Tattoo Removal Trend

Are you rethinking your tattoos?

There’s a growing trend on social media called “tattoo regret.” Some just desire something new because of poor artistry or fading, while others want them gone before starting a family, to change social perceptions, or for a job. Sometimes names need to be removed or reminders from a previous life. An allergic reaction or an infection motivates others.

The availability of safe removal has grown the market from $480 million in 2019 to over $1 billion in 2024. Since tattoos are designed to be permanent, complete removal is difficult. Healthline reports that most experts consider lasers to be the most successful and cost-effective. If they don’t completely remove them, they’ll be much less noticeable. It takes multiple sessions of these treatments, with 6 to 8 weeks required in between. Laser removal can cost around $450 a session. Surgical removal in one session can run from $200-$1,500, though larger tattoos may require several sessions. Skin color variation and scarring will occur regardless of the method used.

Pain is influenced by personal tolerance and the size and location of each tattoo. Comedian and actor Pete Davidson describes the process of removing most of his 200 tattoos as “horrible.”  Some compare it to the pain of a bad sunburn, while laser pulses feel like a rubber band snapping against your skin. My advice: think twice before getting one!

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