Help! I Want to Get Rid of My Tattoo

We all make mistakes. We change our minds. We change. We grow. Whether you’ve outgrown your tattoo, changed your mind about having one, or regret your decision entirely, you can get rid of it.

Tattoos are appealing as a way to express yourself. About 45 million Americans have at least one. On the flip side, 17% of people with tattoos regret them. The most common reason for regret? They no longer want the name of the person they had tattooed on their skin.

Fortunately, at Los Gatos Dermatology, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Bruce Saal, MD, offers two effective methods for tattoo removal. So regardless of your reason for wanting to get rid of your ink, here’s what you need to know about tattoo removal.

How to say ta-ta to your tattoo

Once thought to be permanent, tattoos can now be removed, thanks to advanced technology. 

At Los Gatos Dermatology, we offer the latest and most effective lasers to help fade and eliminate your tattoo: the PicoSure® laser and the TattooStar laser. These lasers work without damaging your skin or leaving scabs.

Both technologies work by targeting your tattoo with laser heat to break up the pigment. 

Eventually, over the course of several treatments and depending on the size and color of your tattoo, the broken pigment is flushed away, gradually fading your tattoo until it’s barely noticeable or completely gone. 

Tattoo removal is not immediate. Most people need between 5-8 treatments scheduled 8-12 weeks apart for the most effective tattoo removal outcome.

Am I a good candidate for tattoo removal?

Fortunately, Dr. Saal can remove tattoos from all skin tones, regardless of the color of ink. But some designs are easier to fade than others. It depends on the size and colors of the tattoo, as well as how old it is. 

For example, older tattoos that have already begun to fade are easier to remove than newer, brighter ones. Black, brown, dark blue, and green are the easiest ink colors to remove. 

It may be more difficult to remove tattoos on darker skin or if you have a preexisting skin condition such as eczema, but they are not impossible to treat. Those tattoos may take a little more time and additional treatment sessions to fade. 

Are you ready to move on from a failed relationship, broken heart, or change of heart? Make an appointment to get rid of your unwanted tattoo. Call our Los Gatos, California, office today to make an appointment with Dr. Saal.