Tattoos: Things to Consider Before Getting or Removing a Tattoo

Every one makes mistakes in life, but some mistakes were just meant to be mistakes that were put on you permenantly. It just happens to be that tattoos are rather permanent mistakes. Nonetheless, if you hate your tattoo, you have four options:
1. Cover it up: If you still want to have a tattoo, just not that one, you should consider covering it with a bigger tattoo. The obvious problem is that you have to think of one that will cover the old one and that you will like better so that you don't have to get rid of it five years down the road. You have to choose something that either incorporates or blocks out the old tattoo.
2. Cut that sucker right out of there: You get a physician to remove the skin with the tattoo and suture the sides together, though it will definitely leave a noticeable scar. There are two ways to remove a tattoo through excision. First, a physician can place a small balloon under the skin that is inflated so that the tattooed skin gradually stretches. When it has stretched out enough, the physician cuts the skin and stitches it up, leaving a thin scar. Second, the physician can simply cut out the skin in small patches and sew it together, which can create significant scarring.
3. Dermabrasion: The skin may scrape or "sandpapered" off or, alternatively but no more appealingly, chemicals are applied, after which the skin is peeled off. This is time-consuming, but it scars less than excision and it costs less than lasers.
4. Laser removal: Lasers are probably the best method, as laser technology has improved significantly. It doesn't hurt and it has a pretty good success rate. However, it costs a lot and it can still cause scarring or discoloration of the skin. A laser removal session usually costs about $300 and it can take five or more sessions to remove a tattoo. Lasers are less effective at removing lighter colors such as green or yellow.

Remember to think it through before erasing any art in your body. Was it worth it? How much did it cost to get it done and will it be more to get it removed? So before you go to get it changed or removed think about the future next time you get a tattoo and what to get and what not to get because this permanent pen is something worth keeping.