Getting a tattoo has become a rage, and interestingly it has been observed that a quarter of the adult population in the US has a tattoo. However, 17 percent of them want to get it removed as well. There was a time, when removing tattoos was impossible and a gigantic task, but with changing times tattoo removal has become common and easy as well.

There are several ways to remove a tattoo which are as follows:

Laser treatment

Removal cream

Surgical removal (excision)

Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL)

Dermabrasion

The most popular treatments for removing tattoos are the laser treatment and the removal cream. The other three methods have not been very popular. This is due to the fact that surgical method and dermabrasion are very painful while IPL proves to be very costly. Thus let us delve in greater detail on the other two methods.

Laser Method:

In this method, a laser throws a beam of light on the tattoo. The light indulges in transferring the energy on the tattoo. The light gets absorbed by the several colors and pigments of the tattoo. The laser which is used for this procedure is the Q- switched laser which breaks down the pigments of the tattoo. The feeding cells of the skin then absorb and merge with the cells leading to discoloration of the tattoos.

The laser method is a popular method but which might now work effectively for all, thus one should consult the expert before indulging into this treatment. Usually when blues and black are used immensely in the tattoo, the removal of the same seems doubtful through this method.

Pigment/ cream method:

There are available certain creams which one can apply at home. There are creams which help to break the pigments of the tattoo over a period of time and cause the tattoo to fade.

Another type of cream is one which instigates an inflammatory response to the skin. This reaction helps in pushing the pigments out of the tattoo along with the ones in the cream.

Using the creams method of removing tattoos is better in comparison to the laser method. This is due to the fact that it proves less painful. Moreover, it proves to be cost effective as well. Interestingly, it is said that it is more guaranteed to remove a tattoo by this method.