How to Get Rid of a Tattoo

We all have regrets, and tattoos top many people's lists. But no matter how misguided or foolish our misspent youth was, tattoos don't need to be the permanent reminder that they used to. Here are a number of techniques used to getting rid of tattoos. The effectiveness of these removal techniques depends on a number of factors.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Discuss it. Make sure you go through all of your options with a doctor. The more you understand the risks and advantages of each technique, the better your final decision will be.
2. Rub it away. "Fade Away" creams break down the ink into smaller particles which are then absorbed by the body. This is a very slow process, and there is not much clinical data to support the manufacturers' claims.
3. Peel it away. Chemical Peels should be conducted by trained doctors. A chemical compound is applied to the skin which will cause it to eventually peel off.
4. Cut it away. Surgical Excision removes the tattoo by cutting away the skin. This is only effective on smaller tattoos, or if done in steps on a larger tattoo. A skin graft, (using a patch of skin from elsewhere on your body), may be needed.
5. Grind it away. Dermabrasion is essentially sanding the tattoo away. The tattoo area is either numbed or sprayed with a chemical that freezes it. A tool much like you would see in a dentist's office with a spinning, abrasive surface is used on the tattoo. Salabrasion is an older, specific technique. The tattoo area is numbed, and a solution of tap water and salt is applied and rubbed in. No power tool is used.
6. Zap it away. Laser tattoo removal is the newest innovation in the field of tattoo removal. Lasers are used to penetrate the skin and to break up the tattoo ink below the surface. The body then absorbs the smaller particles and the tattoo fades.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk to your tattoo artist for recommended removal service providers. Chances are good that they already have a network of trusted doctors and clinics.
• Many tattoo removal procedures are done in stages, with steps that need to be repeated over time to fully remove a tattoo.
• No tattoo removal technique is perfect. In almost every case, some scarring or discoloration will occur.