People have been getting tattoos for thousands of years, and even though you might not expect it, tattoo removal has been around just as long. Dating back to at least 3,300 B.C., humans have injected pigment into our skin as a way to express ourselves.
Most of the time, the end result is a feeling of pride. However, there are times when a different emotion is present–regret. If that’s how you feel, you’re not alone. According to WebMD, around 25% of folks in the US that have tattoos say that they wish they didn’t.
The reasons for wanting tattoo removal vary from person to person. Maybe you’re older now and Micky Mouse on your bicep doesn’t look nearly as cool as he once did. Or perhaps, you tattooed the name of the one you loved and now, don’t love so much. In all honesty, the reason for wanting ink gone doesn’t really matter as much as the procedures to remove your tattoo.
This tattoo removal will usher you through the process, providing info on types of removal, the risks, the costs, and even products that can help things go a lot smoother. Before and after pictures and tat removal FAQs are included as well. Although you probably wish you had a remind button, making mistakes is part of being human. Thankfully, this is one that can be undone.
Types of Procedures to Remove a Tattoo
Tattoo removal isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are different ways to get rid of your ink including both laser and natural remedies. At the end of the day, you have to go the route that seems the best personal option.
When making this choice, you’ll need to consider many factors including finances and health issues. We realize this decision is an important one, so we hope to provide vital information about the different types of tattoo removal procedures and methods.
Excision and Dermabrasion Method
The excision tattoo removal method involves cutting out the area of skin where the tattoo is. Sounds painful, right? It is. It works best for small tattoos since afterward, the skin surrounding the area that was cut away is brought together.
If you’re not wanting to go under the knife, another tattoo removal option is called dermabrasion. This medical procedure uses a grinding tool to remove the outer layer of the skin. Although successful, both of these methods are known to leave scars or change the skin’s pigment. For this reason, many people prefer to go the laser route.
Tattoo Removal by Laser
Even if you know a bit about removals by laser, what you read here might be a bit surprising. One thing we have learned as tattoo artists is that this industry is full of myths and half-truths that lead people to make uninformed decisions when it comes to both tattoos and how to get rid of them. One of these myths has to do with laser surgery.
Most people believe that it is the laser that removes the ink from the skin. This, in fact, is false. It is actually our own bodies that reject the ink. The ink absorbs the laser light on the application. As this happens, the light breaks the ink down into very small particles. Eventually, the ink shatters into pieces.
What happens next is often misunderstood. Contrary to popular belief, you won’t be peeing colors. Although your body will discard the ink like a waste through a natural filtration system. This is why removing a tattoo by laser is conducted in sessions as you don’t want to put too much stress on your kidneys.
Although this might seem stressful (it can be) the end results can be worth it. It won’t be instant, though. The releasing of the ink through the body happens over weeks, with the tattoo slowly fading out.
Later on in the guide, we will explain some of the risks of tattoo removal and there’s one important truth that I think is important to mention here: not everyone is a candidate for this type of removal. Not to scare you, but this has happened to people doing laser removal of tattoos.
This is true of people with immune system issues and those who are breast-feeding or pregnant. If you fall into that category, there are a few other good options, including some more natural remedies that don’t require a laser.
Laserless Natural Tattoo Removal at Home
Up until now, you’ve only heard about tattoo removal methods like the above which can be extreme, painful and ruining your body. After all, it’s the only thing expensive enough to really get ads on your local TV station.
As we mentioned before, it is your body’s lymph system, not the laser, that does the heavy lifting of tattoo removal of the ink hiding between your “subcutaneous” skin cell layers.
Deep exfoliation methods can bring sub-dermal ink to the surface as well. If this sounds like a fantasy, just take a look at this picture for yourself:
This is the very best starting point for learning why lasers aren’t the only option. Yes, there ARE indeed safer, lower-cost tattoo removal methods out there. For some, it’s hard to believe there are natural ways to remove unwanted tattoos and put past memories where they should be – in the past!
But, this method will fade tattoos in little as a few weeks without the pain and without spending hundreds or thousands of dollars over months or years of tattoo laser removal sessions.
If these techniques sound new to you, you should know that many of them are as old as tattoos themselves. After all, our ancestors from 2,000 years ago didn’t want to mark their bodies forever. So as they came up with the ink, they came up with the removal methods as well.
The modern ingredients we find at the grocery store are both safe and highly effective for helping flush out unwanted skin ink. Although we can’t say for sure that these will work for your skin, we’ve compiled a quick list of natural ways that some people have successfully removed ink from their skin, especially following the correct steps from the laserless tattoo removal guide. It’s important to note that natural remedies work best on light-colored, smaller tattoos.
