Posted: Tattoo Removal
It was a great idea – at the time. You thought you’d always love Joe and tattooing his name on your neck seemed like a great way to stay connected forever. Then you met Hank and suddenly your ‘JOE’ tattoo feels like a huge ball and chain around your neck rather than a few little letters and the sooner that tattoo is off your neck, the better.
If you are thinking of tattoo removal, you are not alone, especially if you’re a woman. Two comparative studies done by Myrna L. Armstrong, RD, EdD, of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center found that more women than men wanted their tattoos removed. Interestingly, some women discovered once they got their tattoo that societal support for them was not as strong for women as it is for men, even in our contemporary society.
Even though more women then men seem seek tattoo removal, the reasons given by both men and women are similar. The top 6 reasons given by both men and women for tattoo removals are:
58% just decided to remove it
57% suffered embarrassment
38% had lowered body image
38% new job/career
37% had problem with clothes
25% experienced stigma
Above all, the main reason given for tattoo removal in either sex was because they had a “shift in their identities” and wanted to get rid of their past, whether the past included an ex-love’s name, being part of a gang or because they no longer think having a tattoo is as cool as they thought it was when they had it put on.
It’s interesting to compare the reasons many people get a tattoo with why they have it removed. The study sited above showed that those same people who were seeing a dermatologist to get their tattoo remove, originally had it put on for the following reasons:
44% wanted to feel unique
33% wanted to feel independent
28% wanted to bring attention to a particular life experience.
The purpose of this article is not to evaluate the maturity or the wisdom of those who got tattoos or to discuss whether or not getting a tattoo was the right way to go about achieving their goals. Rather it is to say that it is not uncommon in the least for many people who got a tattoo – for what ever reason – to later regret it and to have it removed. In many cases, having the tattoo removed can show greater maturity and wisdom than the initial decision itself.
Having said that then, there is no reason not to remove a tattoo unless the method one chooses to use is too cost prohibitive – such as laser tattoo removal. There are less expensive methods and all should be equally explored prior to making a decision. However, for most, the tattoo removal cost, and in come cases the pain, are a relatively small price to pay to have the burden lifted of wearing a tattoo you now seriously regret. Methods of tattoo removal are many, such as, laser tattoo removal, tattoo removal cream or a simple tattoo cover up and of course tattoo removal cost is a factor to consider.