When people get tattoos, they’re typically thinking about keeping them for life. Apart from self-expression, tattoos are also an excellent way to keep memories. Most tattoo owners can recollect where they got each tattoo and why.
But in the same way, tattoos can help you keep good memories; they can also become scars—reminders of memories we’d rather forget. Or maybe the tattoos are ugly, and you want to eliminate them.
Methods of Tattoo Removal
Whatever your reason is, removing tattoos is possible. However, since tattoos are permanent, the process can often be very long and expensive. Some common ways for removing tattoos are medical. They include:
1. Laser Tattoo Removal
Laser removal is perhaps the most popular way to get rid of tattoos. It involves using a high-intensity light source to heat the area of the tattoo, causing the ink to break down.
It is the most popular method for permanently removing tattoos, but it is expensive and painful. Depending on the nature of the tattoo, you may need multiple sessions to remove it altogether. On average, people require six to eight sessions to eliminate tattoos.
2. Dermabrasion Tattoo Removal
Dermabrasion is a tattoo removal method that focuses on removing the skin layers surrounding the tattoo. It uses a medical grinding machine to remove those layers of skin.
The procedure is also painful and may require multiple sessions to achieve desired results. If it is not done well, it can result in scarring on the person.
3. Excision Tattoo Removal
Excision involves the surgical removal of the skin on which the tattoo is. Depending on the tattoo’s location and size, your surgeon may advise you to get an excision. Typically, excisions are recommended for small tattoos.
They might also leave a small scar if they’re not done professionally.
4. Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy relies on cold, freezing temperatures to get rid of tattoos. It was initially used to treat warts and skin cancers. The skin area with the tattoo is exposed to freezing temperatures induced with a freezing agent’s help, e.g., liquid nitrogen.
The freezing agent will cause frostbite in that area, and the top layer of the skin can be removed using dermabrasion. As with laser tattoo removal, it will take a couple of sessions before the tattoos are eliminated. It is also likely to result in injuries and scars.
5. Intense Pulsed Light Method (IPL)
Although this method works similarly to laser treatment, there are certain similarities. The first is that it is less painful. While laser therapy delivers a single wavelength of light, IPL delivers several wavelengths.
It is a highly effective method for removing tattoos and is quite expensive. IPL is, however, not recommended for dark-skinned people because of its lightening effects.
Can You Remove a Tattoo Naturally?
Although medical methods are the best way to remove a permanent tattoo, some people may prefer natural remedies. Many home remedies for tattoos are available online.
Typically, people are told to use these remedies consistently over a long period to see results. However, it is essential to note that home remedies are often inadequate for cleaning up tattoos.
While they may help fade the tattoo, they cannot eliminate it. In some instances, they can even lead to long-term scarring. Some of the standard methods include:
- Salabrasion typically involves removing the upper layer of your skin and rubbing salt in its place. It is ineffective and causes a lot of pain and scarring.
- Aloe vera and yogurt: Aloe vera is a magic item that can fix all problems for many people’s natural remedies. However, there is no evidence that this combination cleans tattoos.
- Sand: This attempts to mimic dermabrasion by removing the top layer of the skin. However, since it is not professionally done, it can result in scars from cuts and rashes.
- Lemon juice: Lemon is a lightening agent, so it makes sense to use it as a tattoo remover. Wrong. Lemon is highly acidic and can lead to rashes and skin sensitivity.
Does Tattoo Removal Cream Work?
Tattoo removal creams are another popular to-of-shelf option. They are pretty cheap and offer the best results in a short time. However, there is no evidence that they work. Like most home remedies, tattoo removal creams can, at best, lighten the tattoo, but they cannot obliterate the ink.
Many tattoo creams also use lightening agents that can harm specific skin types. You may experience skin irritation and allergic reactions when using them. Tattoo removal creams are the most widely available and least expensive option. There’s a reason: There’s no solid evidence that they work.
According to experts and anecdotal evidence, the best these creams do is fade or lighten a tattoo. Due to the high risk of skin irritation and allergic reaction, experts don’t recommend using DIY tattoo removal creams. They may also bleach your skin while “removing the tattoo.”
What Are Other Options?
Other options are available if you don’t want to eliminate the tattoo. If your tattoo issue is that it no longer looks as good, you can have it retouched by a tattoo artist. You can also get an artist to do a cover-up tattoo for you.
A highly skilled tattoo artist should be able to get you a cover-up design that makes the original look like it was never there. Even if you want a cover-up session, you might still need an ink-removal session. A faded tattoo is typically more straightforward for your tattoo artist.
The Final Verdict on Tattoo Removal
In the complex world of tattoo removal, options abound for those seeking to erase or alter their inked memories. From medical procedures like laser removal and excision to the more controversial home remedies, the path to removing a tattoo is often as personal and intricate as the decision to get one.
While medical methods are the most effective and reliable, they come with a price tag and potential discomfort. On the other hand, home remedies and over-the-counter creams, though tempting in their accessibility and affordability, typically prove ineffective and can cause harm.
For those not ready to part with their tattoos entirely, the artistry of a skilled tattooist can breathe new life into an old design or skillfully mask it with a fresh creation. The journey of tattoo removal or alteration is nuanced, reflecting the evolving nature of self-expression and identity.