- Salt–Removing a tattoo by rubbing table salt on it for 20 to 45 minutes is an option. It works because salt is an abrasive material. Use this one with caution, though. Although it works for many, it can cause scarring for some people.
- Lemon–Lemon is a natural bleaching agent, so many people use it as a way to naturally lighten the ink of a tattoo. Mixing it with salt can strengthen the effect.
- Honey Concoction–A mixture of yogurt, salt, aloe vera juice and honey (two tablespoons each) can also be used for tattoo removal. Rub it gently and make sure to rub it off with warm water within 30 minutes.
Tattoo Removal Costs and Prices
Before jumping into the costs of different removal methods, let me first clarify this: I love my work and I think it pays well. I typically get between $50-$200 for my tattoos depending on the size and complexity.
However, what seems unfair to me, is that a tattoo artist charges on average $100 per session, while a so-called tattoo removal “specialists” charges $500 to thousands for removing a tattoo. The reason?
Big medical companies take freshly graduated ‘doctors’ out of university with the promise of easy money. Despite a typical session taking minutes on average, a doctor charges an exorbitant amount for the luxury of beaming your skin with his special laser.
As both an artist, and natural removal advocate, something needs to be changed about the practice and this is why I’m sharing my natural methods with you.
Laser Tattoo Removal Costs
Most laser tattoo removal practitioners charge by the square inch and because of this, a laser tattoo removal session can range from $100 to $500 dollars, depending on the size of the area being treated.
Most people need 6 to 8 sessions, but larger tattoos can take up to ten rounds of removal before the ink is gone, so you can imagine the costs going up in the thousands of dollars, especially for big tattoos.
Dermabrasion Tattoo Removal Costs
The cost of dermabrasion tattoo removal varies depending on the size, type, location, age and coloring of your tattoo. According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the total cost for dermabrasion tattoo removal is between several hundred to thousands of dollars for complete removal.
It’s hard to really determine how many treatments you’ll need but certain pigments have proven to be easier to remove, with fluorescent colors being the most challenging. The downside? Tattoo removal is considered a cosmetic procedure and therefore generally not covered by your insurance.
Natural Tattoo Removal Costs
Good information about all-natural, home-based tattoo removal gets drowned out by the local laser tattoo removal clinics with bug budgets and its nonstop misinformation campaign. I’ve seen it in every community I’ve worked in and the keep trying to hide this information because once this is well-known, they will lose all their clients. Why?
Because natural tattoo removal methods are dirt-cheap compared to the costs of a single laser treatment, that leaves sub-dermal burn marks on your body. You can already get started removing your tattoo naturally and at-home for the costs of $37 by purchasing the Laserless Tattoo Removal Guide™ and some ingredients you probably already have at home.
The Risks of Removing your Tattoo
Unfortunately, there are tattoo removal risks and side effects with both laser and natural remedies. So, you’ll need to weigh them carefully before you make a choice.
Most people assume that ‘natural’ methods like using lemon or salt would be safer, but honestly, that’s not always the case. One of the biggest risks of using these kinds of ingredients, and this happens when people don’t follow the step-by-step methods from the Natural Tattoo Removal Guide, is the risk of scarring.
The same is true of surgical options, however, then your skin is in the hands of somebody else and you have to make sure they are a professional. Other risks include:
- Infection at the removal site
- Hypo-pigmentation of the skin (the skin is now lighter than surrounding skin)
- They may get darker (this is especially true of cosmetic tattoos)
- Poor wound-healing or the need for additional surgery
Although laser tattoo removal doesn’t usually leave a scar, it is the most expensive option and not as affordable. So, for a lot of people, it’s just not an option. Because tattoo removal prices vary so much from place to place and provider to provider, it’s hard to give an accurate price point in this tattoo removal guide.
The Best Tattoo Removal Creams
One final option for tattoo removal is using a cream. I usually suggest that clients start here, and if the cream doesn’t work, move on to a different method. Of course, there is no way to guarantee that the products below will work for you. However, we have seen several clients succeed using one of these options.
There are tons of options available, and to make your life easier we selected our favorite and generally the most popular removal creams for tattoos.
Wrecking Balm Tattoo Fade System
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Wrecking Balm is a low-impact, quick, and easy way to fade tattoos away and consists of a set including a microdermabrasion applicator with an erosion head, two ounces each of suffusion gel and hydravescent cream, and their Branding Butter Concealer.
Apply their system for three minutes a day every other day, and you can start seeing results in as little as two applications. This product is trusted because the system was developed in a laboratory and is clinically approved formulation that is approved by the FDA.
Although there are some negative reviews, we believe the product is not given enough credit when it is clearly a good product when being patient and consistent in order to achieve the desired result.
Another benefit is that the effect of this product is soft and does not bring any pain. Within the framework of these unique technologies, there is an increase in cellular turnover and the effective destruction of ink pigments deep in the skin that seems to be working well for the majority of users.
