If you are thinking of removing your tattoos, then you are not alone. A lot of people have decided to remove their tattoos for different reasons. But you should know that your decision to remove them may not be without side effects. So, you have to be prepared for the consequences you are going to face.

Top Reasons Why People Remove Tattoos

Different people will have their tattoos removed for a variety of reasons, including personal, professional, and medical reasons.

  • Personal change

If you want to consider a personal change, you may no longer have a fixation for a tattoo. Thus, it may no longer align with your current identity, beliefs, or preferences. This is also common if you have regrets over your impulsive or poorly-thought decisions of having a tattoo in the first place.

  • Professional concerns

There are some industries or workplaces that may have policies to discourage visible tattoos. Therefore, you need to have them removed for certain reasons. Likewise, you may wish to appear more conventional in professional settings that will render tattoos as inappropriate.

  • Other related concerns

Other concerns include tattoos that are related to former partners may no longer be meaningful. So, they need to remove them for reasons of moving on. At the same time, there are certain medical or skin issues that may develop around the tattoo area, which require removal to enable treatment or healing.

Potential Side Effects of Tattoo Removal

The use of laser to remove a tattoo is the most common. Laser tattoo removal breaks down tattoo ink particles using a laser. The good thing about this procedure is that it is the least invasive option for ink removal from the skin. Despite being very effective in removing tattoos on the skin, the ink may be absorbed by the body after the procedure. The side-effects may include redness, swelling, and minor blistering around the area. For some, there is temporary skin lightening or darkening, but scarring is rarely observed.

Others may apply dermabrasion that will remove layers of the skin with the use of a rotary tool. The possible side-effects will include skin irritation, redness, or discomfort with a higher risk for scarring. But there is also a surgical way to remove tattoos, which involves cutting out of the tattooed skin and stitching the area. This method may also result in permanent scarring, but may only be limited to smaller tattoos.

How to Minimise the Side Effects

For reasons of minimising the side-effects of tattoo removal, you can do the following steps. First, choose a skilled practitioner to handle this procedure. To lower the dangers, you can have the tattoo removed by a licenced dermatologist. Moreover, you have to follow the aftercare instructions in order to prevent infection and scarring. Likewise, you may use advanced technology like Pico lasers because they are considered safer and more effective for the removal of tattoos. Most of all, you have to be patient because you may undergo multiple sessions, spaced apart to allow skin to heal properly.