And so you wake up and there are glitter all over the room, pink flamingos in the pool, you smell like a minibar and that hickey or bruise turns out to be, in fact, a tattoo. If you're looking to forget last Friday night and get rid of an unwanted tattoo, here's how. There are many professional methods, albeit expensive ones, but they are far more effective than home ones and certainly highly recommended.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Professional Solutions
Step 1. Consider laser surgery with an experienced surgeon or dermatologist
It is one of the few methods that does not involve cutting the skin and that uses highly concentrated pulsed light to remove the tattoo.
- Your dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon will first want to discuss your treatment options with you and explain how many laser sessions will be needed to remove your tattoo. The treatment can leave scars, blisters, scabs and is painful, however it is also the safest and most effective way.
- A local anesthetic gel is usually given before the procedure.
- Remember that this is an aesthetic treatment that the national health service does not cover.
Step 2. Discuss the possibility of dermabrasion with your dermatologist
In this case, the skin is "sprayed" with an anesthetizing solution and then literally "sanded" to remove the first layers containing the tattoo ink. During the process, the ink percolates from the skin.
- You will be placed under local anesthesia, the skin will bleed and you may experience pain.
- This method can cost you up to 750 euros, depending on the size of the tattoo.
- You will have some pain for a week (or 10 days) and you will probably be prescribed an ointment to promote healing. Also remember that there is no guarantee of total removal.
- This procedure is not recommended if your skin tends to form keloids or hypopigmented scars.
Step 3. Talk to your doctor about the surgery
If the tattoo is small enough, it can be removed completely (along with the skin).
- During the procedure, the surgeon, with a scalpel, removes the tattoo and then sutures the flaps of the skin that will form a scar.
- If the tattoo is very large, this is still an option, but it will take several operations and a possible skin transplant.
Step 4. Consider cryosurgery and chemical peel
With cryosurgery, the tattoo is literally frozen and burned with liquid nitrogen. Chemical peeling takes place with the application of chemical agents that form blisters on the skin which subsequently cause the skin to detach.
Remember that both cryosurgery and chemical peel do not remove the tattoo 100% and can be painful. They are therefore not as effective as laser treatment
Step 5. Choose a procedure that is effective on your tattoo
The success of each technique depends on the skill of the surgeon, the color and type of skin, the tattoo and how it was performed. Before undergoing any treatment, gather as much information as possible based on your specific tattoo.
- These procedures, in most cases, leave scars. However, sometimes a scar is preferred over a tattoo.
- It is worth starting to save some money to invest in a professional treatment, so you will be more sure of the result and minimize the risks of damage and scarring.
Step 6. Do some research on the cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist
Make sure they are college-educated, licensed, and have good references. If possible ask your family doctor to recommend a good professional who specializes in tattoo removal.
Method 2 of 2: Home Remedies (Unverified)
Step 1. Try salt or salabrasion
It is a technique whereby a saline solution is rubbed on the skin to warm it and scratch off the surface layers (along with the tattoo).
- It is a very ancient method of tattoo removal that was developed in the Middle East; however modern techniques such as selective laser and dermabrasion are much more efficient and minimize the risk of scarring.
- Abrasion of the skin with salt damages the upper layers (epidermis) leaving clearly visible scars. This is a process that damages sensitive skin a lot and it is not certain that it will remove the tattoo successfully.
Step 2. Do some research on creams
They are the least expensive and painful way to remove a tattoo. However, their effectiveness depends on the constancy and regularity with which they are applied. Check which ones are right for you.
- These are high priced products that need to be applied for 3-9 months for the tattoo to fade.
- Remember that creams are not as effective as medical treatments and should be used with caution.
Step 3. Be aware that TCA systems for “home” tattoo removal are dangerous
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA), which you find in home treatment kits, can be used as a chemical peel and can reduce the appearance of a tattoo. However, it can cause severe chemical burns and other injuries.
Although these kits contain TCA and other bleaching agents (such as hydroquinone and alpha arbutin), know that, despite being cheaper solutions, they are almost completely ineffective. They can also cause serious health problems
Advice
- The decision to remove the tattoo is a personal one and should not be taken lightly. So be cautious.
- The alternative remedies mentioned in this article are not verified, so they are neither recommended nor as effective as a professional treatment.
