Tattoos are considered to be permanent markings on a person’s skin when they are created. Consequently, removing them is not a simple 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 - a procedure where the doctor removes the area of tattooed skin with a scalpel and then stitches together the skin that remains. This is not a good option on very large tattoos.
- Laser Tattoo Removal- A laser goes through the surface of the skin and breaks down the tattoo ink that is deeper in the skin. When the ink breaks down the body’s immune system naturally removes the tattoo dye because it is seen as an impurity in the body. Tattoos naturally fade over time because of this same process, the laser just greatly 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.
Since laser tattoo removal does not involve traumatic damage to the skin it has far less severe side effects than other method. Keep in mind though that it usually takes a multiple laser removal treatments to totally remove the tattoo 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 well the broken down ink gets eliminated by the body’s immune system. The age, depth and type of ink used as well as how the tattoo 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. Laser treatments are also very effective if a person wants to lighten a tattoo so they can put a new one in its place.
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 a mild pain reliever (like aspirin) before and after the procedure.
- 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.
Laser tattoo removal is considered the most effective tattoo removal procedure at this time. Because it works in conjuncture with a person’s immune system it may take more time than other methods. However, this also accounts for the fact it is more effective, less painful, and it doesn’t have side effects of the other procedures.
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