Remove tattoos It is the other side of the coin of getting a tattoo. The desire to want to remove a design that no longer convinces us, or even that we can no longer bear to wear, are the most common reasons when it comes to wanting to remove a drawing from our skin.
Fortunately, although in the past it was much more difficult, today, thanks to lasers, we can remove any design from our skin safely. However, are there other solutions? And, above all, are they recommended? In this article we will try to answer these and other questions.
Removing a tattoo, the other side of the coin
Getting a tattoo is not silly and you have to be very clear about it before taking such an important step. Tattoos are in fashion and there are many people who do them for the simple fact of wearing it without thinking that it is for life. Over time, many people regret it and do not know what to do to eliminate it from their body. The reasons for wanting to remove a tattoo can be many: heartbreak, work or the simple fact of a change in lifestyle.
There are studies that indicate that a percentage of people who decide to get a tattoo regret having done it over the years. As we said, today, luckily, the laser allows to eliminate the tattoo practically completely and without damaging the skin. The treatment varies according to the size of the tattoo, the ink and the colors and the area of the body in which the design is located. The number of sessions will also depend on the type of tattoo you have.
How to remove or remove a tattoo from the body
First of all, you should know that removing a tattoo completely is not easy and it is a slow and expensive process. That is why it is important to emphasize that you have to think about it well before getting a tattoo. However, we all make mistakes at times and it is nothing strange (or any drama) that we end up getting tired of a design and want to eliminate it. The important thing is to go to professionals who know what they are doing and avoid possible irreparable damage to the skin.
Here we will talk about a few techniques to remove a tattoo from our skin. As you will see, some are more recommended than others and some are even dangerous.
Salabrasion, a very dangerous method
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We started strong. The term may sound familiar to you salabrasionInA homemade tattoo removal technique that uses salt to remove the epidermis, that is, the most superficial layer of the skin and, thus, eliminate the ink. It is not uncommon for other very similar techniques to enter the network, in which, for example, sand is used instead of salt.
It seems simple, cheap and practical right? And so it is, but also It is a very dangerous technique. The abrasion of the skin can cause serious problems such as an infection and even in most cases it leaves an ugly scar or is even unable to remove the entire design, so it is not recommended to carry it out. And it is that cheap is sometimes expensive!
Natural solutions with aloe or lemon
Other recommendations that you may have heard circulating on the net are related to supposed natural tattoo removers. For example, aloe vera with yogurt or lemon juice. Although in both cases there is no conclusive proof that they work, aloe is super good for treating sunburns and hydrating the skin. However, keep in mind that lemon juice, being very acidic, can irritate your skin, especially if you sunbathe.
The cover, a practical solution
If you don't like a tattoo, but you don't want to undergo laser or other even more invasive techniques, you can always cover yourself. Summarizing, a cover consists of covering a tattoo ... with another tattoo. As you can imagine, all designs are capable of working with a cover (for example, total blacks are impossible to hide), but there are real artists who can do fancy things and turn an old, ugly and bland tattoo into a real wonder.
Sometimes you can apply a few laser sessions so that the tattoo fades a bit and thus make the tattooist's job easier. As always, it is best to discuss these issues with your tattoo artist and doctor.
Surgery, an infallible remedy
However, if you are one of those who solve their problems in the style of Gladiator and you want a method of removing tattoos that really works, maybe what interests you the most is surgery. In this case it is only advisable to do it with small designs since it consists of a specialized surgeon (nothing to do at home) remove the piece of skin where the tattoo is with a scalpel and then sew the wound.
The laser, the most recommended method
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And finally we come to the star of tattoo removal methods, the laser. Although below we will talk about this method in much more detail and answer some questions, in summary the laser consists precisely in that, in applying very powerful lasers to reach the epidermis and absorb the ink or make the body expel it. It is one of the most reliable and effective methods.
Laser-related questions and answers
Although the laser is a well-known method of removing tattoos, it is normal that we have some questions on its operation at a general level. We answer them below:
How many sessions are needed?
Typically, five to ten laser sessions are necessary when removing a tattoo. It depends on the type of design to be removed and a simple phrase tattoo is not the same as one that occupies the entire back. As if this were not enough, you have to leave a few months between sessions so that a large tattoo can take a couple of years to be removed at least.
Other factors that can influence when removing a tattoo are the type of skin and the depth of the ink in the skin. For example, covers, which we were talking about a moment ago, are more difficult to eliminate.
How much does it cost?
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In addition to being a slow process, laser treatment is quite expensive, since each session can cost from 300 to 400 euros. As always, prices vary from clinic to clinic, but a good way to consider the average price is to keep in mind that removing tattoos costs about ten times more than doing them.
What process is followed to remove the tattoo with a laser?
The process of removing a tattoo from the skin begins with the application of topical anesthesia and an antibiotic occlusive cream. This cream should also be applied the day after the session to avoid possible risks of skin infection.
The laser is applied directly to the tattoo pigment and does not harm the skin. Thanks to the laser, the ink particles break down and are eliminated by the body itself. Each session can last almost ten minutes, although, as we said, it depends on the size of the tattoo you want to remove.
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Once the tattoo has been removed, the area should be covered with a dressing for about three days. You must remember that the treated area is much more sensitive than normal. Experts advise not to expose this area to the sun for at least a few months. That is why it is recommended to undergo laser sessions during the winter months. In addition, if you undergo the laser you must wear a gauze or a bandage to protect the intervened area.
It hurts much?
Removing a tattoo hurts, it is true, but it is not a beastly and excruciating pain. In fact, it is comparable to the pain you felt when you got the tattoo, which is still something poetic.
Tips for removing tattoos
As you can see, removing tattoos is not an easy thing, since it is a rather long and expensive process. Not everyone can afford that much money to have a body tattoo removed. That is why before reaching such an extreme, it is good to be very safe when it comes to getting a tattoo. However, if you are really determined to take it off, remember:
- Visit a dermatologist so that you can decide together what is the best way to remove your tattoo.
- Do not try homemade methods that can be dangerous for the skin, like salabrasion.
- Si finally you opt for the laser, find out about the clinics around you and choose the most professional one.
- Si you choose to cover yourselfFind an expert tattoo artist in this type of tattoos and talk to him to find the best design together.
Tell us, do you have a tattoo that you want to remove yes or yes? Have you tried the laser? What has been your experience? Remember that you can tell us what you want in the comments!