Why Would You Need Tattoo Removal?

If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your tattoo or just regret getting it in the first place, you may decide you want to remove it. One survey found that more than 75 percent of respondents admitted to regretting at least one of their tattoos.

Additionally, you might opt for tattoo removal if you have an allergic reaction to the tattoo or experience other problems, such as an infection.

Most people are candidates for tattoo removal, but there are some caveats. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not have a removal treatment, nor should someone who has a compromised immune system.

How Is Tattoo Removal Performed?

Tattoo removal can be performed using different techniques. When choosing a treatment option, you and your provider may consider the size, color, design, and age of your tattoo.

Laser Removal

Today, lasers are the preferred method for removing tattoos. The treatment uses concentrated light waves to heat ink particles in the skin. These particles then break into smaller pieces that your body’s immune system clears away.

Most people will need several laser treatments to achieve their desired result. The length and number of treatments depend on the size of the tattoo and the colors used. Some lighter ink colors, such as green, red, and yellow, are more difficult to remove with a laser than others. Black and blue are usually the easiest to target with a laser. In some cases, it may not be possible to remove a tattoo completely.

Surgery

With surgical tattoo removal, doctors simply cut out the skin that contains the tattoo. Then they pull the surrounding skin together and close it up; it will leave a scar. This method is more suitable for smaller tattoos.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is a technique that involves using a special tool to sand down the skin and remove layers that contain ink particles. Dermabrasion isn’t commonly used for tattoo removal because it often provides inconsistent results and leaves significant scarring. More than one session of dermabrasion may be required for tattoo removal.

While do-it-yourself tattoo removal creams and other home treatments are available, they aren’t likely to be effective and can cause skin irritation or other reactions.

How to Prepare for Tattoo Removal

Before having a tattoo removal procedure, you should meet with your provider to discuss your options and expectations. It’s important to know that there’s a chance that your tattoo can’t be completely removed, though it may be much less noticeable. Your doctor may take photos of your tattoo so you can track your progress with each procedure.

You should let your doctor know about any medical conditions you have and any medications or supplements you take.

On the day of your procedure, avoid applying any lotions or perfumes in the area of your tattoo.

What to Expect During Tattoo Removal

What you can expect during tattoo removal will depend on the procedure you have.

Lasers can be painful. Some people describe the sensation as having a rubber band snapped against the skin. Your doctor might offer you a numbing cream or shot before the procedure to minimize the discomfort.

If you’re having surgery or dermabrasion, you’ll likely receive local, regional, or general anesthesia, depending on the size of the tattoo being removed.

Chemical peels are considered mildly painful, but they usually don’t warrant the use of an anesthetic.

What Are the Complications and Side Effects of Tattoo Removal?

A few days after treatment, your skin may peel, blister, bruise, swell, scab, or appear red. These issues usually go away within a week or two.

You may also develop light or dark spots on your skin. They should disappear within six months to a year.

Most of the time, side effects will go away, but you may have scarring, uneven texture, or other changes to your skin that are permanent.

Call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms after your procedure:

Fever or chills
Extreme pain, swelling, warmth, or redness of the affected skin
Oozing pus at the site of treatment

Care After Tattoo Removal

Your provider will give you specific instructions on how to care for your skin after tattoo removal.

After a laser treatment, you’ll need to clean the wound with soap and water. Your doctor may tell you to apply an antibiotic ointment and keep it covered until it heals. Most laser wounds heal within one to two weeks after the procedure. You’ll need to wait a few weeks before you can have another laser treatment.

If you had a surgical tattoo removal, your bandages should be left alone for 48 hours. When you remove them, you should wash the surgical site with soap and water daily. Your doctor may tell you to apply an antibiotic ointment and dressing over the wound for a week after the surgery.

It’s important to keep all your follow-up appointments with your doctor.

You should also take measures to protect your skin from the sun for at least three months while it heals.

Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.

Resources

Tattoo Removal: Lasers Outshine Other Methods. American Academy of Dermatology. November 28, 2023.
The Statistics Surrounding Tattoo Regret and How to Avoid It. Advanced Dermatology.
Tattoo Removal: Options and Results. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. August 3, 2023.
Tattoo Removal. Mayo Clinic. January 20, 2024.
Tattoo Removal. American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Jacquelyn Dosal, MD

Medical Reviewer

Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Jacquelyn Dosal, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Skin Associates of South Florida in Coral Gables. She practices general, medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology.

Dr. Dosal provides compassionate care to all her patients, listening to their concerns and creating a treatment plan with each patient's priorities and real life in mind.

She is a member of the voluntary faculty at the University of Miami.

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Julie Lynn Marks

Author

Julie Marks is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health, lifestyle, and science topics. In addition to writing for Everyday Health, her work has been featured in WebMD, SELF, Healthline, A&E, Psych Central, Verywell Health, and more. Her goal is to compose helpful articles that readers can easily understand and use to improve their well-being. She is passionate about healthy living and delivering important medical information through her writing.

Prior to her freelance career, Marks was a supervising producer of medical programming for Ivanhoe Broadcast News. She is a Telly award winner and Freddie award finalist. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, traveling, and cheering on the UCF Knights.

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