Most people like their tattoos. Many are just okay with them. Some can't believe they ever did it.

If you've experienced a change of heart, there is a solution. Tattoo removal can be accomplished with the Q-switched laser with little or no scarring, even in Asian skin.

That's because the laser light penetrates the skin without harming it and is selectively absorbed only by the tattoo's ink. Each pulse of energy feels when the tattoo was applied, unpleasant but not actually painful.

Amateur and older tattoos tend to disappear quickly, while professional tattoos contain more ink and higher quality pigments and can require more treatments (usually five or more). Darker inks are easier to remove than red or yellow.

Other surgical alternatives for tattoo removal all have the disadvantage of scarring. Surgical excision, dermabrasion, chemical peels, and salt abrasion are older and clearly inferior methods.

The nice think about the Q-switched laser is that the pigment of surrounding skin is unaffected. Only the tattoo ink absorbs the selected light wavelength, is broken down, and then absorbed.

For those ambivalent about their tattoos (love them on Friday night, hate them on Monday morning), cosmetics manufacturers now market thick concealer creams made specifically for covering up your tatts only when you desire.