When tattoos are created, they are considered to be permanent markings on the skin of an individual. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that removing them is not an easy process. Below are some of the more well know ways to remove tattoos, and also some of the pros and cons fo each procedure.
- Dermabrasion – a very painful method of sanding away the tattooed skin.
- Cryosurgery – where the tattooed skin is frozen and then removed.
- Excision – This is a procedure that involves removing the tattooed skin with a scalpel and then stitching the remaining skin together. As you can imagine, not a good option on large tattoos.
- Laser Tattoo Removal- a laser goes through the top layer of skin (the epidermis) and reaches the dermis layer that is where the tattoo ink resides. The laser causes the tattoo ink to break down. As the ink breaks down the coloring is removed by the patient’s own natural immune system that sees the tattoo dye as an impurity to rid itself of. This is actually the same process that occurs naturally that causes tattoos to fade. The laser just speeds up the process.
Of all the tattoo removal methods, laser tattoo removal is the most popular and least painful. It also has the advantage that it can be done on an outpatient basis, which makes it more convenient than some of the other methods.
Laser tattoo removal has far less detrimental side effects than other methods mainly because the laser method is less invasive than the other removal measures. However keep in mind that it may take several laser removal sessions to get the tattoo totally removed from your skin. In general, most amateur tattoos require 1 – 6 treatments. While professional tattoos usually require 3-15 treatments, all spaced approximately 6 – 8 weeks apart. The number of treatments depends on a variety of factors: how effectively the body’s immune system scavenges the fragmented ink. The age, how deep the ink is in the skin, the type of ink used and how it was applied are all important factors. Since there are a large variety of differnet inks used in tattooing, it is hard to predict the exact number of treatements required to remove a tattoo. While possible, it is very rare for a tattoo to require more than 10 treatments. If someone is interested in lightening the tattoo to place a new tattoo, laser treatments are extremely effective.
Here are several things that a person can do to reduce the pain and speed up the healing process after a laser tattoo removal session:
- Take aspirin or some other mild pain reliever before and after the treatment.
- For the first full day after the procedure, every so often ice the treated area and elevate it if possible. It is also recommended to limiting physical activities and avoid saunas, and swimming.
-24 hours past the treatment try to keep the area moisturized by using Aloe-Cort cream a couple of times a day.
- It is important NOT to break blisters or pick at scabs, because this will increase the chances of scarring and infection.
- Do not spend an extended period of time exposed to the sun and avoid tanning beds while the area is healing.
- When taking a shower be careful not to scrub the affected area as it will increase the inflammation and slow the healing process.
The most effective way to remove an unwanted tattoo at this time is laser tattoo removal. Since it works with the body’s immune system it may take longer than other methods, but he results are better, it is less painful, and it doesn’t have the side effects of the other methods.
