We all go through phases in life where we do things that are extreme and/or risky and we don’t realize what we’ve done until it’s all over. Tattoos can be one of those things. How many times have you heard “I got a tattoo after drinking” or “I got my tattoo because everyone else was doing it”? Next thing you know there are regrets flying all over the place because you’ve tattooed the name of a person on you and you’re are no longer together or you’ve gotten a tattoo in a place that’s not so attractive. With tattoo removal, there are things you should know. So, the next question is “How can I remove my tattoo?” Here are 6 commonly perpetuated myths about tattoo removal.
- You can get it done anywhere and it’s safe
- Removal is a quick and easy process
- Having your tattoo removed isn’t a painful process
- It’s safe for everyone
- It’s cheap
- Tattoo removal cream will work
YOU CAN GET IT DONE ANYWHERE AND IT’S SAFE
There are a plethora of spas and laser centers that are on the rise. Your removal should be done by a licensed dermatologist as they are familiar with what to look for during the removal process, they also know who they should not treat. Dermatologists are trained to look for certain complication with the removal process.
With laser removal, there are certain risks associated with the removal such as bleeding, scarring and infections. Those issues can be treated, but they should only be treated by a licensed professional. Do your research and check out the qualifications of your practitioner. You can even go as far as pulling up reviews on the doctor you’re researching. There you should be able to find what you’re looking for. It will let you know what kind of ratings they’ve received from their past patients.
Be extra careful about getting your removal done in spas and places where they don’t have a license. Your removal process can be more expensive in the long run if you chose to get it done from someone who isn’t qualified, as you may get an infection or some unexpected issue may arise that they aren’t equipped or qualified to deal with.
REMOVAL IS A QUICK AND EASY PROCESS
Removing a tattoo is a process, and it isn’t done in one treatment. To completely remove a tattoo, it can take up to one year or longer because there are many removal sessions that come with it in the process. Unfortunately, you will have to do those recurring treatments every 6 weeks or so. Healing from this process isn’t easy either, so you need to be ready to deal with swelling, bleeding and a bit of pain after each session. Each time you go for a session, your skin is being broken down into particles and has to heal afterward, then you go for another session and the same thing happens over and over again until the process is completed. You need to think about the process and the amount of time you will need to put into removing the art from your body.
HAVING YOUR TATTOO REMOVED ISN’T A PAINFUL PROCESS
Getting a tattoo itself is painful; having one removed can be just as painful. However, your dermatologist can give you a numbing agent during the process, but you’ll still have the paint to deal with when that numbing agent wears off. All depending on the size of your tattoo will determine the amount of time it takes to remove and the amount of pain you should expect to feel. You may feel uncomfortable for about a week. But you also have to take care of your skin after each process, you should be applying some type of cream to the area and you should only wear loose fitting clothes so that your garments aren’t scratching against the affected area.
IT’S SAFE FOR EVERYONE
Laser removal may not be the best option for everyone. For patients who have darker skin, the removal process will be much more difficult than that of someone with lighter skin. Laser removal can cause burns in darker skin tones as well. The laser will search for the ink on skin and when searching on darker skin it’s a bit harder for the laser to pick the ink up which means it will keep searching and you just may end up burning your skin in the process.
IT’S CHEAP
One thing about tattoo removal is, it isn’t cheap! So choose wisely before you start tattoing your skin and your face up. A trend today can be a nightmare tomorrow. If you choose a doctor to remove the tattoo, that can be a recurring bill every time you go for a session, and those sessions can run you a few hundred dollars. Estimates per session can cost about $463, per The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. After your sessions, you will also have to factor in the aftercare of the wound. All of that can be pretty costly when you’re doing it every six weeks or so.
TATTOO REMOVAL CREAM WILL WORK
Unfortunately tattoo removal cream may lighten your tattoo, but your tattoo won’t completely disappear. The laser will not only fade the ink but remove it as well.
At the end of the day, it’s all about the choices we make that may affect us tomorrow. When we are young, we don’t think about things that we do that may have an impact on us later on in life. A tattoo may look cute on your body when you are young, but as you get older and your body changes, the way your tattoo looks may change also. I’ve seen people get tattoos on their face or on their neck and the go out and look for a job and wonder why they can’t get hired. You have to think about the consequences of your actions, especially when it comes to getting tattooed.
