Who says you can't erase the past?

It seemed like a good idea at the time. You and your significant other had planned to spend a lifetime together and a piece of permanent body artwork felt like an appropriate tribute to your eternal bond. Inevitably, the bond wore out and the tattoo ultimately outlasted the romance. Now what?

 

Tattoos remain an incredibly popular cultural fad, with nearly a quarter of Americans sporting at least one tattoo. However, the permanency of body art means that tattoos stay the same even as your tastes, job, lifestyle, and love life evolve. I’ve seen many patients walk into my office, wondering what possessed them to etch a butterfly on their ankle or a dragon on their back. Fortunately, technological advances in tattoo removal can save you a lifetime of proclaiming your love for an ex or sharing the evidence of your rebellious youth.

 

Laser removal technology has been called “the gold standard” in tattoo removal and, in my own experience, I have found this method to be extremely safe and effective. Through this treatment, lasers use different wave lengths of light to selectively target color pigments, disrupting the chemicals in the tattoo without damaging the surrounding skin. I generally see the best results after 7 to 10 treatments, spaced about 6 to 8 weeks apart. The length and frequency of treatment varies tremendously from person to person, with size and color impacting the efficiency of the removal process. Smaller tattoos can also be removed through a minor surgical excision, but may consequently leave a scar. Amateur tattoos don’t penetrate the skin as deeply and thus they are often easier to remove than permanent ones. 

 

In addition, lasers can remove black tattoos more efficiently than colorful tattoos, particularly those comprised of red, green, or yellow. If you have a colored tattoo, it’s especially important to find an experienced dermatological surgeon that uses a laser that targets all ink color. Unfortunately, tattoo removal remains a time-consuming process and the removal procedure is much more expensive than the cost of the tattoo itself. Still, all hope is not lost. If you regret your permanent body art, laser removal can ultimately put your tattoo-sporting days behind you. Who says you can’t erase the past?