Getting a tattoo used to be about membership in the military or groups on the fringes of society, but in recent times the practice has gone mainstream. If, like many people, you would like to get rid of that tattoo with your ex's name or your favorite '80s rock band's logo, you may be wondering if tattoos are as difficult to remove as you've heard. Tattoo removal can be tough for a few different reasons.
Background
According to a study conducted at Cleveland State University, 24 percent of individuals between 18 and 50 years old have a tattoo, and the practice is equally common among men and women. The study also found that 17 percent of people with tattoos were considering having them removed. People with "tattoo remorse" face a basic problem: Tattoos are difficult to remove because they are intended to be permanent.
The Tattooing Process
A tattoo artist makes a tattoo by injecting ink into your skin. The outer layer of skin, or epidermis, is constantly being shed, so the tattoo artist injects the ink into the deeper layer of skin called the dermis. Because the cells of the dermis are very stable, the tattoo is virtually permanent.
Removal Methods
The most commonly used method of removal is laser surgery, which, depending on the size of the tattoo and the pigments used to create it, may require many sessions. Alternatively, a surgeon may excise the tattoo by removing layers of skin or using chemicals to irritate and remove the skin. Tattoo removal, which is often not covered by health insurance, costs much more than getting a tattoo, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Tattoo Inks
The inks used in creating a tattoo affect the removal process. No one regulates tattoo inks to ensure consistent color density, and your doctor has no way of knowing the exact depth that the ink was injected into your skin. Laser treatments require use of a specific type of laser for each color in the tattoo. Some colors, like dark blue or black, are relatively easy to remove, while others like green and yellow are more difficult.
Warnings
The Food and Drug Administration advises consumers to consult a health care professional, not a tattoo parlor, about having a tattoo removed. You can find a doctor with experience in removing tattoos at the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery's website (see Resources). The FDA also cautions against buying or using "do-it-yourself" tattoo removal products. These products, which are not FDA approved, may cause a bad skin reaction, because they are acid-based.
Suggestions
According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, you can take steps at the time you get a tattoo that will make it easier to remove later. The organization suggests, for example, that you keep the tattoo small and limit the number of colors to two or three. Have the tattoo done by a professional under sanitary conditions that minimize the risk of infection. See a doctor immediately if the tattoo site becomes infected.
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