Buzz
Are you regretting your tattoo purchase? With tattoos becoming a significant industry, the number of people experiencing tattoo regret has soared. While there are now effective procedures for removing unwanted tattoos, many DIY methods have also emerged, some of which are unsafe or ineffective. Here's what you need to understand about using salt for tattoo removal, along with other valuable insights into getting rid of your unwanted ink.
Procedures
Understanding What Not to Do
Exercise extreme caution when considering salt as a tattoo removal method. Whether your tattoo is fresh or aged, using salt to eliminate it is risky. Here's why:
- Your skin consists of two primary layers — the dermis (inner layer) and the epidermis (outer layer). When you get a tattoo, the ink penetrates beyond the epidermis and into the dermis. Applying salt onto the epidermis is ineffective. To reach the ink, you'd need to access the dermis, which is unlikely through salt rubbing. Even if you were to remove the top layer of skin to access the ink, it's unlikely to yield positive results.
- Rubbing salt onto your tattoo can result in severe abrasions. It may also lead to skin discoloration, wrinkling, and potential scarring. Undertaking this procedure at home can have serious adverse effects and could worsen the appearance of your tattoo.
Understand the Origins of this Misconception. There's a dermatological procedure that involves using salt as a mild abrasive, but there's likely a simple reason why salt became associated with tattoo removal. When you get a tattoo, you're advised not to expose it to water, especially saltwater. So, if avoiding saltwater helps preserve a tattoo, could soaking it in saltwater help remove it? That's the flawed logic behind this myth.
- However, soaking your tattoo in saltwater will only cause the ink to disperse, run, or potentially fade. It won't make your tattoo vanish magically. In fact, your tattoo might look worse after soaking it in saltwater, especially if it's freshly inked. If your tattoo is several weeks old or more, soaking it in saltwater likely won't have any effect at all.
Know that procedures that use salt as an abrasive do exist.
Trying DIY salt abrasion, also called salabrasion, is probably not the best idea. As mentioned earlier, you're likely to hurt yourself and do more harm than good. But there are professional procedures out there that use salabrasion, and some of them can be promising.
- According to a German study in the National Institute of Health database, salabrasion had "perfectly acceptable to good results" in tattoo removal. In this study, wrinkling did occur, but not scar formation.
- In one salabrasion procedure, a topical anesthetic is applied to the top of the tattoo. An ink gun-like device used a saline solution to effectively puncture the dermis and draw ink up instead of deposit ink in the skin. Effectively this is like getting a tattoo in reverse. The procedure heals in 6 to 8 weeks. Ask to see testimonials before agreeing to the procedure.
Exploring Alternatives
Consider Laser Tattoo Removal. Laser tattoo removal is the safest and most effective method for getting rid of an unwanted tattoo. During this procedure, highly concentrated pulses of light are directed at the ink, which helps break it down and significantly reduce its visibility.
- The cost of laser tattoo removal varies depending on the size of the tattoo, ranging from $100 to $1,000 per session. Despite the cost, it's one of the most cost-effective removal methods available.
- Typically, it takes four to six sessions, sometimes even up to 10, to completely remove a tattoo. The number of sessions depends on factors such as the colors used, type of pigmentation, and the amount of black, blue, green, and red in the tattoo.
- Laser tattoo removal should be performed by a licensed professional using appropriate lasers. It's essential to research the facility's licensing and laser technology before undergoing the procedure.
Consult with an Aesthetician Regarding Dermabrasion. Dermabrasion is a procedure similar to salabrasion, administered under the supervision of trained professionals. It involves sanding down layers of skin to reach the ink.
- This method is less expensive than laser treatment, typically costing between $1,000 and $2,000. However, dermabrasion can be as painful as getting a tattoo, and the ink may be more visible after the procedure compared to laser removal.
Explore Cryosurgery and Chemical Peels. Cryosurgery involves freezing the skin and using liquid nitrogen to burn off the ink. Chemical peels induce blistering and shedding of the skin, helping to remove some tattoo ink. While not widely popular due to their cost and discomfort, they may be worth considering in desperate situations.
Discuss Surgical Options with Your Doctor or Aesthetician. Surgery is the last resort. A doctor uses a scalpel to remove the tattooed skin and tighten the surrounding skin. Although a topical anesthetic may be applied, the process can be painful and results in a new scar.
Valuable Tips
- After each treatment, apply antiseptic ointment to prevent infection and cover the area with sterile gauze.
- Be patient if results are not immediate; achieving desired outcomes takes time.
- Avoid excessive rubbing, which may cause pain and bleeding.
The advice provided here is derived from the real-life experiences of Mytour readers like yourself. If you have a useful tip to contribute, please share it with us below.
- It's crucial to carefully consider before getting a permanent tattoo. Temporary tattoos lasting weeks are available; consider trying one first to confirm your desire for a permanent one.
- Alternatively, embrace your current tattoo! With time, you might come to appreciate it. If not, you could opt for another tattoo to cover the existing one.
Warnings
- Those familiar with 'The Salt Challenge' understand that rubbing salt on the skin can induce a burning sensation. Please exercise extreme caution!
- This method can be hazardous and lead to undesired pain and scarring.
- Avoid applying salt to open wounds.
