Tattoos are incredibly popular, and around 45 million Americans have some ink on them. But what happens when you fall out of love with the art that’s now part of your body?
Tattoo regret is a real feeling plenty of people have after going under the needle. Around a quarter of those who get a tat decide that they don’t like it later.
If you find yourself saying “I hate my tattoo”, you’re not alone. All is not hopeless — read on to discover what you can do about ink you no longer want.
Medical Reasons to Remove Your Tattoos
Let’s start with why you might want to get that ink erase. There are actually a few medical reasons that can make you pause before you get tatted or make you think twice about your artwork.
When you go under the needle, if you don’t get it right, you could end up getting sick. The tattoo needle deposits ink deep below your skin’s surface which can lead to complications.
First, some inks, like black ink, can contain carcinogenic chemicals. That’s not to say that tattoos are guaranteed to cause skin cancer, but it’s a possible risk of having a lot of black ink tattoos.
Second, your skin may become infected. Some people have a reaction right away to the needle and ink while for others, skin problems start after they’ve had the tattoo for a while.
Lastly, tattoos can lead to complications when it comes to medical diagnoses or procedures. For example, skin cancer can present itself as a dark spot on your skin which won’t show up if you have a large, dark tattoo on that area.
Sometimes tattoo ink can find its way into your lymphatic fluid and lymph nodes. Dark spots from the ink might make your doctor think you have cancer when you don’t.
Other Tattoo Regrets
Not all people regretting tattoos that are permanently parked on their skin do so for medical reasons. Many times, the reason is simply personal or a matter of taste.
You might think that you’ll always be in love with your significant other so you get their name tattooed on yourself. Then one day you break up and you’re left with that unpleasant reminder.
Tattoos fade, too. That awesome quote or amazing doodle that looked gorgeous the day the ink dried can turn into a messy blur several years down the road.
Cliche tattoos, badly done tattoos, symbols that lost their meaning or tats you got when you weren’t in the best state of mind can lead to regrets. These are all valid reasons you might want to erase your ink.
What Can be Done?
What can you do about seemingly permanent artwork that’s on your body? You’ve got a few options, but it won’t always be quick and painless.
The most basic plan is to just cover up your tattoo. You can wear clothing like long sleeve shirts, put on waterproof makeup, or just use a bandage to keep your tat out of sight.
For those that want to erase all evidence of their ink, you can either get another tattoo over it or have it removed at a clinic that specializes in skin conditions.
Covering up Your Art
Putting another tattoo over an existing one is one solution to your problem. However, it’s not always the right one.
If you have a very large tattoo, it could take a lot of sessions and a lot of money to get it taken care of. Plus, your new design will probably have to be much darker than your previous one.
It’s important to talk to a trusted tattoo artist before you go under the needle again. Figure out a design that works best for whatever situation you face.
The most important part is to make sure you’re getting a design you really like the second time around. Don’t make two tattoo regrets in a row.
Tattoo Removal
Let’s talk about a more intensive and effective solution — tattoo removal. In this method, lasers are used to break up the pigmentation deep within the skin.
A system like Enlighten uses laser pulses to disrupt and eliminate pigment without damaging skin or tissue. If you do choose this method, however, keep in mind that not program is every 100% guaranteed.
Some ink is more susceptible to laser removal, like solid black or lighter colors. Sometimes colors like dark reds or yellows won’t fade as effectively.
What is laser tattoo removal like and what kind of results should you expect? Keep reading to learn more.
All About Enlighten Laser Tattoo Removal
Enlighten tattoo removal uses both long and short duration pulses depending on the density of your ink. First, longer pulses break up larger areas and then smaller pulses more effectively break up tinier shattered pigment particles.
Once your ink is broken up into the smallest pieces, your immune system takes over from there. Keep in mind this is not a one-and-done procedure; you will have to come back for a few sessions.
Getting your tattoo removed with the enlightened system will cause some discomfort. You can opt for both topical and local anesthetics when you go in for your sessions.
After receiving treatment, take care of your skin to see the best results. Keep it moisturized and make sure it doesn’t get too much direct sunlight.
Use sunscreen on the area to make sure you don’t get sun damage. If you experience any burning or itching after your session, you can apply a cold compress.
Don’t Suffer Tattoo Regret Forever
No matter what your reason for suffering from tattoo regret, it doesn’t have to be forever. You’ve got a lot of great options when it comes to dealing with your unwanted ink.
The enlighten laser tattoo removal system is a great method that comes with amazing results for most people. While there’s a little bit of discomfort involved and you’ll have to do more than one session, you’ll be pleased with what you see.
Ready to try out enlighten for yourself? Reach out to us right now for a consultation!