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Tattoo Removal

Table of Contents


Overview

There are many ways to try to remove tattoos, including:

If you have a tattoo that you would like to have removed, talk with your doctor about what steps you should take. The cost of tattoo removal may not be covered by insurance.

How well does it work?

While lasers work well to remove tattoos, sometimes it isn't possible to remove all traces of the ink. There are several reasons tattoos are hard to remove. Tattoo inks aren't regulated for color density, and the ink is pierced into the skin at different depths.

It may take multiple sessions to remove your tattoo. Laser removal can cause blisters, scars, or a lasting change in the color of your skin where you had the tattoo. Skin color change is more likely to happen in people with darker skin.1


References

Citations

  1. Khunger N, et al. (2015). Complications of tattoos and tattoo removal: Stop and think before you ink. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 8(1): 30–36. DOI: 10.4103/0974-2077.155072. Accessed February 6, 2023.

Credits for Tattoo Removal

Current as of: November 16, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
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