How to Remove Tattoo Ink

A tattoo represents an extremely personal and permanent statement. However, over time you may decide you no longer desire or even like the tattoo on your body. Fortunately, there are a few different ways to remove tattoo ink from your body. Neither option is cheap--they will more than likely cost more than the actual tattoo did--but they do prove effective in removing the ink from your skin. To remove a tattoo, begin with the first step (which is also the least expensive), and progress through the other steps if it is not entirely effective.

Things You'll Need

• Tattoo removal cream

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Instructions

• 1

  Apply a tattoo removal cream to the ink and allow it to sit for several minutes (may range from 10 to 30, depending on the cream you are using). This cream essentially burns off the image, so expect it to sting your skin. Wash off the cream and wait several weeks before repeating. It may take multiple attempts to remove the tattoo from your skin. Each container of cream--which is good enough for one large tattoo or several applications on a smaller tattoo--costs around $80.

• 2

  Arrange for an appointment with a plastic surgeon and have the tattoo ink removed via laser. This also essentially burns off the tattoo, but this process is more effective than the removal cream. You may need anywhere from one to ten sessions to completely remove a tattoo.

• 3

  Make an appointment for an intensive pulse light therapy process. This uses an electric pulse to remove the tattoo ink. However, it is the most expensive process because it takes thousands of pulses to remove the tattoo ink. Each pulse may cost anywhere from $10 to $25.