Older generations often warned against tattoos because they are permanent and could be regretted later.
Today, however, tattoo removal is an option. Although painful, it works in a few sessions but may leave some scars. Regardless, 35-year-old Leandro De Souza decided to undergo laser treatment to remove nearly two decades of ink.
First ink
Leandro De Souza hails from Brazil and is a proud father. But nearly a decade ago, his divorce was more than he could handle. As a result, De Souza began to celebrate a lot, amassing over 170 tattoos over the years, with his first at just 13 years old. “I did the first one when I was 13,” De Souza explained. “The first ones were a lot about the idols of the time. He recently decided to go the religious route through evangelicalism and opted for laser tattoo removal.
Facing a broken heart
Leandro’s initial tattoos were inspired by his favorite bands such as Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses, and Metallica. However, most of his tattoos came from a ten-year binge after his divorce. During that time, Leandro experimented with drugs such as LSD, alcohol, and ecstasy.
Finding motivation for tattoo removal
“I couldn’t take the life I was living anymore,” De Souza said, referring to his decision to remove the tattoo. De Souza visited the shelter nearly a decade after a difficult, life-changing divorce. “The first step in anything in life is to accept that you can’t do it on your own, that you’re an addict, that you’re a drug addict,” he said. “And I succeeded; I entered the municipal shelter in Bagé. Within a week, a lady appeared who referred me and began to evangelize me.
Turning over a new leaf
It’s been two years since De Souza turned his life around and began the process of getting his tattoos removed. But it’s a lengthy process, especially with De Souza’s 170 tattoos. He now spends time talking to “parents and children in homes who are in prisons.”
Leandro began the process of tattoo removal with the help of a tattoo studio in Franco da Rocha, São Paulo, which heard about the exciting changes Leandro was making to transform his life. De Souza, who is now three years clean from alcohol and a year without tobacco and other substances, has six more tattoo removal sessions to go. His transformation so far has been remarkable.
Tattoo removal is a modern option.n
For many, tattooing is an expression of creativity, using their body as a canvas. However, others may regret their ink choices as they mature or as their interests and relationships change. Fortunately, tattoo removal is now possible with advanced technology, although it comes with some side effects such as sensitivity, skin irritation, and even scarring.
Tattoo removal methods
Tattoo removal options include laser treatments that use lasers to “heat up the ink particles,” breaking them up and making them “easier for your immune system to remove.” Laser tattoo removal is scheduled about three months apart and can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on the size of the ink. This method comes with side effects that range from mild skin irritation to painful blisters, but each person responds differently to the treatment.
Other tattoo removal options include surgical excision, where the surgeon cuts out the skin containing the tattoo and stitches it back together. This method is usually only suitable for small tattoos due to the complexity and risks involved. Dermabrasion and chemical peels are also options that involve removing the outer layers of skin but can cause severe skin sensitivity, especially when exposed to sunlight. Understanding these risks and taking proper care of your skin as it heals is essential to maintaining skin health.
Tattoo removal creams, while popular for home use, are often not recommended by professionals. They take months or years to show results and can damage the skin with their acidic ingredients, making them less effective and potentially harmful.
Can someone get a tattoo removed?
In short, yes, everyone can consider removing a tattoo. However, there are important considerations. Tattoo removal takes time and repeated sessions to be effective, as the tattoo artist applies the ink in layers, which must be divided into multiple sessions. Your skin needs time between sessions to “flush out the ink”, so most methods recommend waiting a few weeks or months between sessions.
Some ink colors are easier to remove than others. Blue and black inks are easier to remove with laser tattoo removal because they “absorb light better,” while colors like red are more durable and require more sessions.
Alternative
Rather than removing it, consider getting the tattoo changed into something else. If the reason you want to remove your tattoo has nothing to do with necessity – such as work or starting a new journey – consider covering up your existing tattoo with a new design. This option can be more satisfying and less time-consuming for many, allowing individuals to preserve memories and meanings while moving forward.
Older generations often cautioned against tattoos due to their permanence, warning that individuals may later regret their ink. Today, however, tattoo removal has become a viable option, despite the painful process that usually requires multiple sessions and may leave some scars. For 35-year-old Leandro De Souza, the journey to remove nearly two decades of tattoos represents a significant life change. From getting his first tattoo at age 13 to a period of partying and substance abuse after his divorce, Leandro’s story underscores the complexity of personal choices and the potential for change.
Leandro’s initial tattoos were a form of youthful expression reflecting his favorite bands such as Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses, and Metallica. However, the vast majority of his tattoos were accumulated during a decade-long period of experimentation with substances and emotional turmoil. It was only when Leandro found himself at a low point, visited a community shelter, and received guidance from an evangelist that he realized the need for change. This pivotal moment led him on a journey of self-discovery and healing, eventually deciding to embrace evangelicalism and undergo the arduous process of tattoo removal.
The journey to remove his tattoo was lengthy and Leandro still has six more sessions to go. However, his commitment to this transformation was remarkable. Now three years alcohol-free and a year tobacco- and substance-free, he uses his story to inspire others. Leandro’s new life involves sharing his experiences with young people and families, especially those affected by incarceration, finding purpose and meaning in his difficult past.
Tattoo removal today is not just a cosmetic procedure; it is a journey for many individuals who want to redefine their identity and leave past mistakes behind. Modern technology has made this process more accessible, although it still carries risks such as skin irritation and scarring. Different methods, from laser treatment to surgical excision, offer different levels of effectiveness and risk depending on the size, color, and location of the tattoo. Leandro’s story is a testament to the complexity of personal change – highlighting the importance of choices, the struggle to confront the past,t anther
e desire for redemption.
While tattoo removal is an option for those who regret their ink, there is also a growing trend towards transformation rather than removal. Transforming a tattoo into something new allows individuals to hold on to memories and meanings while adapting to a new stage in life. For Leandro, this approach serves not only as a way to reinvent himself but also as a way to continue learning from his past. His journey reflects the resilience of the human spirit and shows that no matter how difficult the journey may be, there is always the possibility of growth, healing, ng, and redemption.