Tattoos have experienced resurgence in popularity in many parts of the world. Many people love their body art and wish to keep their tattoos forever. However, others regret that decision, and decide at some point in their lives that they don't like that star on their ankle or dragon on their bicep anymore. They may had been under peer pressure or drunk when getting their tattoo. Or they found a new job and a conspicuous body decoration makes them feel uncomfortable in the new professional environment. What then? While it is possible to remove tattoos, fully or partially, the cost and pain of removing tattoos are typically greater than the cost and pain of getting them. So what are the available tattoo removal options? Tattoo removal has been performed with various tools during the history of tattooing. Today, common methods include dermabrasion (removing the surface of the skin by abrasion), chemical peels (a chemical solution and sometimes acid is used to scrape away the outer skin layers until the dermal layer with tattoo pigmentation is reached), tattoo removal creams (for those who want a do-it-yourself option, effectiveness of this method is debatable, though), cryosurgery (application of extreme cold to tattooed area of the skin), and excision (surgical removal). While these methods are still used, laser tattoo removal is quickly becoming the most popular procedure for removing tattoos. Laser surgery is one of the most effective tattoo removal options and causes least damage to the skin. The laser beam reacts with the ink in the tattoo and breaks down tattoo pigmentation without damaging the surrounding skin. The broken-down ink is then expelled by the body, mimicking the natural fading that time or sun exposure would create. The healing process is much shorter than with other methods; however, multiple sessions are necessary - up to 8 or more. At $150-$500 per session, this makes the laser treatment very costly - it can run up to $10,000. The number of sessions and spacing between treatments depend on various factors, including the area of the body treated and skin color. The procedure is not covered by insurance, so a tattoo that may have only cost a couple hundred dollars to get, may cost much more to remove. Regardless of which type of tattoo removal method you choose, you should ultimately consult your doctor before making the final decision. Ask for a free consultation - you'll surely have questions, and the doctor removing your tattoo should also see your tattoo to make sure you are a good candidate for the procedure. After looking at all of the options, some people simply decide to keep the body art, or even add to it, in order to change whatever they didn't like about it in the first place.
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