There is more than one cost of tattoo removal. Usually when people think about the cost of tattoo removal they think about the money that comes out of your pocket to pay the surgeon. But there is more to it than that. There is also the physical pain associated with removing the tattoo and the mental pain that goes along with wanting to remove a tattoo which was supposed to be permanent. Depending on the type of tattoo removal procedure that you use, the out of pocket cost varies widely.

Your first stop when deciding to remove a tattoo, should be to a dermatologist. The doctor will look at your tattoo and discussion your options, taking into consideration the age of the tattoo, the size, and the color. All of these go into determining the best tattoo removal option that you should use.

The most popular way of removing a tattoo, is through laser or a pulsed light procedure. These procedures are different, but basically, they both use light to break up the pigment in the tattoo. After the pigment is broken up into microscopic particles, the body will eliminate it naturally. These procedures are the most expensive, with the pulsed light being the most expensive. Each treatment can cost upwards of $200, and most tattoos need 5 to 10 treatments. It is not uncommon for a large colorful tattoo to cost $10,000 or more to remove.

Dermabrasion, salabrasion and excision are also surgical procedures to remove tattoos. These procedures sand off or cut out the tattoo. All leave an open wound so there is a high chance of scarring and infection. The cost of tattoo removal by these methods could be about $2,000.

If you want to go for a painless and less expensive method, you can try tattoo removal creams. These work by rubbing in creams that break down the pigment and fades it away. This methods take several months to see an effect - if any. One month of cream can run $100 or more.

If it’s just the design of the tattoo and not the idea of having a tattoo at all that is bothering you, you can get a tattoo cover up. Find a tattoo artist that specializes in cover ups and you can get a new tattoo with no traces of the old design.

The methods for removing tattoos have come a long way.  There was a time, not too long ago when getting rid of a tattoo meant surgery or processes that involved sanding or even acid. Ouch!  Well technology has advanced and the two most popular methods today involve using fade creams and lasers.

While the fade creams are popular, their effectiveness remains a big question.  That leaves laser technology– which is considered the safest method and produces the best results for most people. But laser tattoo removal does not come without its drawbacks.  It can be expensive, very uncomfortable and still comes with the risk of possible scarring.

How painful is laser removal?  That is different for each person, because every person has a higher threshold for pain.  It also depends on the parts of the body where the tattoo being removed is located. Areas like the toes and feet can be much more painful than other parts of the body.   The feeling having a tattoo removed by lasers is said to feel like a rubber band snapping over and over again in a very concentrated area.  To minimize the pain, some people prefer to have a topical numbing cream applied over the tattoo prior to the treatment.   The laser procedure actually goes pretty fast-just takes a few minutes for each visit.

The cost of having a tattoo removed with lasers will vary depending on the size, the type and color of ink that was used, how deep it has penetrated the skin, age of the tattoo and skin type.  More than one application is normally needed.   After each treatment you will need to give several weeks for the wound to heal before returning for follow up visits.  For complete removal it can take anywhere from just a few visits to more than a dozen.   This is only meant to be an estimate, but a 3 inch square tattoo, requiring 9 visits, can cost between $800 and $1,000.

Scarring associated with laser tattoo removal used to be more prevalent than it is today.  This procedure does not come without its risk for scarring, and you should always consult a dermatologist or medical professional first, but with the newer lasers the risk for scarring is much less common today.  The one factor that comes into play with scarring is the skin type of each individual.

For one reason or another, individuals often decide to have a tattoo removed. Perhaps it depicts a former love that is no longer a part of that person’s life or perhaps they just no longer want that specific tattoo on their body. Whatever the reason, it often becomes a consideration and one that must not be undertaken without some serious thought.

If you are considering having a tattoo removed, the first thing to do is to make an appointment with a local physician or dermatologist in order to discuss your wishes. He/she will examine the tattoo, it’s condition and will then determine which method is the best for complete removal. It is important to note that tattoo removal does involve surgery which, in itself, does carry potential risks and side effects. Even the simplest surgery can result in complications, so be sure to consider tattoo removal very carefully. This is why it is so important to make sure that you really want the tattoo before going ahead with it’s application.

In most cases, your physician or dermatologist will be able to give you a step-by-step explanation of how the procedure will be done, how long it will take and what type of recovery you can expect. Understandably, the site of surgery will be tender for some time and will likely result in some type of scarring. However, with time both will lessen until the scarring is minimally visible. The ultimate answer as to the level of scarring will depend on the size of the tattoo. A larger image will result in a larger scar than, for instance, a small butterfly tattoo. As one would expect, certain areas of the body are more sensitive and are therefore more likely to be sensitive to pain.

Once a decision has been made to remove the tattoo, an appointment will be made for the procedure. This may or may not be an outpatient surgery, which will determined by any complications that arise during the procedure, the patient’s overall health and/or the likelihood of an allergic reaction to any medication given. Often, patients are held overnight for observation before being sent home. It is important that patients speak with the surgeon regarding any possible risks associated with the procedure.

The cost of having a tattoo removed can be quite high, especially if the tattoo is large. The majority of health insurance companies will not cover these costs unless the tattoo must be removed for medical/health reasons. Otherwise, the full financial responsibility will be assigned to the patient who must then figure out a way to pay for the surgery. Many hospitals offer a payment plan to those who cannot afford the total cost upfront. Arrangements for any type of payment plan must be made prior to the surgery and must be approved through the hospital’s billing department.

This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is not intended to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or recommendations for tattoo placement. Before deciding on getting a tattoo or having one removed, the patient must consult a licensed medical doctor for medical advice and/or to determine the best course of action for his/her individual healthcare needs.