Laser Removal of Tattoos
If you have a tattoo that’s not “you” anymore, you can use laser removal to remove the tattoo and put it behind you. Lasers are the most widespread way to remove tattoos. The highly concentrated light of the laser breaks the tattoo’s ink into tiny fragments that disappear in your own immune system. It takes more than one treatment to completely remove the inks, and treatment can be painful and expensive. (Treatments can range anywhere from $250 to more than $800 each.) The more treatments that you undergo, the more damage can be done to your skin, including scabs and painful blisters that may leave scars. With improved technology, many experts say scarring is now nominal, and in some cases, non-existent, but it varies with the size and complexity of the tattoo.
Other Tattoo Removal Methods
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy, (also called “IPL”), used a high intensity light, similar to a laser, that removes inks in much the same way a laser does. The operator applies gel to the skin, and then uses a wand to pulse light onto the tattoo. It’s supposed to be less painful than laser removal, and it can be more effective in removing the tattoo, as well. That means you won’t need as many treatments as laser removal therapy, but the price is higher than laser removal, too.
Cream Tattoo Removers
There are several cream tattoo removal products on the market, and they claim to fade the tattoos without damaging the skin. They take several months to work, and they are quite expensive, however, they’re far less expensive that other tattoo removal methods. You should check their effectiveness by looking at reviews of the products by people who have used them.
If you have an older tattoo that you want to fade, you can contact your local tattoo artist to see if they will tattoo your art with saline. The saline is used just like ink, and it can help fade the tattoo enough that you can cover it up with a new tattoo. In many cases, covering up a tattoo with a new design is the most effective way of getting rid of a tattoo that is no longer fitting. Whether you use laser removal for your tattoo, or some other method, it’s important to note that most health insurance policies don’t cover cosmetic surgery or any complications from surgery.
Remember to check with your medical professional for more information on any cosmetic or plastic surgery procedures.