Removal may also take several treatments and cost a lot of money. Options for tattoo removal include: Laser Removal: FDA has approved certain laser devices to remove tattoos. Lighter colors such as yellow, green, and red are more difficult to remove than darker colors such as dark blue and black. It may take 6 to 10 treatments to remove a tattoo. Some side effects may include bleeding, redness, or soreness. Surgery: Tattoos can sometimes be removed by cutting out the tattooed skin, then sewing the skin back together. Other times, the skin can be sanded down to remove the tattoo. Either way, there will be some scarring. Ointments and Creams: FDA has not approved tattoo removal ointments and creams or do-it-yourself tattoo removal kits. These products may cause skin rashes, burns, or scars.
