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Getting that tattoo seemed like a good idea at the time. But now that blast from the past on your back or tribal band around your arm may seem like a bit of body art you could live without.

If you’re ready to get a tattoo removed, you’re not alone: According to a 2006 survey in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 24% of 18- to 50-year-olds have tattoos, and 17% have considered tattoo removal.

There’s good news and bad news when it comes to getting a tattoo removed. The bad news is that tattoos are meant to be permanent, and even state-of-the-art removal techniques won’t work for everyone; your chance of success varies with your skin color and the tattoo’s pigments and size.

The good news is that you don’t have to undergo your mother’s tattoo removal technique. The de-inking process has evolved in recent years, from a cringe-worthy, potentially skin-damaging process to a safer, more sophisticated method that uses laser technology.

Don’t try these at home
In decades past, people trying to get rid of tattoos have gone to extreme measures to de-ink. For example, one technique known as dermabrasion involves scraping away or sanding down the skin. In salabrasion, a salt solution is rubbed into the skin and heated and scraped away. In both cases, when the area heals, the tattoo may be gone, but scars are likely to be left behind.

Surgically removing the tattoo is also likely to leave a scar. The tattooed skin is cut out and the surrounding skin is sewn back together. Occasionally, doctors can perform surgical removals of tiny tattoos.

Scars are the most common side effect of tattoo removal. However, for some, the removal technique known as scarification is a form of body modification itself, just like tattooing and piercing. Much like a chemical peel removes the top layer of skin, an acid solution is used to remove the tattoo in this procedure. The scar that forms in its place covers up whatever ink remains.

Cryosurgery, sometimes called cryotherapy, has also been used to remove tattoos. This procedure freeze-burns the tattooed skin with liquid nitrogen, which is commonly used to treat warts and other skin lesions.

None of the above forms of destroying the tattooed skin are recommended, says Paul Jarrod Frank, MD, the founder and director of 5th Avenue Dermatology Surgery and Laser Center, in New York City. “You could throw kerosene on it and light a match—that’d be the same thing.”

The best way to remove a tattoo is with quality-switched, or Q-switched, lasers, which have become widely used in the last decade. The beam of light searches for contrast between skin tone and ink and pulses intensely on the skin to break the ink down into particles small enough for the body to absorb.

“Laser removal is the standard of care,” says Dr. Frank, but that doesn’t mean it’s foolproof. “There is no great treatment.”

Next page: Will laser removal work?

Think beyond basic bubbles, and use these great finds to create the most soothing bath ever. View the slideshow.

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Need help with that dry, itchy, winter skin? We have got just the products you need. See what Health’s beauty editors rely on to get through the winter. View the slideshow.

Isabelle Cardinal

Whoever coined the phrase “You’re only as old as you feel” had it so right. If you feel younger than you are, the number on your driver’s license (who needs to see that, anyway?) loses much of its sway. And, fortunately, turning back the clock has never been easier. To fend off—even reverse!—the signs of aging, try these decade-by-decade tricks.

Your 30s

Defend your face
Take decades of environmental exposure, add a quickening rate of collagen breakdown, and behold: In your 30s your face may show more sagging, fine lines, and early wrinkles than you’d like, says Bobby Buka, MD, a New York City dermatologist.

His turn-back-the-clock recommendations: Use a strong sunblock every day—we like Coppertone Nutra-Shield Faces 70+ SPF with Dual Defenses ($9.89; ) —eat lots of vitamin C–rich citrus (the vitamin helps prevent collagen loss), and apply cream with a retinol or retinoid (a vitamin A derivative) every night to promote skin-cell growth.

Dr. Buka often prescribes tretinoin 0.25% (also known as Retin-A, about $20 for a month’s use). Or try this nonprescription version: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 ($19.99; drugstores).

Baby your breasts
Let’s face it: Pregnancy, breast-feeding, and simple gravity can be a bit of a downer for your girls. But the right bra—fitted with the help of an expert—can make all the difference (LINK see Health.com/bra for fitting tips). What else can help your breasts as the years go by? Remember to work your pecs at the gym. “Toning the pectoral muscles won’t revive sagging tissue or skin, but you’ll look better with definition in that area,” says Colette Cole, a senior personal trainer and director of the Female Focus Program at the Cooper Center in Dallas.

Make sure to pump that iron while wearing a supportive sports bra that limits bounce, which can put stress on connective tissues and lead to even more sagging. Compression sports bras are recommended for small-busted women—we like the C9 by Champion Seamless Racerback Bra ($16.99). Women who wear a C-cup or larger should opt for an encapsulation bra—try the Asics Abby Bra ($42). Also, it’s best to replace your sports bra every six months if you use it frequently.

