looking for information on tattoo removal, you may have come across all sorts of tattoo removal creams or home remedies that promise to help you remove a tattoo.

However, I strongly encourage you NOT to fall for these products, as they generally do not work and can be dangerous.

Tattoo removal creams often contain substances such as bleach or hydrogen peroxide, which can permanently discolor your skin, or even lead to chemical burns, skin peeling, contact dermatitis, scarring, and other complications.

Therefore, it’s best to leave these home remedies where they belong: In the trash.

We’ve also seen misleading information online about using lemon juice, salt abrasion, or sanding devices to remove tattoos.

But again, these home treatments can be dangerous or just won’t work as well as laser treatments, chemical peels, or surgical removal.

Does Tattoo Removal Hurt?

Yes, tattoo removal can hurt.

But the good news is that removal methods like laser treatments, chemical peels, or surgical removal are tried and true.

They work!

Plus, these methods are generally not considered to be any more painful than getting a tattoo in the first place.

However, these are well-known procedures that should only be administered by qualified professionals, who can provide you with all you need to know about how the processes work, how effective they can be, and how to take care of the treated area afterward.

That said, let’s review what we’ve learned today about tattoo removal:

• Laser treatments – Laser removal is the most common removal method. However you’ll likely need to attend multiple laser sessions, which can be costly and time-consuming. Factors such as your age and the age of the tattoo, your metabolism, and your skin type can all influence how effective laser tattoo removal will be.
• Chemical peels – TCA or glycolic acid can be used on their own or in conjunction with laser treatments to make the laser sessions more effective. Depending on the age and ink pigments used, chemical treatments may or may not be able to completely remove a tattoo.
• Surgical removal – This is another popular option for tattoo removal, which can remove an entire tattoo in a single session. That said, surgical excision is a more invasive procedure that requires hiring a licensed plastic surgeon. It also isn’t suitable for larger tattoos and is all but guaranteed to leave a scar.
• Tattoo cover-ups – While this isn’t always an option, getting a cover-up is a perfectly suitable method for hiding an old tattoo that you don’t like anymore. Obviously, this isn’t a good option if you need your tattoo gone, but it can hide past mistakes and give you something else to love about your tattooed skin.
• Home tattoo removal = DON’T DO IT! – You might be able to find all sorts of tattoo removal creams or ointments online that promise to remove your tattoos. But these products are generally not regulated, making them unsafe to use on your skin. Attempting any home remedy tattoo removal procedures can be dangerous, resulting in chemical burns, scarring, and other potential complications.

I guess if you’re reading an article about tattoo removal, you’re probably not looking to get a new tattoo.

But if you are thinking about getting some new ink, we’ve got an innovative AI tattoo generator that you can play with the come up with different tattoo ideas and designs!

Just make sure to think before you ink!