Your Choices for Tattoo Removal

A tattoo should be looked at as permanent body art, so when you're deciding to get one, plan on it adorning your body forever. That said, no matter how much you love your tattoo when you first get it, your opinion can change as time passes. There are tattoo removal options available, but be warned that they carry risks and may not be 100 percent effective.

About Tattoo Removal

The ink used in tattoos is designed to be permanent. Tattoo removal isn’t a viable backup in case you don't like your tattoo because you can’t count on any method working to remove every trace. Tattoo removal can be very expensive, take weeks or months to complete, and may even require surgery. Most important, tattoo removal methods aren't always successful — though they may minimize the appearance of a tattoo, they may not always completely get rid of it or restore skin to a flawless state. Above all, you should never attempt to remove a tattoo yourself or have it done at a tattoo parlor. Instead, you need to meet with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to talk about safe and most effective options, like laser tattoo removal.

Tattoo Laser Removal

The most effective tattoo removal method involves the use of lasers. "Tattoo removal can be performed with a laser, which targets the ink and breaks it down," says Tom Pousti, MD, a cosmetic plastic surgeon in the La Jolla/San Diego area of California.

Tattoo laser removal involves a series of treatments over several months with a laser — certain types of laser work best on specific tattoo ink colors. The laser is pointed at the tattoo and sends short bursts of light energy onto the skin; each session may only last a couple of minutes. Then the immune system is able to rid the body of the ink (or pigment) that was treated with the laser.

Tattoo laser removal is not without drawbacks. "There is always a risk with laser tattoo removal — the possibility of not being able to remove all of the ink, scarring of the area being treated, and pigment changes of the skin around the area being treated with the laser," says Dr. Pousti.

Effectiveness depends on a number of factors, including how big the tattoo is, the particular ink used, and how long you've had it.

"Different colors react differently to the laser, and some ink colors are very stubborn and cannot be removed 100 percent," adds Pousti.



A Surgical Option for Tattoo Removal

Some tattoos that don't respond to laser tattoo removal may need to be surgically removed. Excision of the tattoo, where it is cut out of the skin, “has the risk of any surgical procedure — bleeding, scarring, infection, etc.,” says Pousti. It's also important to be realistic about the procedure and its after-effects. "The patient must understand that there will be a scar, but that it will fade with time," adds Pousti.

Tattoo Removal: What Not to Try

Dermabrasion, a surgical procedure in which the top layer of skin is scraped off, is effective at resurfacing skin to get rid of wrinkles or acne scars, but, says Pousti, it's not very effective at getting rid of the ink of a tattoo.

Pousti also cautions about believing the claims of makers of over-the-counter tattoo removal cream. "I haven't found any creams that work," says Pousti.

Tattoo Removal and Skin Care

If you want to attempt to get rid of your tattoo, do it right. Work with a medical professional — don’t rely on a tattoo artist or a jar of cream. Follow your doctor's instructions for skin care following your laser tattoo removal, as skin can be sensitive and may need special attention to protect it, minimize scarring, and prevent infection.

Realize that tattoo removal isn't something to take lightly. If you haven’t already gotten a tattoo, give serious consideration to your decision before you get inked.