For one reason or another, individuals often decide to have a tattoo removed. Perhaps it depicts a former love that is no longer a part of that person’s life or perhaps they just no longer want that specific tattoo on their body. Whatever the reason, it often becomes a consideration and one that must not be undertaken without some serious thought. If you are considering having a tattoo removed, the first thing to do is to make an appointment with a local physician or dermatologist in order to discuss your wishes. He/she will examine the tattoo, it’s condition and will then determine which method is the best for complete removal. It is important to note that tattoo removal does involve surgery which, in itself, does carry potential risks and side effects. Even the simplest surgery can result in complications, so be sure to consider tattoo removal very carefully. This is why it is so important to make sure that you really want the tattoo before going ahead with it’s application. In most cases, your physician or dermatologist will be able to give you a step-by-step explanation of how the procedure will be done, how long it will take and what type of recovery you can expect. Understandably, the site of surgery will be tender for some time and will likely result in some type of scarring. However, with time both will lessen until the scarring is minimally visible. The ultimate answer as to the level of scarring will depend on the size of the tattoo. A larger image will result in a larger scar than, for instance, a small butterfly tattoo. As one would expect, certain areas of the body are more sensitive and are therefore more likely to be sensitive to pain. Once a decision has been made to remove the tattoo, an appointment will be made for the procedure. This may or may not be an outpatient surgery, which will determined by any complications that arise during the procedure, the patient’s overall health and/or the likelihood of an allergic reaction to any medication given. Often, patients are held overnight for observation before being sent home. It is important that patients speak with the surgeon regarding any possible risks associated with the procedure. The cost of having a tattoo removed can be quite high, especially if the tattoo is large. The majority of health insurance companies will not cover these costs unless the tattoo must be removed for medical/health reasons. Otherwise, the full financial responsibility will be assigned to the patient who must then figure out a way to pay for the surgery. Many hospitals offer a payment plan to those who cannot afford the total cost upfront. Arrangements for any type of payment plan must be made prior to the surgery and must be approved through the hospital’s billing department. This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is not intended to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or recommendations for tattoo placement. Before deciding on getting a tattoo or having one removed, the patient must consult a licensed medical doctor for medical advice and/or to determine the best course of action for his/her individual healthcare needs.