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Tattoo Removal for Teens

Tattoos are becoming increasingly popular and less of a social stigma. Teenagers getting tattoos may grow to regret them as they get older. There are methods for removing what used to be a permanent decoration.

  1. Teenagers Getting Tattoos

    • It is illegal to tattoo a minor without written parental permission. A teenager who is 18 years of age or older can get a tattoo without parental consent.

    Old Method

    • If a teenager wanted a tattoo removed in the past, it required surgery to remove that part of his skin. The procedure involved grafting skin over the area from another part of the body and sewing it shut.

    Laser Surgery

    • Now, teenagers who regret a tattoo can have laser surgery to remove it. The laser blasts radiation at the tattoo site, breaking down the ink over time. It may take several treatments for the tattoo to disappear, and it may never completely go away.

    Risks

    • The laser removal site may leave a scar, or become infected. There is also the risk that the procedure won't work completely. If you have a very dark or very large tattoo, it will be more difficult to remove.

    Where to Go

    • Some teens can go back to their tattoo parlor for removal because more and more parlors are offering that service. It's a better idea to consult a dermatologist about laser tattoo removal.

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