As many as 16 percent of Americans have at least one tattoo, according to the Tattoo Removal Institute, and as many as half of those regret their decision to become tattooed. Tattoo ink is delivered beneath the skin with a needle or a tattoo gun, where it permanently colors the skin. Because it is not applied to the surface of the skin, tattoo removal is difficult and expensive. If you are no longer happy with your tattoo and wish to remove it, there are options for ink tattoo removal that are effective.
Step 1
Apply an over-the-counter tattoo removal cream to fade your tattoo. These creams work by slowly breaking down the ink so that your body can get rid of it. The Mayo Clinic warns that removal creams are rarely effective and may cause allergic reactions or skin irritation in some people.
Step 2
Try dermabrasion to sand down the top and middle layers of your skin until all the tattoo ink is removed. After the procedure, special dressings help lift the ink out of the skin, according to the American Society for Dermatological Surgery. Dermabrasion may not be appropriate for deep tattoos. Side effects include pain, itching and sensitivity to the sun. The recovery period lasts seven to 10 days.
Step 3
Undergo Q-switched laser surgery, a procedure that involves directing a single pulse of light energy directly into the tattooed area. Laser surgery works by breaking up the tattoo ink and may require multiple visits to be fully effective. This procedure typically causes mild to moderate blistering, swelling and bleeding.
Step 4
Speak with your doctor about surgical removal of your tattoo if it is small. During surgical removal of ink tattoos, the area is numbed with a local anesthetic and then the surgeon cuts out the affected area with a scalpel. Depending on the size of the incision, stitches are used to close the wound and minimize scarring.
Tips and Warnings
- It is very difficult to completely remove a tattoo, especially if your tattoo is multicolored or if you have dark skin.
- Tattoo removal may cause scarring, skin discoloration or infection, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Things You'll Need
- Over-the-counter tattoo removal cream
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