Why You Should Think Twice Before Trying At Home Tattoo Removal
Regret comes in many forms. Sometimes, you regret saying something to someone that you love. Sometimes you regret not deleting that dating app sooner. This can…
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At-home tattoo removal kits and creams promise a cheap, quick fix for ink you regret, but they can burn and scar your skin. Here is why DIY methods are so risky, and the safer professional options for removing an unwanted tattoo.
DIY Tattoo Removal Kits: How they work
Vadim Zakharishchev/ShutterstockTattoos can't be removed. Tattoos are meant to be permanent. In fact, although the Food & Drug Administration has approved several laser devices to remove tattoos, there's still no guarantee you'll get the results you want with them. "Complete removal with no scarring is sometimes possible," Mehmet Kosoglu, Ph.D. of the FDA, who is responsible for reviewing and clearing these laser devices to remove tattoos. Even if you endure sessions after sessions, that doesn't mean your tattoos will disappear. This is the problem with a tattoo that's supposed to last forever. In addition to being more affordable than visiting a clinic, DIY tattoo removal kits are also quick and efficient. These kits often include a laser pen, but they don't work for tattoo removal due to their wavelength. They can also cause severe damage, such as blistering and permanent pigmentation problems (via Removery). While you may not like your tattoo, it is possible to love a wonky-colored mark. The irony is that one product in particular, Neatcell, claims that it removes scars, too. Scars are not able to be removed. They can become less noticeable over time but Merriam Webster's definition of "scar" is "a mark (as on skin) that remains after tissue has healed."
Why you should reconsider your position A DIY Tattoo Removal Kit
You should always treat anything with the "DIY" label with caution. If you're making centerpieces for your wedding, or creating candles with Venus de Milo shapes, there isn't much risk. You have to consider your health as well as your ability and willingness to work for a professional. If you wouldn’t give yourself a tattoo then you shouldn’t remove it. You should always treat anything with the "DIY" label with caution. If you're making centerpieces for your wedding, or creating candles with Venus de Milo shapes, there isn't much risk. You have to consider your health as well as your ability and willingness to work for a professional. If you wouldn’t give yourself a tattoo then you shouldn’t remove it. While DIY tattoo removal kits can be appealing as they save money and time, these are not good enough reasons to risk taking such a high-risk decision. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons the average cost of removing a tattoo is $423 per session. Also, it takes more than one treatment to remove a tattoo. Bethany Cirlin, tattoo specialist and tattoo removal expert tells Glamour that it takes at most two years to remove a complete tattoo. To get the best results, it is important to schedule laser treatments three months apart. This will allow your body to completely heal before the next session. No one is going to fault you if you prefer a quicker and cheaper way out of your tattoo. However, it's still worth the investment and the time it takes. It is not worth making a mistake only to make another.Related reading: our guide to professional tattoo removal, the tattoos people regret most and red flags to watch for before getting a tattoo.
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Tattoo enthusiast and writer at News Tattoos. Passionate about tattoo art, culture, and the stories behind the ink. Covering the global tattoo community since 2022.
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