Regret comes in many forms. Sometimes, you regret saying something to someone that you love. Sometimes you regret not deleting that dating app sooner. This can cause you major heartbreak. Other times, you may regret the tattoo of a dolphin smoking hookah at age 18 that you assumed you would love forever. Sometimes regretting a tattoo is normal.
Advanced Dermatology found that 78% of tattoo owners regret having at least one. 63% of the regrettable tattoos are less than the size one’s hand. While regret can be a strong reason for someone wanting to remove a tattoo, it is not the only reason. It could be that the tattoo lost its meaning, or it didn’t age well for some (via Clean Slate Laser Clinic).
Pete Davidson and others see it as a matter of effort. Pete Davidson said to Seth Meyers, “I didn’t think they would put me into stuff,” on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” May 2021 (via Youtube). “I thought that after SNL it would be a wrap. I didn’t think I’d get the opportunity to act. I love it very much. Meyers heard from Davidson about his long and painful process of getting tattoos done for film roles. He also described the terrible pain that comes along with having to have them removed. Davidson explained that these tattoos are similar to burning skin. He also said that he wears big goggles to block out any light. This is a very intense procedure, and should not be done at home. It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to try.
DIY Tattoo Removal Kits: How they work
Vadim Zakharishchev/Shutterstock
Tattoos can’t be removed. Tattoos are meant to be permanent. In fact, although the Food & Drug Administration has approved several laser devices to remove tattoos, there’s still no guarantee you’ll get the results you want with them. “Complete removal with no scarring is sometimes possible,” Mehmet Kosoglu, Ph.D. of the FDA, who is responsible for reviewing and clearing these laser devices to remove tattoos. Even if you endure sessions after sessions, that doesn’t mean your tattoos will disappear. This is the problem with a tattoo that’s supposed to last forever.
In addition to being more affordable than visiting a clinic, DIY tattoo removal kits are also quick and efficient. These kits often include a laser pen, but they don’t work for tattoo removal due to their wavelength. They can also cause severe damage, such as blistering and permanent pigmentation problems (via Removery). While you may not like your tattoo, it is possible to love a wonky-colored mark. The irony is that one product in particular — Neatcell — claims that it removes scars, too. Scars are not able to be removed. They can become less noticeable over time but Merriam Webster’s definition of “scar” is “a mark (as on skin) that remains after tissue has healed.”
Why you should reconsider your position A DIY Tattoo Removal Kit
You should always treat anything with the “DIY” label with caution. If you’re making centerpieces for your wedding, or creating candles with Venus de Milo shapes, there isn’t much risk. You have to consider your health as well as your ability and willingness to work for a professional. If you wouldn’t give yourself a tattoo then you shouldn’t remove it.
You should always treat anything with the “DIY” label with caution. If you’re making centerpieces for your wedding, or creating candles with Venus de Milo shapes, there isn’t much risk. You have to consider your health as well as your ability and willingness to work for a professional. If you wouldn’t give yourself a tattoo then you shouldn’t remove it.
While DIY tattoo removal kits can be appealing as they save money and time, these are not good enough reasons to risk taking such a high-risk decision. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons the average cost of removing a tattoo is $423 per session. Also, it takes more than one treatment to remove a tattoo. Bethany Cirlin, tattoo specialist and tattoo removal expert tells Glamour that it takes at most two years to remove a complete tattoo. To get the best results, it is important to schedule laser treatments three months apart. This will allow your body to completely heal before the next session.
No one is going to fault you if you prefer a quicker and cheaper way out of your tattoo. However, it’s still worth the investment and the time it takes. It is not worth making a mistake only to make another.
