I got tattoos when I was 13 yrs old, now I want them out. what should I do?
550939
Sounds like you have quite a few tattoos going on. There are a few things to consider - how much area do your tattoos actually cover?\n\nA tattoo removal cream is not going to work. I'm not familiar with them from personal experience, but I would guess that the most they would do is slightly fade your tattoo...\n\nThe only option these days to rid yourself of a tattoo is laser surgery. Unfortunately it's expensive, extremely painful, and it's probably going to take several sessions to remove all of your tattoos. Since you have looked into it, I imagine you already know this...\n\nA good option would be to look into getting a cover-up. Find a good artist and talk to him/her and work with them on figuring out a newer design that you will possibly be happier with.\n\nI imagine you're aware of that as well...\n\nSo it looks like your only option is laser surgery.\n\nIt is truly unfortunate to hear your story, and know that there are other out there in your same position probably feeling the same way. :/\nBest of luck <3
66665
You're thinking the right way.  Someday you might be in a position in a job where your appearance is critical.  A tattoo in an area that isn't concealable might be a hindrance.  You can't tell what people might think of it. I've had a tattoo for almost 20 years, and only the people I want to see it have seen it.  It's normally covered and not an issue.  As a matter of fact, I am considering a rather large tattoo (at least 8") right now and have to decide if I want it to be openly seen, partially, or not at all. I'm well established in my career, and a tattoo will not influence my job.  I still think about what others might think of it, though
487547
At least make it original.  Who cares about "tribal" symbols in the small of the back, or a flower or butterfly on the ankle.\n\nIf you want a tattoo.  Get something that is original and you will like 45 years from now.\n\nKeep in mind.  One day you may be big and fat and unable to bathe yourself.  How would that tattoo look then?
559839
Sorry, a tattoo is permanent.  The only way to have it removed is via laser surgery which is costly and not paid for by insurance.\n\nThere is an alternative though.  Buy some dermablend makeup.  It will easily cover it.  Dermablend is specifically made to cover birthmarks...particularly port wine stain...so it provides great coverage and looks natural.
193622
You dont.... You should stop and take a look at what they offer you.\nYou wouldn't be here if it weren't for them.\nThey feed you and put a roof over your head. SO, whatever little petty reason you want to "get rid of them" you'd better rethink it. \n\nI can tell you from experience that times can be tough. And I am sure that everyone can tell you that when they were younger they at least once hated their parents. However, now that we're older and can look back at that... We realize why things happened the way they  did. As a child we like to think that we know what's best for us. Feel as if your partents are holding you back, when in fact, they are saving you from the worlds nasty people and truth... It's not easy in the real world. Enjoy your parents for as long as you can. They wont be here forever and then you will have no one to turn to. Charish every day that your parents are still with us on earth. Dont let a day end without telling them how much you love 'em. If you do... Someday, you'll be sorry...
555174
The beauty of a tattoo is the personal meaning and self expression behind the artwork.\n\nYou hit the nail on the head when you said "Tattoos are forever" - that is exactly it, and that is why if you want a tattoo you need to get a tattoo for YOU and no one else. Tattoos have always been popular on and off, for better or for worse in different groups... but recently I have noticed a lot of younger people, getting large pieces in visable areas, and I think it makes others think they should do the same thing.\n\nJust keep in mind where you are getting these tattoos, and if they are going to be visable for any sort of "career" you are interested in. I don't know how old you are, but your 20s are usually spent in college, or figuring out the next step. (You change a lot!) Not saying you will regret it, but it is something to think about.\n\nTake some time, look at some designs, and figure out what you want. If you decide it is something you really want to do, then do it, and don't worry what anyone thinks. It's your body! :)\n\nI do think a lot of, younger women especially, do find tattoos on guys attractive. It really just depends. Everyone is different. That is why I really think you just need to make the decision for yourself, and not worry as much if people around you are going to like or dislike it.\n\nI wish you best of luck in whatever you decide to do! <3
345513
what if you don't get pregnant....what would you do for the other half of the ink? when i first started getting ink, i made some stupid choices i eventually had to have covered up. now, i stick to one theme. i think it looks cleaner, neater. tattoo shops don't have a whole lot, usually the artists drawings. get tattoo magazines, there are a lot of them out there. take your time and decide. people will ask you what your ink represents, do you really want to explain all that? good luck!!!
204624
i DONT KNOW WHERE YOU ARE LOCATED, BUT HERE THERE ARE MANY REPUTABLE SHOPS THAT CAN DO YOUR WORK. I SUGGEST ETERNAL TATTOOS     THEY HAVE STATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY. A LITTLE EXPENSIVE, BUT A TATTOO IS NOT SOMETHING TO GO CHEAP ON, AS IM SURE YOU KNOW
612911
I have gotten one removed by laser. Make sure they numb up the area. It is painful if they don't. It takes 5 or 6 times going in depending on the size/color of the tatoo. You have to wait a month between each session. For two weeks after a treatment you can't let the area get in the sun. The area is tender for about a week and gets discolored.  You apply antibiotic ointment. If you have any green in your tattoo, that is the hardest color to remove for some reason. The one I got removed you can still faintly see some green if you look hard. You can have permanent "light" area where your tatoo was depending on your skin tone.
