If you regret getting a tattoo, and do not want it anymore, you can utilize one of the several methods to remove it. If laser removal sounds too expensive for you, read on to know how to go about tattoo removal at home.
It is rightly claimed that getting your body inked is highly addictive. However, many times, people may realize that the design on their body doesn’t hold relevance in their life anymore. Hence, they may want it removed. It is a permanent mark on one’s body, so after its removal, it will almost certainly leave either a scar, or some remnants of the ink.
One of the most widely used methods of tattoo removal, is treatment by laser. The effectiveness of this method is inconsistent, as different people respond differently to it. It is also a painful method, and does not come cheap. Alternately, you can choose to remove your tattoo at home. There are many ways in which you can do this. However, there is a high chance of developing infection, or your body ending up permanently scarred. If you wish to remove a highly colorful and intricate design, it is advisable to go to a specialist, and undergo laser treatment. Home removal should be done only when the design is simple and unicolored.
Tattoo Removal Cream
This is one of the most commonly employed methods, and is considered the safest. There are a multitude of creams and balms available in the market, and they are widely accepted as least damaging of all methods. However, they take a few months to start showing results, and for certain skin types, they may not work at all. If you are hesitant to go in for surgery or other extreme means, it’s better to try your hand at cream first. These creams lighten the ink on your skin, and make the tattoo fade away, by working on your skin pigmentation. Success is not guaranteed, but it is most definitely worth trying. Some commonly available products are, Tat B Gone, Tattoo-Off, and Wrecking Balm.
Sand the Tattoo Off
By using an abrasive material, you can remove your tattoo, as it is inked into the epidermal layers of your skin. If you’re scrubbing away the top layer using sandpaper or a pumice stone, make sure you use anti-bacterial powder to avoid infection. Consult a doctor before you do this though, as you may have sensitive skin, that may not tolerate this procedure. Also, remember that this is not a method suitable for people with low pain thresholds. While performing this method, wash the design with soap, and then begin scrubbing or sanding, till the area starts bleeding. Wrap it in bandages, and let a scab form and fall. Repeat this procedure again if you choose to. This method is commonly known as dermabrasion.
Tattoo Fading With Salt
You may come across certain tattoo artists, who will agree to draw over your unwanted design, using a saline solution. This technique is advisable only for old designs that have weathered away over time. Another time to adopt this method is when you wish to make an old one fade away, and get a new one over the same area.
Excision Methods
Since tattoos have been around for a long time, even before laser surgery existed, there were other more crude ways of getting them removed. Most of these can be very painful, and their effectiveness is highly debatable. In almost every case, they will end up leaving a permanent scar on your body, and also carry a very high risk of infection. One such method is known as excision. In this, the tattoo would actually be peeled off, and the remaining skin sewn back together. It goes without saying that this is not advisable.
A tattoo is after all permanent ink on your body, so removing it is always going to be a difficult proposition. Ideally, this situation should simply be avoided by carefully pondering over whether you’re getting the right design for yourself. It’s a permanent commitment, and you need to be completely ready for it, before you go ahead and ink yourself.
Disclaimer: This ThoughtfulTattoos article is solely for informative purpose and not intended to replace the advice of experts.
