Coming to Terms with Your Tattoo Regret

Body ink has become a huge trend today, moving beyond the tattooed biceps of sailors and bikers to people of every age and all walks of life. In 2014, more than one in five adults in the U.S. admitted to having at least one tattoo, according to a Harris Interactive poll. The rise in the number of tattooed people and the increasing societal acceptance of tattoos has also led to an increase in “tattoo regret,” a term coined for those who have second thoughts about their body art, perhaps wishing for it to be covered up with a new tattoo or removed entirely.

Reasons for Tattoo Regret

There are a number of reasons why you may want to remove or cover up a tattoo:

  • The tattoo symbol or name is no longer relevant to your life (ex: names of exes, symbols from your college days)
  • The tattoo is in a visible location and makes you feel self-conscious about your appearance
  • Your tattoo is not high quality work
  • Your body ink is prohibiting you from landing your dream job
  • Your tattoo has significantly changed or faded over time

No matter your reason, tattoo removal is becoming nearly as popular as getting your art from the local tattoo parlor. With innovative laser technology today, eliminating unwanted ink is easier than ever before.

Sticking with the Process

Elimination of body ink is not an instant process. It takes a number of treatment sessions, usually spaced around 6-8 weeks apart, to achieve satisfactory results. It is helpful to remember the potential benefits of tattoo removal as you go through the process – whether it is renewed self-confidence, the ability to wear certain articles of clothing or the shot at a job promotion – to keep you motivated until you see the results you want.

William Umansky, MD and Jeffrey Umansky, MD perform tattoo removal at Umansky Plastic Surgery. The procedure usually takes less than an hour to complete and improvement will be seen after each treatment session. To learn more about tattoo removal, contact Umansky Plastic Surgery at 858-281-4560.