Tattooing is a form of self-expression. However, who you were at 18 years old might not be who you are at the age of 30. If you are considering having a tattoo removed, there are a variety of options to choose from, thanks to modern technology. Although many of the newer methods are successful in removing tattoos, the treatments are expensive and can be painful. Since most health insurance companies will not cover tattoo removal, it is important to do your research, compare prices and get recommendations.
Laser Removal
The most recent advancement in laser tattoo removal is the Q-switched laser. According to the Department of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania, Q-switched neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet, alexandrite and ruby lasers are all successful in removing tattoos without scarring the skin. The different types of lasers have different levels of effectiveness depending on the color of the ink. For example, the Q-switched Yag is most effective in removing black and dark blue ink. Laser removal requires multiple treatments, can be painful and may be incomplete when used on multicolored tattoos.
Surgical Removal
Surgical removal is generally recommended only for small tattoos. For larger tattoos, it is a last resort and only performed after other options have failed. The procedure involves the complete removal of the tattoo--and the skin containing the tattoo--with a scalpel. The skin then is stitched back together; in the case of a large tattoo, skin grafting is necessary. The process of surgical removal is expensive and painful and may leave visible scarring.
Camouflage
Camouflaging is a process that removes the visibility of the tattoo. The tattoo itself remains. There are a few different options when it comes to camouflaging. You can have new pigments injected at the site of the tattoo to form a different pattern or image. You can also have skin-colored pigments injected to cover the tattoo and make it invisible. Although the pigment used will match your skin tone, it may not look completely natural because the skin has a translucence that the injected pigment does not have. Camouflaging is about as expensive as getting a tattoo and, if done correctly, is effective in covering the unwanted tattoo.
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