National Tattoo Removal Day
Tattoos are permanent, but people change. Luckily, tattoos can actually be removed. Get rid of any unwanted ink and put your regrets behind you.
Ever immediately regretted a tattoo that you thought would be an excellent idea at the time? Or perhaps you got caught up in the hype and made a reckless decision on Tattoo Day.
Whatever your woe, National Tattoo Removal Day is here to say that mistakes need not be permanent.
A day of pained winces and fresh starts, National Tattoo Removal Day laments the inks of the past and celebrates a cleaner look.
How to Celebrate National Tattoo Removal Day
It’s a day for Tattoo Removal, so there’s one obvious way to celebrate it, isn’t there? Say goodbye to that unwanted body art. While the day is ongoing, you’ll find the official National Tattoo Removal Day group providing links that can help you find providers around you.
Local providers might even take advantage to jump on the trending hashtag on social media. If you’re lucky, you may even find them offering a discount.
If you have any friends or family members who have been lamenting their own misbegotten tattoos, it’s the day to encourage them to finally take action.
Tattoo removal might be safe, but it’s also a touch uncomfortable, so lending your support and joining them during their appointment can give them the courage to commit.
Lastly, you will find National Tattoo Removal Day trending all across social media, so it’s your opportunity to get involved there, as well. You can show some genuine support by sharing and retweeting posts from those involved in the day, including information about tattoo removal that can clear up some confusion.
If you do get your own tattoo removed, or have had it done in the past, it’s the perfect time to show your “before” and “after” pictures to show those considering it that there’s nothing to fear.
History of National Tattoo Removal Day
In part, National Tattoo Removal Day rose directly in response to Tattoo Day. With thousands of people unceremoniously inking themselves up came an annual uptick of regret.
It’s no coincidence that National Tattoo Removal Day tends to happen not too long after Tattoo Day.
In fact, National Tattoo Removal Day has been traditionally celebrated one month, or thirty whole days after Tattoo Day since that’s the first day that you’re allowed to remove a tattoo after it has been applied.
Tattoo Day is also positioned some time after Valentine’s Day, addressing one of the most common causes of wanting a tattoo removed: heartbreak.
With jilted lovers and newly independent solo adventurers also comes a host of tattoos that are suddenly a reminder that we don’t want rather than a celebration of enduring love.
However, the day grew to be more than a tongue-in-cheek response to another marked day of the calendar.
It also came to draw awareness of the millions of people with unwanted ink that there are, indeed, ways to remove it as well as practitioners who can do it safely.
There are plenty of people regretting a tattoo and still not enough people realise that there are providers who can do it for them. As such, spreading awareness of a safe, healthy method done by a licensed professional can prevent people from taking those efforts into their own hands.
National Tattoo Removal Day FAQs
Did any historical figures regret their tattoos?
Yes, King Harold II of England, killed in the Battle of Hastings in 1066, had tattoos that helped identify his body.
Some historians speculate he may not have intended for the marks to serve such a purpose. His story highlights how tattoos carried unintended consequences even centuries ago.
What’s the strangest ingredient ever used for tattoo removal?
During the Victorian era, acidic lemon juice was a popular DIY remedy. People believed it could fade tattoos by bleaching the skin.
This practice was not only ineffective but also left many with severe skin damage and scarring.
Can tattoo removal have spiritual or symbolic significance?
Yes, in some cultures, removing a tattoo represents letting go of past mistakes or a personal rebirth.
For example, some Buddhist monks may remove tattoos associated with negative energies or past hardships during meditation retreats.
How do tattoo removal trends differ around the world?
In South Korea, where tattoos are often stigmatized, tattoo removal is popular among young professionals.
Meanwhile, in Western countries, removal is often linked to changing fashion trends or life events like career changes.
Are there any animals naturally capable of ‘tattoo removal’?
Some animals, like certain species of lizards and snakes, shed their skin entirely. While not a direct parallel, this process can erase markings or scars on their bodies, offering a fascinating biological “reset.”
What role do superstitions play in tattoo removal?
In some cultures, tattoos are believed to invite misfortune. Individuals might remove tattoos they think are cursed, especially if they depict unlucky symbols, like a name that’s tied to a failed relationship.
What’s the most unusual way someone has celebrated tattoo removal?
Some people host “clean slate” parties to celebrate their tattoo removal journey. These events often include symbolic rituals like writing regrets on paper and burning them as a sign of moving forward.
Have any tattoos been considered illegal or banned, leading to removal?
In Nazi Germany, tattooed identification numbers on concentration camp prisoners were forcibly removed post-liberation.
Today, in countries like Iran, tattoos representing political dissent or Western influence are often removed due to societal pressures.
Do tattoos removed with lasers completely disappear?
Not always. Some colors, like bright yellows or greens, are notoriously resistant to removal.
Advanced techniques may fade them significantly, but remnants often linger, serving as faint traces of the original design.
Are there medical benefits to removing tattoos?
For some, tattoo removal alleviates physical symptoms like allergic reactions to certain inks.
This happens when the immune system overreacts to tattoo pigments, making removal a health-related choice rather than a cosmetic one.
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