Next: Stay energized

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Cold temps outdoors, dry heat blasting indoors, and too little sunlight all can aggravate skin conditions. But what exactly is the problem when your skin or scalp feels itchy or scaly? Is that dusting on your favorite sweater dandruff or something more serious? Use our handy sympt-o-meter to help you find out.

Eczema
Key symptom: Red, itchy patches
Best fix: Ointment, antihistamines

Eczema, marked by swollen, red skin, tends to itch a lot—and it shows up twice as often in women. (Thirty million Americans have it.) The patches, which have many triggers including winter’s dry air, can pop up anywhere but usually appear on your arms or behind your knees.

Eczema may also flare near your neck hairline and earlobe creases. It’s often seen in people with asthma, allergies, or pet sensitivities, says Kelly Cordoro, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco. Antihistamines and steroid ointments can ease the itch.

Next: Dandruff

Summer may quickly be coming to a close, but that doesn’t give you an excuse to slack on your sunscreen routine. Long weekend afternoons spent at the soccer field or working in the yard still put you at risk for sun damage. After all, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, with more than 68,000 cases of melanoma diagnosed each year. Need another reason to slather on some sunscreen?

I may be diligent about applying it in the hot summer sun, but once the temperature starts to fall, there goes my sunscreen routine. Who likes smelling like the stuff once the season has passed? Not me. That’s why I love Mission Skincare’s fragrance-free formulas. Although I  normally shy away from sprays—I always wind up with sunburn blotches—I swooned over Mission’s Fast-Drying Sunscreen 30+ Spray ($10; missionskincare.com). It’s quick, easy, and non-greasy, so I don’t wind up sticking to my clothes.

I plan on toting a bottle in my purse every weekend this fall. Mission is endorsed by top athletes like Serena Williams, Sergio Garcia, and Mia Hamm, so while I may be more of a sideliner than an all-star on the soccer field, I can at least feel like a skin-care pro.

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Before

Sure, you’re familiar with Botox, but have you heard about Dysport, the newly approved injectable wrinkle treatment? Well, it is an instant anti-ager. How do I know it makes you look younger? I recently got Dysport injections from Neil Sadick, MD, a dermatologist in New York City.

Here’s why I did it: Just after my 30th birthday, I noticed a vertical crease between my brows that stayed put whether I was smiling or frowning. Soon after, within a one-week period, I had several strangers stop me on the sidewalk to say, “Smile!” (Gotta love those blunt New Yorkers.) After each of those remarks, I’d think to myself, I am happy—don’t I look it? Then I’d notice my reflection in a window and see that, no, in fact, I didn’t look happy. I looked mad at the world.

After

Being a generally happy, relaxed person, I decided I’d like to look it. So last spring, I asked my dermatologist about Dysport, the injectable wrinkle treatment that “freezes” muscles so they cannot make the involuntary contractions that lead to wrinkles and, in my case, a permanently pissed expression. Like Botox, Dysport is made from a modified version of botulinum toxin that inhibits facial muscle contractions. And, according to Dr. Sadick, it seems to take effect more quickly than Botox and last a tiny bit longer. Since it’s been used safely in Europe for years, I figured I’d give it a try.

It took Dr. Sadick about five minutes to administer the treatment, and it was absolutely painless. The next morning, I wasn’t really able to raise or furrow my eyebrows, which freaked me out a bit. But three days later, the treatment seemed to settle in and I was able to make normal (if slightly subdued) facial expressions. Amazingly, though, my forehead wrinkles and that nasty vertical crease had disappeared. I looked happy and relaxed, and, interestingly, I felt more relaxed. I also found the tension headaches I used to get in the afternoon (probably brought on by staring at small type on a computer screen) had stopped. An unexpected bonus!

Now it’s been 10 weeks since my Dysport treatment and I am thrilled with the results. If I stare intently at myself, I can see that the vertical line is starting to creep slowly back onto my face, but it’s still a million times better than it was. As for my forehead? It remains blissfully line free.

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Today’s skin moisturizers are worlds better than the one you started using in your 20s. Here’s how to find your perfect product for gorgeous grown-up skin.

In Your 30s

What’s Going On
Luckily, your skin is in good shape, so you don’t have to waste a second worrying about deep wrinkles. However, you might notice fine lines and age spots, says Anne Chapas, MD, a 35-year-old dermatologist in New York City. Also, “women in their 30s may have redness from sun damage or flushed skin caused by rosacea,” a skin condition that often appears for the first time in your 30s, she notes. Another occasional issue? Under-eye circles. (Blame genetics or the stress and sleepless nights this decade often brings.)