686964
There are a few different ways that tattoos are removed,\nDermabrasion, where skin is "sanded" to remove the surface and middle layers\nCryosurgery, where the area is frozen prior to its removal\nExcision, where the dermatologic surgeon removes the tattoo with a scalpel and closes the wound with stitches\nLasers, have become the standard treatment for tattoo removal because they offer a bloodless, low risk, effective alternative with minimal side effects.\n\nThey are much more expensive to remove then have put on, I have a friend that went with the laser option a small little flower above her breast and 4 visits later, it is slightly visible if you a know where it was, but looks good, it took her about 650 CDN to have it removed, but she is happier not having it.  A lot of the cost depends on the size, colour used, blues, reds and blacks take longer, they are deeper in the skin.  Also the location of where they are tattoos that see the sun, generally fade from the UV (my case, half is lighter then the other, where one side never sees the sun).  Also another determining factor is how well you heal.  \nThey will all generally leave a scar but there are alot of products out now for scars:  Sudden Change does one that you apply, Poly-sporin also has one for scars check out the pharmacy where you would find the first aid stuf: antibiotics (Ozonol, Poly-sporin, band aids etc.  They work quite well.  Because it's so old you may have a better chance at removal, the inks they used then were not as synthetic as today.\n\nGood Luck!
189881
Go to the doctor, hospital, or institution in possision of them and sign a "release of information" for them for your own records. They may or may not charge for the ink but the records are yours by law. The link below is applicable in any state.
112537
My friend had a tattoo removed...it's very painful! but it is effective in removing the tattoo image... however there is a scar.
121847
Oh honey, how could a nice, intelligent, humorous girl like you have been so dumb?  Tattoos, like diamonds, are forever.\nBreak all the mirrors in your house and cut the tattooist to pieces with the shards.
222221
If you want one go for it.  I have tattoos than can be covered (on my back and rt hip), but that was my preference.  I also got tats that mean something to me.  I have a tribal butterfly that I got when I graduated HS, I'm sure you can guess the meaning.  Around it I have other tribal art that I got after a nasty breakup with an ex fiancee, and a 4 leaf clover on my rt hip bone, I survived a car accident that I probably shouldn't have.  Get what you want, but make sure in 5 years you'll like it.
1110905
I am a religious Christian and I have tattoos.\n\nRead the article on the link below about Christianity and tattoos.\n\nThen,open the bible, read the scripture and make your own decision. Dont listen to people who tell you its a sin, always read your bible and pray to God before you make your decisions. In some churches they beleive dancing is a sin, even if your dancing non sexuially just dancing around just for fun. ( I dont beleive dancing like that is a sin!)\n\nThe Bible says its a sin to "cut the flesh for the dead" which is to put markings on your body in honor of the dead. And  plus, that was part of the old doctrine, and Christians nolonger follow the old doctrine. ( we ear pork right?). Jesus Died for all our sins, and he will not judge you on your tattoos.\n\nWhat the bible does say is, Honor your parents, and by getting a tattoo behind your mom's back would be not really honoring her. Talk to your mom, and explain how your going to get it done at a clean health board approved place. Talk to her about how you thought about your decision and are not just getting it randomly.
1022141
I use to do the same thing...It comes in waves for me. Like for a few months straight I'll do it for any reason imaginable. Then, when my arms and legs would be a mess with scabs and scars, I'd stop for a few months to let them clear up. Then I'd start again. I started in the seventh grade...You need to tell your parents so that you can go see a psychiatrist if you aren't seeing one already. How THEY react will NOT be your fault so don't blame yourself. What's the worst that could happen? They get mad or scared or confused and you end up getting the help you need? Just don't think to hard about telling them, just DO it...If you take to long thinking about it, the harder it'll be to do it. Good luck, hun.
35725
Get something original drawn up by someone whose art you like and take it to the tattoo artist or check out different tattoo artists and see what their originals look like. Don't just pick something off the wall or out of the book. You're paying for a piece of art that is permanent, get something as original as you are, not a copy! Don't get any names unless it's your mom's or your kid's. If you have checked out a lot of different artists and have found one whose work you like, but still haven't quite figured out what you would like done, talk to them about your ideas and what you would like your tatt to express about you. They'll be happy to work on something that will make you happy. The dirty secret of tattoo artists is that they HATE doing other artists' flash. It's boring to them (they are just copying another artist) and they can bang them out in a hurry and charge you way more for it per hour than if you got something original. They generally don't have much respect for someone who points at some pic on the wall and says, "I want one of those." \n\nAs to where, I can only offer that as a rule, tatts over some bony part of your body like an ankle or the small of your back will seem to hurt more than on a more fleshy part like your thigh or shoulder, especially your first time. And I would generally avoid anything that you can't cover with conservative clothing if you would have a job interview or something like that. With a few exceptions (Jesse James, rock stars, NBA players) the farther down the arm the tattoo, the lower the tax bracket.