“Show me a man with a tattoo and I’ll show you a man with an interesting past.” – Jack London
It’s a nice quote with a lot of sense in it. Getting a tattoo is very popular at any age. From the earliest centuries until today, people have had their body parts tattooed in different colors for various reasons. It all started with religious rituals to show someone their pure love, and it became about showing their inner personality to the outside world. Whatever the reason, tattoos are appreciated all over the world.
On average, 25% of people who have had their body tattooed will start thinking about tattoo removal or covering it up with a new design in a few years.
People are born to make mistakes and learn from them, but tattoos are not so easy to take back. Tattoos can lose their value when the tattooed person begins to regret them for an unavoidable reason. So tattoo removal became a thing, allowing anyone to get their skin back. So how much does the removal of tattoos cost? Well, it depends on the size, the placement of the tattoo, the way of removal, and the duration of the removal.
Why does anyone wants to remove their tattoo?
A tattoo can be the coolest gift ever invented, but it comes at a high and painful cost, and when for some reason you feel sorry for yourself, trying to remove the tattoo is also very painful and expensive. It could simply be time to refresh your skin: maybe you have the name of a former lover or a gang tattoo, or perhaps you need to cover the tattoo for work reasons. According to a study conducted in 2013, 14% of Americans regret getting a tattoo at some point.
There are several reasons why people may like to have their tattoo removed:
- When the tattoo and your personal image no longer match.
- Your partner doesn’t think its cool.
- Your parents aren’t okay with it.
- Skin darkening or skin diseases may affect the tattoo design.
- Aging may affect the tattoo.
- The tattoo is the name of a former lover.
- Some employers may not allow their employees to have visible tattoos.
- You may be afraid of being judged by other people.
- Religion.
These are a few reasons why a tattooed person may try to get rid of the tattoo completely.
How Much Does Tattoo Removal Cost?
It makes a difference whether you have decided to lighten your skin or remove the tattoo. But it is better to know a little about the process of tattoo removal before going any further. Here are a few basic questions that every tattooed person should ask themselves before deciding on a tattoo removal:
- Do I have to remove the tattoo or is it enough to just cover it up?
- How do I choose the best method for removing a tattoo and how much does the tattoo removal cost?
- How long will it take?
- Will I be able to bear the pain of tattoo removal?
- How do I find the best tattoo removal technician/doctor?
These are some important questions that you should answer yourself, at least to get an idea about the removal process. Therefore I will expand on these questions as clearly as possible.
Tattoo Removal Decisions
Removal or Cover-up?
It is important to decide whether you want to remove your tattoo completely from your skin or just cover it up by transforming your old tattoo into a new design. Yes! The best tattoo artists can turn the name of your ex-boyfriend or girlfriend into a puppy or dragon. But both options will cost you a lot of money and long sessions with the doctor. But in the end, it will be worth it!
Methods available for tattoo removal
There are a few methods available for tattoo removal. Each one varies in terms of duration and cost. These techniques are listed below:
- Cover up Method – The tattoo will be transformed into something new.
- Using Tattoo Removal Creams – This is possibly the easiest way to remove tattoos: by applying some cream. But it is not always medically advised. Skin is not the same for everyone; for some, the cream can cause allergic reactions and completely spoil the skin. The duration will also be very long, and the creams can cost you between $30 and $350.
- Excision Method – Surgical removal of the tattoo is another option. However, it depends mainly on the size of the tattoo. A cosmetic dermatologist will remove the tattoo in one session if the size is small, and the duration will increase the better the tattoo. With the excision method, the cost will be about $150 to $1000 per session. The biggest disadvantage of this method is that you may get an infection, scars and discoloration.
- Dermabrasion Method – After seeing this operation performed on a friend of mine, I felt like it was some kind of punishment from hell. According to experts, this method is not effective at all, and if it removes the tattoo completely, there will still be stains. The process is done by rubbing the top layer of skin with sandpaper. This can cost you about $1000 to $2500.
- Intense Pulse Light Method – Several wavelengths of light penetrate your skin until the ink disappears (in a similar manner to laser therapy). It is a difficult way to remove a tattoo and you may regret it in the end: after the removal, there will be bleeding, blistering, ink expulsion and scars.
- Laser Tattoo Removal – A laser beam penetrates the skin and completely dissolves the tattoo. After a session, you may still see some shading, but it will eventually disappear. It is a very effective method for removing tattoos. The time per tattoo is very short and affordable. Laser therapy like Q-Switch and YAG are highly efficient methods for each tattoo. This procedure can cost between $150 and $300 per session from small to very large symbols.
The costs mentioned above are only averages. They vary depending on your location and the monetary value in your country. The total costs do not include any after-treatment products such as anti-allergic cream, creams against infections, etc. So plan ahead to choose the best method for your skin.
Timeline
The schedule for removing the tattoo also depends on the size and placement of the tattoo. It can be removed in 2 to 4 sessions, but it will only disappear completely after ten sessions or so. There are two options if you are looking for a tattoo removal site in your area. Firstly, a doctor or cosmetic dermatologist is the best option to remove your tattoo quickly and (relatively) painlessly. However, the biggest disadvantage is that it is not easy to get an appointment according to your wishes. Therefore, tattoo removal clinics or medical spas offer the same work and are more flexible with schedules.
Both places of tattoo removal differ in terms of schedule and cost. So it is better to visit the place and see for yourself which option will be better for your skin.
Risk involvement in tattoo removal
In the beginning, there will be a slight pain, but after a while, it will not be a big problem anymore. This is because several renowned tattoo removal clinics use numbing gels during the process. So it depends on the tattoo removal technician you choose.
Bottom line
People tattoo their bodies to show their inner personality to the outside world. But the removal of a tattoo from your body has become necessary for some unavoidable reasons. Removal can be painful and costly, whatever the method you use. So consider everything carefully before you get a tattoo, and think again before you get one removed too.
Read Next: How Much Does It Cost To Adopt A Child In Your Family?
