Tattoo removal: is laser the only way to do it?

I have a Batman tattoo I want out of my life. It's poorly done and already faded considerably, actually you can see my normal skin in a part of the left wing...anyway, I've heard about Wrecking Balm and figured it's just another fucking trashy As Seen On TV product that doesn't work, but I thought I'd ask if anyone has any experience with it, or any other tattoo removal product.

I know I'm going to have to get it lasered off eventually but I'm cheap and don't wanna throw down all that bank. less

NANANANANA BATMAN!

Hmm I'm not sure. I don't have any tattoos yet. Mostly for this reason. So many people end up getting drunk ones, or ones with little meaning, or just trashy ones, or go crazy with piercings and tats and end up with gross scars. To me its a mark of a mistake and I wouldn't want that on my body. When I get one it will be after having waited 5 years. I have 1 to go!

Not saying yours is any of those by the way! Sounds like yours wasn't your fault for why you want to get rid of it. How about touching it up? Or do you not want it entirely?

I have seen that commercial and although, I have a lot of friends with tattoos none have mentioned using this. less

I don't want it at all. When I was 18 I traded my bass guitar for a tattoo of the old Batman symbol. It's pretty big. It's just embarrassing more than anything. I want it gone before I get married in a few years.

I'm also sick of people asking "Do you like Batman?" when they see it. Hello, assholes! No, I hate Batman. I like the Green Lantern! That's why I got a bat on my leg, you idiot. less

I have a Batman tattoo I want out of my life. It's poorly done and already faded considerably, actually you can see my normal skin in a part of the left wing...anyway, I've heard about Wrecking Balm and figured it's just another fucking trashy As Seen On TV product that doesn't work, but I thought I'd ask if anyone has any experience with it, or any other tattoo removal product.

I know I'm going to have to get it lasered off eventually but I'm cheap and don't wanna throw down all that bank. less

Is there any way you could find something you'd like that would cover it up? I know some cover up tattoos look like nothing more than cover ups, but I've seen some that are done really well and just look like a new better tattoo.

I have a playboy bunny on my hip that I thought was the best idea EVER 8 years ago and my ex-husband's name on my back that are both getting covered up in the near future - thankfully they're both very tiny. I have 3 others that I've gotten while older and wiser, I suppose, that I still really like and think I always will less

Um...To cover it up I think it would take an FCC sponsored censor bar lol. It's pretty big and round. I do have some Kat Von D tattoo cover-up, a really thick makeup that I use sometimes, but only on special occasions because that junk is like $45 a tube.

It's best to get tiny tattoos lol...I just wish I knew this a few years ago! less

Um...To cover it up I think it would take an FCC sponsored censor bar lol. It's pretty big and round. I do have some Kat Von D tattoo cover-up, a really thick makeup that I use sometimes, but only on special occasions because that junk is like $45 a tube.

It's best to get tiny tattoos lol...I just wish I knew this a few years ago! less

This is a nice warning for all those out there who think getting permanent markers is so cool. 99% of us change our image and approach to life several times before we check out. Having a tattoo kind of cements you to a single point it time.

If I had the capital - I'd open a laser removal studio! less

HAHA! Good one!

I used to live with a woman who owned, operated, and worked at her own tattoo and piercing place.

I learned a few things from living with her and hanging around her shop:

1. NEVER get anything off the wall art. She used to recommend to her customers to start with the flash art on the walls and then personalize it. In the end, you'll end up feeling better about it.

2. NEVER get anyone's name tattoo'd on yourself, except for your own name and your kids. Or, if you do, only date people named "Brian" or "Dave" as a cover story.

3. Piercings over tattoos. If you don't know what you want for sure, you shouldn't get a tattoo that day. If you really want to feel the endorphiny fun, go for a piercing. They are cheaper and less permanent.

4. Red is the hardest color to heal in a tattoo.

5. Avoid smaller designs. They are harder to do, easier to mess up on, and fade first. I have 12 little designs in one of my tattoos from 8 years ago that are just barely distinguishable, each about the size of a pencil eraser. less

HAHA! Good one!

I used to live with a woman who owned, operated, and worked at her own tattoo and piercing place.

I learned a few things from living with her and hanging around her shop:

1. NEVER get anything off the wall art. She used to recommend to her customers to start with the flash art on the walls and then personalize it. In the end, you'll end up feeling better about it.

2. NEVER get anyone's name tattoo'd on yourself, except for your own name and your kids. Or, if you do, only date people named "Brian" or "Dave" as a cover story.

3. Piercings over tattoos. If you don't know what you want for sure, you shouldn't get a tattoo that day. If you really want to feel the endorphiny fun, go for a piercing. They are cheaper and less permanent.

4. Red is the hardest color to heal in a tattoo.

5. Avoid smaller designs. They are harder to do, easier to mess up on, and fade first. I have 12 little designs in one of my tattoos from 8 years ago that are just barely distinguishable, each about the size of a pencil eraser. less

HAHA! Good one!

I used to live with a woman who owned, operated, and worked at her own tattoo and piercing place.

I learned a few things from living with her and hanging around her shop:

1. NEVER get anything off the wall art. She used to recommend to her customers to start with the flash art on the walls and then personalize it. In the end, you'll end up feeling better about it.

2. NEVER get anyone's name tattoo'd on yourself, except for your own name and your kids. Or, if you do, only date people named "Brian" or "Dave" as a cover story.

3. Piercings over tattoos. If you don't know what you want for sure, you shouldn't get a tattoo that day. If you really want to feel the endorphiny fun, go for a piercing. They are cheaper and less permanent.

4. Red is the hardest color to heal in a tattoo.

5. Avoid smaller designs. They are harder to do, easier to mess up on, and fade first. I have 12 little designs in one of my tattoos from 8 years ago that are just barely distinguishable, each about the size of a pencil eraser. less

Um...To cover it up I think it would take an FCC sponsored censor bar lol. It's pretty big and round. I do have some Kat Von D tattoo cover-up, a really thick makeup that I use sometimes, but only on special occasions because that junk is like $45 a tube.

It's best to get tiny tattoos lol...I just wish I knew this a few years ago! less

Another thing about laser removal is potential scarring and texturizing of that area.

I seriously bet that if you go to the most reputable shop in your area, they will work out a beautiful cover-up piece for you. I was a tattoo artist for years, and I covered and reworked many many large black ink terrible tattoos. It can be done. You could have something gorgeous in its place. Just make an appointment for a consultation. Trust me on this. less

Another thing about laser removal is potential scarring and texturizing of that area.

I seriously bet that if you go to the most reputable shop in your area, they will work out a beautiful cover-up piece for you. I was a tattoo artist for years, and I covered and reworked many many large black ink terrible tattoos. It can be done. You could have something gorgeous in its place. Just make an appointment for a consultation. Trust me on this. less

I have a tattoo that I wanted to get rid of as well. It has faded greatly it also was down with very light colors. But my friend who is a tattoo artist was telling me about a new technique that is being used to remove tattoos that is not the lazer removal. It invloved mixing saline solution and if I remember correctly lemon juice...and then you go over the tattoo with the tattoo gun and this mixture and it completely destroys the ink and removes it...I think it has something to do with the acidity of the lemon juice. Im pretty sure this would only work of fading tattoos or tattoos of light colors though. Im seeing him on Monday ill ask him about it again less