Wir überwinden Grenzen

Around one in four young people in Germany has a tattoo, and the trend is rising. A large tattoo trade fair in Freiburg at the weekend also reflects this trend. However, the proportion of those who later regret their tattoos is also increasing - whether for health or aesthetic reasons. Nowadays, state-of-the-art lasers can remove many tattoos largely without leaving any residue and with only minimal damage to the skin. "A tattoo is quickly removed, but those affected often struggle with the consequences for a very long time," says dermatologist Dr. Hans Bayer, senior physician at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. He is an expert in the treatment and laser removal of tattoos.

Many tattooed people want to get rid of their tattoos later for personal or professional reasons. Whether this is completely successful depends on many factors. Colored tattoos, in particular, which were engraved by a professional, are more difficult to remove. "Basically, you can say: the darker the colors, the better the laser success," says Dr. Bayer. Laser treatment is usually relatively safe and simple, but it requires several sessions and these are very painful.

"I advise everyone to have the treatment carried out by an expert and not by a beautician or in a tattoo studio. Because if there are complications such as blistering or scarring, you need a physician who knows how to deal with them," says Dr. Bayer.

The tattoo itself can also cause health problems. A lack of hygiene during aftercare, for example, can lead to inflammation of the skin area. In addition, individual components of tattoo inks can trigger allergies. "Especially with the color red, chronic allergic inflammatory reactions occur again and again. In extreme cases, such a tattoo may even have to be surgically removed and the resulting skin defect covered by a skin graft," explains Dr. Bayer.

The duration of a laser treatment and therefore also the costs depend heavily on the tattoo and range from a few hundred to several thousand euros. As a rule, health insurance companies do not cover the costs of treating complications or removing a tattoo.