WebMD reports that half of all millennials have at least one tattoo. In America, as many as 30% people have had themselves inked. Since ancient times, getting inked has been considered as a way to express oneself. Symbols, patterns, portraits, mythological verses and names of loved ones have all been adorning various body parts of people since ages.
Our Bollywood celebrities have often been spotted with names of their partners inked, making it a fashion statement of a kind.
But what if the permanent tattoo turns out bad art? Or your partner is no longer with you? Or you no longer support the message that is displayed by your tattoo? 25% of people regret their decision to have a permanent tattoo. Are you one of them?
A tattoo gone wrong cannot be removed easily. Tattoo removal is expensive, slow and even painful. But if you really want to remove a permanent tattoo, you can opt for below DIY and surgical methods. Choose the one that suits you most- yet be prepared that it will take some time.
How to Remove a Permanent Tattoo
1. Surgical methods to remove a permanent tattoo
Surgical methods are often used to remove permanent tattoos. They can be uncomfortable, and some people may even need anaesthesia, but they seem to be most effective to remove unwanted tattoos. Surgical methods of tattoo removal are often expensive too. Let us discuss some of them.
2. Permanent tattoo removal with Laser
If you have decided to get rid of your permanent tattoo with a laser, make sure you pick up a good doctor. Laser removal technique breaks the pigment colors with high-intensity color wavelengths. Because black color absorbs all wavelengths, it can be treated easily, compared to tattoos of other colors for which the colors have to be selected.
You may have to take multiple sessions for removing your permanent tattoo. It depends on your skin color, the depth of tattoo ink penetration and size of it. How old or new your tattoo is will also be considered.
Laser tattoo removal has minimal side effects and is widely preferred, however, it can be quite uncomfortable. Most people manage without anesthesia, but some may need a topical one before starting the procedure. Aftercare of the affected side is advised case to case basis.
3. Removing permanent tattoo with cryosurgery
Cryotherapy, popularly known as cryosurgery, is often used to treat skin warts and other skin cancers. The process involves removing the top layers of skin by first freezing the site to cause a frostbite and then use the process of dermabrasion. Liquid nitrogen is the most commonly used freezing agent to expose the skin to extreme cold.
Though cryosurgery is economical when compared to using the laser for tattoo removal, it can also cause damage to the skin tissues beneath the superficial layer of the skin. The process can be carried out after ascertaining how your skin responds to the treatment. Cryosurgery can be extremely painful and requires the patient to be administered general anesthesia.
Cryosurgery is not suitable for sensitive skin and for tattoos with yellow or green inks.
4. Covering the tattoo with plastic surgery
Opted by many, plastic surgery can be effectively used to remove a permanent tattoo. It involves grafting of another layer of skin on the site of the tattoo. The entire process may be covered in one or more sittings and will give you immediate results.
However, you will need to identify experiences cosmetic surgeon to carry the process. You will also be required to stay in a hospital for a few days.
The cost of covering up a tattoo with plastic surgery will depend on the area, age of the tattoo and the surgeon performing the same.
5. Dermabrasion for permanent tattoos
Dermabrasion essentially involves removing the layers of skin till there is no stain of the tattoo ink. The procedure involves using a brush that moves at a great speed or a wheel that keeps sanding the layers of the skin. The process can be extremely painful and patients need to be administered general anesthesia.
You may need to sit through multiple sessions of dermabrasion for removing your tattoo. It also carries a high risk of infection and scarring and is often not deemed the safest way.
DIY methods or Home Remedies to remove permanent tattoo
Not all of us can afford to get a tattoo removed by laser! And some of us may be opposed to the idea of going under the knife for various reasons. Though permanent tattoos cannot be rid overnight, there are some tried and tested home remedies that can give results in due course of time. You will need to be patient with these natural methods of tattoo removal.
6. Scrubbing with lemon and honey
Lemon has been known for its bleaching properties and honey nourishes the skin. Mix equal quantities of lemon juice and honey and apply the mixture with a cotton ball on the tattooed area.
Doing this for many days will lighten the tattoo to some extent.
7. Lemon juice and salt for removing permanent tattoo
Mix about 100 grams of salt with the juice of a lemon to make a mixture like a scrub. Using a cotton ball, rub this mixture on the site of the tattoo for a good hour or so. Let the mixture be absorbed by the layers of your skin. You will need to do this for several days to see desired results.
You can also use Salabrasion, or salt to scrub the skin if lemon is not available.
8. Aloe vera to get rid of permanent tattoo
The magical aloe vera when mixed with yogurt makes another pack for removing a permanent tattoo. This especially suits people who cannot stand lemon and salt and have very sensitive skin. Aloe can help lighten the tattoo, especially if it is small.
Both aloe and yogurt have bleaching and nourishing properties.
9. Apple cider vinegar solution
Take a cotton ball, dab it in apple cider vinegar and rub it on your tattoo. To get maximum benefit, use sandpaper soaked in ACV and rub that on the skin. This will help the AVC penetrate the layers of the skin and lighten the tattoo.
Some people have claimed to have benefitted from this method, despite the fact that it is quite a painful way.
10. Make up cover
The easiest, quickest and painless way to get rid of a tattoo on a temporary basis would be to cover it up with some makeup. You can use concealers followed by a good foundation to hide the tattoo- and this works well for small sized ones.
For larger tattoos, use foundations especially made for hiding them. These foundations are thicker and effective to cover the linked site. Sephora stores sell one, it is economically priced at about Rs. 1200.
You can also use make-up to cover your tattoo till you make your mind to actually get rid of it or save enough for a laser.
11. Using tattoo removal creams
Many people spend thousands of rupees on tattoo removal creams, which generally turn out fad. These creams cannot get to the deep layers of skin for effectively getting rid of the ink, but chemicals can fade the inks from the topmost layer of the skin, giving the tattoo a worn outlook.
Completely fading the tattoo with tattoo removal creams is more of a wishful thinking.
Using DIY methods of tattoo removal may work if the tattoo is small, and the ink has not penetrated deep. However, salt, lemon, sandpaper etc can all cause pain and discomfort for extended periods of time. You need to take some good professional advice when considering to get rid of a permanent tattoo.
Getting a permanent tattoo done is quite a painful process, and it can be quite a regretful decision if getting it done was an impulsive decision. Make your choice wisely, be it relationships or getting inked!
