You have many options to consider if you need a tattoo removed. The most common procedures for effective tattoo removal are laser removal, surgical excision and dermabrasion. Other treatments are available as well; these include camouflaging and various creams and ointments. The latter treatments are considerably less effective at removing tattoos, but entail fewer undesirable side effects and are considerably cheaper. You should take several factors into consideration when deciding which method to use.
Effectiveness
The first thing you want to consider when choosing a tattoo removal method is how effective each one is. Surgical excision is the most effective because a surgeon actually removes the tattooed skin, closing the gap by suturing the edges of the wound together. Laser removal and dermabrasion are also reasonably effective, but often leave behind slightly visible remnants of the tattoo. The effectiveness of camouflaging depends on the skill of the practitioner. Camouflaging involves further tattooing of the area with pigments that match your skin tone, with the goal of making the tattoo blend in with your skin. Creams and ointments speed up your body's natural process of ridding itself of tattoo ink. At best, application of these substances causes the tattoo to fade slightly faster than it would otherwise.
Cost
Some tattoo removal methods can be quite costly, while others are more easily affordable. As a general rule, if a treatment requires expensive equipment and a surgeon or other professionally trained individual, expect a high cost. Surgical excision can cost thousands of dollars because it requires a surgeon, anesthesia and hospital fees. Precise costs for this procedure vary by location and by the size of the tattoo. Dermabrasion and laser removal can cost several hundred dollars per session; remember that several sessions may be required to achieve the desired result. Camouflaging can cost about as much as getting a tattoo because tattoo artists can do this for you. Creams and ointments are the cheapest routes to go, but they are typically the least effective.
Side Effects
Surgical excision, dermabrasion and laser removal involve physical injury to the skin. As such, the treated area often is tender and inflamed while it heals, and requires the application of antibiotic creams during that period. Scarring, thickened skin and uneven pigmentation can result from these treatments as well. The surgical excision of a tattoo large enough to require a skin graft can involve a significant recovery period, including possible time spent in the hospital. The more superficial treatments -- camouflaging and ointments -- are not as traumatic to the skin. Camouflaging causes the type of skin irritation consistent with applying the tattoo in the first place. Ointments and creams may cause mild irritation or allergic reactions, but are generally free of side effects.
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