Though earlier it was not possible to remove a permanent tattoo from the body completely, with modern technology, this has become possible. One of the main factors that people want to know is the cost for erasing tattoos. So, here is an article that gives you complete information on costs for tattoo removal.
Tattooing different parts of the body has become a craze among many people, especially teenagers. Each person has his/her personal reasons for getting a tattoo. Some people consider it as a way to emphasize their individuality, while others do it for expressing their love for a person or a thing. Many youngsters do it just because their friends have it, and they do not want to be seen as different from the rest of their group. Though there are several sensible as well as weird reasons for people to get a tattoo, there are actually more reasons for them to get rid of it.
An adult who got a tattoo during his college days may think it as a juvenile idea, or if a person had inscribed the name of his/her ex-lover, they will surely see the tattoo as undesirable or unwanted. In such cases, the only thing the person wants is to remove the tattoo under any circumstance. However, there are various factors that one has to consider before getting the tattoo removed, and one among them is the tattoo erasing cost. The cost of removing a tattoo will depend upon the method of tattoo removal that is chosen by the person. Therefore, before we try to find out how much does it actually take to remove a tattoo, let us discuss briefly about the different methods used for tattoo removal.
Methods of Tattoo Removal
When you decide to get your tattoo removed, the first thing you have to do is consult a specialist in cosmetic surgery who will tell you about the different options you have, which include:
Tattoo Removal Cream: The most cost-effective tattoo removal procedure, tattoo removal creams cost about $100 to $200 and must be bought from a reputed manufacturing company. Though most creams claim to completely remove a tattoo, most are under-performers. Therefore, one must research on the product quality, ingredients and the reputation of the product before investing.
Salabrasion: Salabrasion is a method where the tattoo is removed by scrubbing that part with sea salts. This can be done even at home, however, this method is a little risky as too much of scrapping can lead to scarring as well as infection. Also, there is no guarantee that the tattoo will disappear, rather, it may just become a little faint.
Excision: Excision is a method where the tattoo is removed surgically, along with the skin on which it was present. If the tattoo is a small one, the skin is removed and the area is stitched. However, with a larger tattoo, skin is taken from another part of the body and placed on the area where the tattoo is present. With this procedure, you are likely to end up with a scar in the place of the tattoo.
Dermabrasion: In this process, the tattoo is removed by scraping that area of the skin with a rotary abrasive brush which helps in removing the tattoo ink. This process is usually undertaken by giving general anesthesia and it may take several sessions to see the desired results. Moreover, the person will be left with a faint mark on the tattoo area.
Laser: Among the different methods of tattoo removal, this is the best and the most effective one. Though in most cases, the tattoo leaves the body without any trace, one will have to go for several sessions to gain the perfect result, especially if it is a large colorful tattoo. This is because different types of lasers are required for different colors, and there are certain colors like pink, yellow, turquoise, etc., that take a lot of time to get erased.
IPL (Intense Pulse Lighting): IPL is probably the most expensive tattoo removal method, and is quite similar to the laser therapy. An intense light is passed through the tattoo to break the link. This process works best on the brightly colored tattoos, though several sittings are required for complete removal.
Cost of Tattoo Removal
Though the cost of tattoo removal varies upon the removal method that is chosen, it is much more expensive than what it takes to get a tattoo done. Another factor that influences the cost is the geographical area of the person. Nevertheless, different types of removal have different costs, and it also depends on the size, colors and the part of the body where the tattoo is made. If you are looking for low-cost tattoo removal, it has to be salabrasion, as you do not have to invest a lot on buying sea salts. However, as there are lots of risks attached to this technique, it is better to avoid this and opt for a tattoo removal procedure that is done by doctors.
If you are opting for the excision or dermabrasion method of tattoo removal, the cost will go from some $100 to $1000, depending upon the number of sessions required, and also the type of anesthesia given. The rate may also be different among different surgeons. The last option is the laser method, which is the most expensive among all the other methods of tattoo removal. Laser tattoo removal cost ranges from $200 to $500, for every session. The usual time to remove the tattoo by using laser method can be something around 5 – 20 sessions, depending upon the size of the tattoo. Hence, the average cost for tattoo removal by laser method will be around $10,000. Moreover, if anesthesia is used to relieve the pain experienced during this process, the cost may increase by $50, per session.
Remember that just to save money, do not opt for any creams or lotions that promise to remove your tattoo. Such creams can be quite expensive, however, they are just a waste of money because they are not really effective. Sometimes, the tattoo may turn more dark, rather than going away. Therefore, if you want to really get rid of your tattoo, invest in a procedure that is safe, proper, and cost-effective.
