# How are unwanted tattoos erased? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 31, 2021, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-unwanted-tattoos-erased/947727 "2021-07-31T22:39:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2021, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-unwanted-tattoos-erased/947727/1 "2021-07-31T22:39:47Z")
I’m thinking more like large and prominent tattoos on the lower back known as ‘tramp stamps.’ Maybe cool ten years ago, but hard to hide without resorting too much or too little clothing. ---
**Author:** ![Somethingwitty1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/somethingwitty1/32/8899_2.png) [@Somethingwitty1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Somethingwitty1)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2021, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-unwanted-tattoos-erased/947727/2 "2021-07-31T22:51:48Z")
lasers > **[Tattoo Removal: How to, Costs, Before and After Pictures, and More](https://www.healthline.com/health/tattoo-removal-how#laser-removal)** > > The best tattoo removal options include laser therapy, surgical excision, and dermabrasion. Here’s a look at what each involves. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2021, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-unwanted-tattoos-erased/947727/3 "2021-07-31T22:53:29Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > too little clothing Huh? . ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2021, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-unwanted-tattoos-erased/947727/4 "2021-07-31T23:16:56Z")
There are also cover creams to use in the meantime, made for any skin tone. My uncle has a large scar on his forearm, due to having a tattoo removed in the days before laser treatments. It had to be surgically removed and covered with a skin graft, and when he told me what happened, because as a small child at the time I asked him, his whole tone of voice when he said “I had a tattoo removed” said, “Never, ever get one yourself.” My dad, his brother, never saw that tattoo and doesn’t know what it was, and knowing my uncle, doesn’t want to. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2021, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-unwanted-tattoos-erased/947727/5 "2021-08-01T02:32:46Z")
thanks ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2021, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-unwanted-tattoos-erased/947727/6 "2021-08-09T02:04:43Z")
I read that lasers can break up the large ink molecules and greatly speed up the removal by the body. They’re too large to move normally, and this is what the laser removal machines are accomplishing. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2021, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-unwanted-tattoos-erased/947727/7 "2021-08-09T02:12:02Z")
thanx! ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2021, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-unwanted-tattoos-erased/947727/8 "2021-08-09T10:52:54Z")
> [@Cardinal](#): > > I read that lasers can break up the large ink molecules and greatly speed up the removal by the body. They’re too large to move normally, and this is what the laser removal machines are accomplishing. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/D0B7F5UbTOQ/maxresdefault.jpg "How Laser Tattoo Removal Works - Smarter Every Day 123") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0B7F5UbTOQ&t=499s) ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2021, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-unwanted-tattoos-erased/947727/9 "2021-08-09T12:57:17Z")
Actually I think that’s where I got it. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2021, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-unwanted-tattoos-erased/947727/10 "2021-08-09T21:00:03Z")
There’s always a Who song [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rI0cfzAF4as/hqdefault.jpg "The Who - Tattoo") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI0cfzAF4as) ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2021, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-unwanted-tattoos-erased/947727/11 "2021-08-10T16:45:20Z")
I always understood that a “tramp stamp” was on of those small tattoos on a woman in a mildly inappropriate area - i.e. above the breast or the base of the spine - about an inch across; so the name came from the thought that it was about the size of a rubber stamp. Not sure what they call those huge tattoos, or full sleeves, although I could probably think up a few good names. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2021, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-unwanted-tattoos-erased/947727/12 "2021-08-10T16:49:28Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > I always understood that a “tramp stamp” was on of those small tattoos on a woman in a mildly inappropriate area - i.e. above the breast or the base of the spine - about an inch across; so the name came from the thought that it was about the size of a rubber stamp. You’re reading it way to literally. The primary reasoning for wording of the term “tramp stamp” is simply that it rhymes.