What You Can Do…Your morning routine
After cleansing, hydrate and protect your skin with a lightweight lotion that has sunscreen. If you have any unwanted rosiness, look for one that also contains feverfew. “It’s a natural ingredient that reduces redness,” Dr. Chapas says. On mornings when dark under-eye circles are a problem, apply a cream that has caffeine, which helps shrink capillaries so discoloration is less noticeable.

Your evening routine
Now is the time to start using a night cream that treats fine lines and your first age spots. Look for one with ingredients like arginine, an amino acid that helps fade spots, and retinol, which “helps build collagen and reduce fine lines,” according to Dr. Chapas. If you still get occasional breakouts, Dr. Chapas says a prescription-strength retinoid like Retin-A is a good idea because it treats pimples and signs of aging.

Your best Moisturizers

• Eye cream with caffeine: Olay Professional Pro-X Eye Restoration Complex ($42)
• Lotion with SPF and Feverfew: Aveeno Ultra-Calming Moisturizer SPF 30 ($14.99)
• Night cream with Arginine and Retinol: Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle Night ($19.99)

Next page: In Your 40s

 

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Even the cashier at my local Whole Foods told me, “Boy, you look exhausted.” This time of year, I’m stressed—and it shows. My face is dry, my frown lines are deepening as I write this, and my eyes are half-closed.

What to do (short of a weekend at a spa)? I asked the experts for de-stressing solutions.

Issue 1: Tired-looking eyes
Expert fix: A dab of powder or liquid highlighter on cheekbones. “The light bounces off the highlighter and into your eyes, making you look more awake,” says Dena Wiseman, creative director of Bodyography Cosmetics. Place a bit of highlighter on apples of cheeks toward outer corners of eyes. Then, sweep some under the arch of each brow. Try Benefit High Beam from www.benefitcosmetics.com ($22).

Issue 2: A parched complexion
Expert fix: A hydrating spritz. Products like Evian Brumisateur Facial Spray, shown below ($15; www.drugstore.com) “will refresh skin and create a natural glow,” says Doris Day, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center. Or try a spray containing vitamins, anti-oxidants, and minerals, like Laura Mercier Essential Water ($30).

Issue 3: Dull, dry skin
Expert fix: An at-home peel made of pumpkin and prunes. “These ingredients contain salicylic acid, which removes oils, and dry, dead cells,” says Susan Ciminelli, of The Ciminelli Spas in New York City and Santa Barbara. Heat 1/2 cup each pitted prunes and canned pumpkin puree with 4 cups water on low for 30 minutes. Then, puree mixture into a paste using a food processor. When cool, apply to skin for 30 minutes; rinse with cool water.

Issue 4: A furrowed brow
Expert fix: Acupressure. New York City licensed acupuncturist Kymberly Kelly suggests pressing one finger to the inside edge of your brow, working your way to the end; hold three seconds. Repeat three times on each eye, then do the same to the bone beneath your eye. Finish by pressing on temples for three seconds.

My favorite skin booster: a brisk 15-minute walk around the block. It gives my face a natural-looking flush.

I have to admit: I was never a big fan of the PedEgg ($10; pedegg.net), the foot exfoliator you see being sold on television. I thought it was just another beauty gimmick—until I gave it a try.

I’m the type of girl who, 24 hours after a getting a pedicure, needs another go at exfoliating her feet. Loaded with 135 little micro files, the PedEgg has become my dry-heel solution by gently removing calluses and dead skin with a few easy swipes. At first it looks scary, since you’re dragging what looks like little razor blades over your already dry, flaky skin! But the blades are harmless, and as you rub the bottoms of your feet, dead skin literally flakes off and collects in the egg’s little storage compartment; when you lift open the plastic egg, it looks like white ash. Warning: Open the egg very slowly or you’ll run the risk of having your dead skin fly all over the place—ewww. The product is shaped to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand, which makes “pedding” my feet while watching TV or reading an easy thing to do.

No surprise: It wasn’t long before another version of this beauty tool hit the market. Dr. Scholl’s For Her Smooth My Sole ($10; drscholls.com) works on the same premise, only it has a translucent cover that allows you to see the skin that’s been removed (so no PediEgg’s spillage issue). Both products contain smoothing buff pads to use as the final step to your foot treatment. Probably the best $20 I’ve ever spent on two beauty products in a very long time.

Why don’t you give one a try and email your thoughts to me?

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