Tattoo regret is a very common thing. Statistics show that approximately one in three Americans has a tattoo and almost a third of those have tattoo regret. Every day, we receive a phone call or a desperate email from someone who either had a botched ink job or is completely sure they’ve made the worst decision of their life. At Inkfree, MD we have built a successful and respected practice of helping people to remove the mistakes of their youth or bad relationships with some of the most advanced laser protocols available.

So what do you do if you’ve just gotten a tattoo and immediately realize you’ve made a mistake? If you are sure that you want it removed, the next step would be to consult a professional to discuss your options. After that, you will have to live with your mistake for 4-6 weeks until your skin is totally healed. It’s OK, the world will not end. Luckily brand new tattoos are generally easier to remove as it takes a while for the ink to settle into the dermis. However, it is crucial to wait for the skin to heal.  Using a laser over freshly traumatized skin increases the risk of scarring.

So what do you do while waiting for the laser tattoo removal process to begin? The most important thing you can do in the short term is breathe! Know that you are by far not the first person who has felt a twinge of anxiety, guilt or even panic over regrettable ink. There is no point in beating yourself up over what is a very common, very human mistake.  It’s OK to cry if you need to or talk with a friend or family member who will understand what you’re going through. There are also many online forums with people who are going through the exact same thing. (Review Tattoo Removal Doctor Q&A on RealSelf.com)

Picking a permanent piece of body art is sometimes a trial and error process. To prevent making mistakes in the future, it is important to take an inventory of yourself, your lifestyle and interests, your job and your professional goals, your likes and your loves. One prominent bit of advice is to mark your calendar. Think of a tattoo you would like and where on your body you would like it tattooed and put it on your calendar. If after one year you still want the tattoo then go right ahead. If at any point in the year you change your mind then mark your calendar that day and the year starts over again.

If you do have tattoo regret, we at Inkfree, MD are experienced in customizing a laser treatment plan that will help you lighten or remove your unwanted ink. Call us to schedule a free consultation – (832) 478 5669.