We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Beauty

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are the Different Types of Tattoo Removal?

By R. Kayne
Updated: May 21, 2024
Views: 21,649
Share

A tattoo can seem like a good idea at the time, but if your tastes change over the years, the tattoo you chose so long ago might lose its appeal. An unprofessional tattoo might also fade or blur. For those who would like to undo a tattoo, there are various forms of tattoo removal.

Generally, experts emphasize that to date there is no form of tattoo removal that can guarantee your skin will look like it did before the tattoo. Experts point out that the process can leave some scarring or skin discoloration. Depending on the tattoo itself and the skin of the patient, results vary.

You might have seen a tattoo removed in which the skin was scarred in roughly the shape of the original tattoo. Pigment in the removal area might be slightly lighter or darker than surrounding skin. If a small tattoo is removed from an ankle, it isn’t very noticeable. However, a large tattoo removed from a bicep is quite noticeable. Though methods are always improving, possible scarring must be weighed against how much one wants to rid oneself of the tattoo.

The basic types of tattoo removal are laser surgery, including Intense Pulsed Light therapy (IPL), excision, and dermabrasion. All effective removal methods involve some pain, and the most effective methods can be quite expensive.

Laser surgery is probably the most common form of removal. Pulses of laser light penetrate the skin and break the pigment in the tattoo into tiny fragments. The body’s own processes then begin clearing away the fragmented ink and the tattoo fades over time. IPL is an especially effective form of laser surgery.

Different wavelengths of laser light break down different colors within the tattoo. Orange, yellow, green, and blue are purportedly harder to remove than red and black. Regardless, multiple sessions are commonly required, with several weeks between appointments. The aim of laser tattoo removal is to leave minimal scarring. Results vary according to skin types, the type of tattoo removed, and the size and colors involved. A single laser session can cost anywhere from 250 to 1,500 US dollars (USD) or more.

Excision might be an option for smaller tattoos. In this case, the tattoo is surgically cut out, then the skin from either side is sewn together. To remove a larger tattoo this way, the middle might be taken out first, and the sides later. A skin graft might also be an option.

Dermabrasion involves sanding away the skin over the top of the tattoo. First, a chemical spray freezes the top layer of skin over the tattoo, then the dead skin is rubbed away. Repeated sessions are required with periods of healing between. This method also leaves some scarring.

The form of removal that is best for any particular person depends on many factors and should be decided by a licensed dermatologist experienced in tattoo removal. A prospective client can make an appointment for a consultation to discuss his or her options and the likely final result so that expectations are in line with what the doctor can deliver. Some clinics deduct the consultation fee from removal fees if the client decides to go ahead with removal. Other clinics offer free consultations.

Another option to removal is to have the tattoo redone and improved by a professional tattoo artist. This can solve the problem if the tattoo is simply blurred or amateurish. There are also tattoo artists who specialize in tattooing over old tattoos with a new, completely different design. This solution is also less expensive than tattoo removal.

Share
BeautyAnswered is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By mobilian33 — On Sep 03, 2014

Tattoo removal is painful and expensive, but at least people who no longer want their tattoos have ways to get rid of them. I can remember when a tattoo was pretty much permanent, and once you got one you had to live with it for the rest of your life.

By Feryll — On Sep 03, 2014

@Laotionne - I forget the exact percentages, but there are a large number of adults who have tattoos and more are getting inked every day. The tattoos are especially popular with younger people, and as younger people age, most of them are not having their tattoos removed, so I think we may reach a point where adults without tats are in the minority.

I don't have any tats, but most of my friends have them and I don't think they would be considered controversial or unemployable. Most of them are 9 to 5 professionals who wear ties and suits during the work week. Unless your cousin has tats that display profanity, nudity, racism or gang affiliation, the tattoos might not be the reason he can't land a job.

By Laotionne — On Sep 02, 2014

I have a cousin who grew up in a neighborhood where most of the boys he hung out with had tattoos. Some of them even had homemade tattoos. For them, the tattoos were a way of showing how tough they were.

Anyway, my cousin has several tattoos and they are on his neck and arms. Some of them can be seen even when he wears a long sleeve shirt. I know employers are not supposed to discriminate because of the way a person looks, but I think my cousin is beginning to realize that most hiring managers are not going to consider him for a job where he is working with the public because many people are still put off by tattoos.

And my cousin definitely cannot afford the price of tattoo removal until he finds a decent paying job.

Share
https://www.beautyanswered.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-tattoo-removal.htm
Copy this link
BeautyAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

BeautyAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.