Perhaps in high school you got Chester the Cheetah inked onto your arm, and now you’ve been thinking about tattoo removal. Is it possible to reverse the damage done during a tattooing and come out like a clean slate afterward?
Overview
It doesn’t matter why you don’t want your tattoo, whether you just don’t like the way it looks or it just doesn’t fit your personality anymore. About a fifth of the people that get ink done end up regretting it later so you’re not alone in this regard.
Sizing up tattoo removal as a viable option for your tat can be tricky business. You can look at several before and after pictures of previous clients but you won’t really be sure it works for you and your specific case unless you try it and measure the results.
The Claim
Tattoo removal clinics claim that they can get you back to your pre-tattoo appearance through the use of laser treatments. These lazers work to break up the inky deposits in your skin so that your body can go to work on breaking them down. Over time and with continued treatments your tattoo should gradually fade away.
The Cost
Tattoo removal is rather expensive, when compared to the initial cost of getting the tattoo. This is because it’s not a one-shot procedure. The tattoo is removed one layer at a time so this requires multiple trips to the clinic, adding to the cost. No one can tell you how much it will cost until they see your tattoo and can estimate from there. It can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars depending on how advanced the procedure is, and how big and dark your tattoo is.
The Commitment
You have to be willing to go to as many sessions as required to get the desired look that you’re going for. These sessions could be spaced out months at a time to allow your body to heal from the previous treatment. This requires sticking to your regimen and not skipping any of the appointments. You should also commit to a healthy lifestyle while you are undergoing treatment, to facilitate your body’s immune system helping the healing process occur more quickly.
Evaluation
In recent years tattoo removal has come a long way. No longer do they resort to methods such as abrasion, cutting the tattoo off, or trying to freeze it off. They take a more scientific method towards it and systematically zap it away one session at a time. If you have the money for it, can tolerate a little pain and discomfort, and make all of your scheduled appointments you should see decent results over time.
Does Tattoo Removal Really Work?
Tattoo removal works insofar as reducing the appearance of most tattoos, but each individual person’s results will vary. Factors such as the size of the tattoo, the color of ink used, and its location will all serve as indicators of how long treatment will last, and how striking the results will be.
For many weeks or months your tattoo may not look like it has changed in its appearance, which leads many people to think that it’s not working and they stop treatment. This has lead many to believe that it doesn’t work.
Our Recommendation
If you’re unhappy with your tattoo, or you feel that it is keeping you from getting the job you want it is likely in your best interest to pick a reputable clinic and have them perform the work. Consulting with a physician beforehand is the safest way to determine the kinds of results you’ll experience.
It’s best to not get your hopes up exceedingly high and then be disappointed with what you receive. Going in with a level head and realistic expectations is the best way to experience pleasant tattoo removal results.
It’s also best to take a long-term view of the situation, and realize that even though it only took an hour or so to get your tattoo, since it was meant to last forever it will take some time for it to go away.
