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Tattoos are meant to be permanent, so it probably doesn't come as a surprise that removing one can prove difficult. Fortunately, difficult doesn't necessarily mean impossible. If you have a tattoo that you aren't fond of, you may not be stuck with it forever. Learn whether or not your tattoo can be removed, and then determine which type of tattoo removal procedure is best for you.

Likelihood of Removal

Tattoo ink penetrates your skin at deep levels. Because of this, it's sometimes difficult to remove a tattoo completely. Older tattoos that are applied professionally are easier to remove, because even though the ink is applied deeply, it's applied uniformly. The uniformity makes it easier for larger areas of ink to be removed at specific depths. Homemade tattoos that are applied with an uneven hand don't have the uniformity needed to make removal simple, so there's a chance that a homemade tattoo may not be removable completely. Additionally, tattoos with that are made with newer ink, pastel colors, deep blue ink, or black ink, are hard to remove. So, if you want to have a tattoo removed, it's best to keep an open mind. There's always a chance that complete removal of a tattoo isn't possible. If you're worried, you should ask the technician how well the results will be before you start the tattoo removal process.

Laser Removal

Laser tattoo removal treatments work by using highly concentrated laser rays to break up the ink in your tattoo into smaller fragments. Once the ink is broken up into fragments, your immune system naturally clears the tiny ink fragments from your body. The process is often done in several sessions, and most patients have between five and ten sessions to complete the process. You won't know how many sessions that you need to complete until you begin the process. However, typically people with older tattoos and people with skin types on the lower end of the Fitzpatrick scale have greater success with laser tattoo removal and will require less treatments.

Intense Pulse Light Therapy

Intense pulse light therapy works the same way as laser tattoo removal treatments. However, instead of using a laser light, a high-intensity light is used. During the process, gel is applied over your tattoo. Then, the technician uses a wand that emits pulses of light onto the area of skin being treated. In some cases, intense pulse light therapy can work better and be less painful than laser tattoo removal, so you should consider having a consultation before deciding which process to use.

The fact is, tattoo removal treatments may not remove your tattoo completely. However, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't have the procedure completed. Remember, if your tattoo isn't completely removed, it will be faded enough for you to cover the area with makeup as needed or have a tattoo that you love put in its place.