Tattoo removal is the dark sided cousin of the tattoo industry. There's more and more people everyday getting inked up with a cool tattoo, and yet, there's also more and more people trying to find a realistic option for tattoo removal.

Fortunately, there are a variety of methods out there for tattoo removal. Every method has its positive and negative aspects. Often, the deciding factor that a person chooses depends more so on their budget than anything else.

With that in mind, this Hubpage will take a look at the cost of tattoo removal services for 4 different methods of tattoo removal: laser tattoo removal, tattoo removal cream, rejuvi tattoo removal, and TCA chemical peels.

This is the most established and widespread tattoo removal method. It's authenticity is not doubted by anyone. It's also painful and expensive, but it definitely works.

Expect to pay on a per visit basis and realize that any tattoo is going to require multiple visits AKA multiple treatments. Treatment target a small subsection of a tattoo, one area at a time. This is usually a 2 by 2 inch square. Tattoos consisting of mostly black ink versus color ink respond faster to laser treatment.

Expect to pay around $100 for treatment.

For most tattoos, 4-10 treatments can be expected.

Note that a patient must wait 1-2 months in between each treatment session. While this means it's going to take many months to fully remove a tattoo, it also makes it a little easier to afford each session as they occur!

Tattoo removal creams are a controversial method for tattoo removal. Opinions and experience vary all the way from "this is a total scam" to "this product faded my tattoo away in 3 months". If you are sizing up your options, note that this is one of the cheapest options around, but at the same time, you get what you pay for!

Here are some sample prices for the two most popular tattoo removal creams on the market:

Tat B Gone - 4 month supply costs $175

Wrecking Balm - 3 month supply costs $250

It's also important to note two other benefits people cite when buying tattoo removal cream products: they cause no pain and leave no risk of scarring the skin.

Additionally, they require no prescription, no doctors, and no medical visits! Tattoo removal creams are a  "do it yourself" product that is applied in private.

Rejuvi tattoo removal is a fascinating an relatively newcome to the tattoo removal methods being used today. In a way, it's sort of a combination of the tactics used in over the counter tattoo removal creams. Rejuvi is a cream, but not a normal "tattoo removal cream". It's inserted into the skin much like a tattoo is done, causing pain similar to that of the laser removal method. However, the method of removing a tattoo here is different. Rejuvi bonds with the tattoo ink, then scabs up, and falls off, taking part of the tattoo with it!

I find this to be a very clever method!

Some things to note:

Like laser removal, it is priced by the inch. It requires multiple treatments, and time must be taken off in between said rejuvi treatments.

Expect to pay between $80-$120 per square inch treated, waiting 2 weeks to 4 weeks per treatment. For small to medium sized tattoo work, it typically takes 3 to 4 visits per treatment area to remove the tattoo.

TCA chemical peels are another controversial method for tattoo removal. In the opinion of this esteemed Hubpages author, they should not be used for tattoo removal due to the risk of skin damage, pain, and scaring. How so? Because TCA chemical peels works by creating a controlled inflammation on the skin. Being that this is an over the counter product, users can cause much discomfort and pain by misuse of this product.

However, I am including it here to warn people about it, and because it's so cheap. For about $50 for a small bottle, many people are willing to TCA tattoo removal, despite the warnings.

Last but not least, if you have a tattoo you no longer want, here's something to consider:

GET A COVER UP!

You are likely to spend just as much if not more money paying to have the tattoo removed as you would if you paid to get a new tattoo done over the old one. If you still like tattoo art, but just not the piece you currently have, talk to an artist about cover up possibilities. Amazing things are done in this regard, and to top if off, in trade for the pain and money, you get a new tattoo that you love!