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Profade Three-Step Action
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Are you looking for a gentle way to remove unwanted tattoos? If so, the Profade Three-Step Action kit is the perfect solution for you. It is 100% natural, so you don’t have to worry about applying any harmful chemicals to your skin when using it. Coming in at around $56 a bottle, you can start saying goodbye to pesky tattoos for a fraction of the cost of laser removal.
When using this product daily you’ll start seeing the de-coloring in your tattoos in a time period of 3-9 months. However, the speed of the results depends on a number of variables like the type and quality of the ink used, the age of the tattoo and deepness of the ink in the skin.
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Inked Up Tattoo Removal Cream
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The Inked Up Tattoo Removal Cream is a clinically proven, tried-and-true solution for tattoo removal. This maximum strength solution is 100% natural and safe for topical use, so if you have sensitive skin, this could be an excellent option for you. The cream is absorbed quickly and will not clog your pores.
As with most of these solutions, Inkd Up tattoo removal cream also works slowly over time; I was using Inkd Up cream and Inkd Up Tattoo fading oil on a large tattoo and noticed the gradual weakening of the tattoo lines after a few weeks.
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Tat Be Gone
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Whether your tattoos are faded, distasteful, or you have changed in a personal lifestyle, you need a tattoo removal solution that works. Laser removal is one way to remove tattoos, but for many people, it is very cost-prohibitive and painful.
Tat Be Gone presents a gentle yet effective way to remove unwanted body art, and for significantly cheaper – only $64.99 for a month’s supply. The products are a part of a 3-step system that was developed in the Norwegian clinic of Doctor Jahn Ericson (and now formulated in an FDA licensed lab) thus clinically tested and approved, and easy to apply.
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MODAO Tattoo Removal
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Tattoo removal can be tough on skin, which is why it’s so important to choose removal options that won’t cause further damage to tattooed areas. MODAO Tattoo Removal cream not only fades away tattoos, but it works to moisturize the area, as well. This means you won’t have to deal with unsightly scars or discoloration that might occur when using other solutions.
When we started out using this cream, the black in the tattoo was as shiny as a clean chalkboard. Now, after 8 weeks, it has a dusty appearance, like that of a classroom chalkboard at the end of the day. You can expect it takes 5 -9 months to remove the complete tattoo which also depends on the size, colors, and how deep the ink goes in your skin.
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Tattoo Removal Before and After Pictures
When it comes to tattoo removal, the proof is really in the pictures. Here are some tattoo removal before and after pictures that show what the skin can look like once a permanent tattoo is removed using one of the methods mentioned above.
Frequently Asked Questions on Tattoo Removals
Can you completely remove a tattoo? It is possible to completely remove a tattoo. Although it is a lengthy process, hundreds of thousands of people have gotten rid of unwanted body art. There are several different routes for tattoo removal including surgical and laser methods as well as creams and natural options.
How many sessions does it take to completely remove a tattoo?
For most tattoos, it can take an average of 8 sessions to see complete results. This number can go up or down. Factors include how large the tattoo is and the color of ink used. Some people find that their skin easily releases ink while others claim their skin is more stubborn and takes longer for removal.
How long does it take to see tattoo removal results?
Signs of fading usually appear two to three weeks after a session. For this reason, you might not see results as soon as a session is over. It is important to note that sometimes, tattoo ink actually appears darker right after treatment. Eventually, it will fade.
Is tattoo removal painful?
There is almost always mild discomfort with removing a tattoo. Just how much it hurts will depend on which method you use and other factors. For example, those with a high tolerance of pain might have very little discomfort with laser treatments, and those using a removal cream or natural solution generally have no pain. Also, it depends on the area where the tattoo is located some areas are more sensitive than others.
When can I start tattoo removal?
Many people who have fresh tattoos and regret them want to have them removed right away. However, you must wait at least three months after getting a tattoo to start the removal process. The tattoo must be fully healed before any type of treatment, natural or otherwise, can be used.
Let’s fade that tattoo away
Hopefully, you learned a ton about tattoo removal options from this guide. Whether you go with the laser, natural remedies, or choose to purchase tattoo removal cream, just knowing that there are options to get rid of unsightly tattoos is the first step. We would love to hear about your decision and see your results so please leave a comment below with your experience.
Hey readers! I’m Jeffrey and your tattoo artist of the day;) I have been drawing and painting my whole life, and after graduating high school I decided it was time for a bigger challenge and I started drawing on people. I’m so fortunate I got to express my creativity through my body art and even more so to share my passion with my now wife Emilie. She started working with me in my tattoo shop as a piercer and I started writing about and photographing, my creations on this blog. I love to hear from you and hope you enjoy our work together!