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Tattoo Removal

Posted by: Dawn on October 22nd, 2009

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Posted: Tattoo Removal

Reasons for Tattoo Removal

Did you ever think the day would come when that once incredible tattoo that turned heads or expressed deep emotions about the (now despised) love of your life would someday need to be removed? What was “to die for” 5 years ago, is now literally causing you untold embarrassment, a poor self-image or the possibility of losing a job today and it’s got to go.

If you feel that way, you are not alone. It is estimated that more than 10 million people have at least 1 tattoo and a busy physician who specializes in tattoo removal says that about 50% of those who get tattoos later regret them. Embarrassment, poor self-image or potential loss of a job is just a few of the reasons people opt for tattoo removal.

Regardless of the reason for pursuing tattoo removal, the good news is you don’t have to wear a tattoo you no longer want and you do have options for getting it removed, either partially or completely.

Options for Tattoo Removal

 Laser Tattoo Removal: (This is a medical procedure and it is important that it is done by an experienced laser tattoo removal expert i.e. a dermatological surgeon who specializes in tattoo removal.) This is the most common method of tattoo removal today. It works by focusing on the ink with pulses of highly concentrated laser light that breaks the ink into tiny pieces and these tiny pieces are then cleared away by the body’s own immune system. It usually requires multiple treatments depending on the size and colors of the tattoo and whether or not you’ve had that tattoo covered up with another at some point. The more treatments you have the more likely there will be damage to your skin, resulting in painful scabs that can eventually lead to scarring. However, with advancement in technology, that is less and less likely to be an issue. It can be painful (some describe it as feeling like they’ve been sprayed with hot grease). It can also be an expensive way to remove a tattoo, again depending on the size, color and kind of ink used. However it has been shown to have good results, with a high customer satisfaction rate.

Light Therapy through Intense Pulses or IPL: This process of tattoo removal uses high intensity light in a similar way laser light is used but with less trauma to the skin. A gel is applied to the skin and then a wand through which the light passes pulses on the area being treated. It is less painful than laser treatments and may be more effective with fewer treatments needed. The down side is that it is more expensive – $10 per pulse. Yikes!

Dermabrasion: For this tattoo removal process a small portion of the tattoo is sprayed with a solution that freezes the area and then the skin is actually sanded to remove the surface as well as the middle layers. This will cause some bleeding and the skin will peel. The sanding can be very painful, especially if the tattoos are large. For most people dermabrasion can usually remove a majority of the tattoo but not always.

Salabrasion: While this tattoo removal procedure is centuries old, it is still a method that is used today by some. A local anesthetic is injected around the tattoo and then a solution of ordinary tap water and table salt is applied. Then an abrading apparatus – like the one used in dermabrasion – or something as simple as a wooden block wrapped in gauze is used to vigorously rub the area. The idea is that it will cause the tattoo to fade – eventually. When the area becomes a deep red color, a dressing is applied.

Excision (cutting it out): This is a surgical tattoo removal procedure where the tattoo is cut out from the body. A local anesthetic to numb the area around the tattoo is injected into the skin and the tattoo is then surgically removed. (This procedure would not be recommended for very large tattoos obviously.) The edges are then brought together and sutured. This process of tattoo removal causes minimal bleeding, which can be quickly and easily cauterized. In some cases where the tattoo is somewhat large, and bringing the edges together would cause significant and obvious problems, a skin graft may be taken from another part of the body.

Tattoo Removal Creams: For those who want to avoid the pain of other procedures and/or don’t want to spend their life savings (or there is no life savings) in order to remove their tattoo and thus any remaining tangible sign of what was probably one of the least smartest things they’ve done in their lives, this could be a realistic option. The effectiveness of creams is debatable but there are testimonies of those who were very pleased with the results, especially because they still had a little money in their bank account when it was over. This procedure will require patience, as the minimum amount of time it will take is 2 months – and then much longer depending on the size and the colors of ink used.

Expected Results: 

Regardless of what method you choose for your tattoo removal, some scarring or variations can be expected. The healing time will depend on the size and depth of the tattoo, the procedure used and the individual themselves. The more information you can get ahead of time, the more likely you are to know what to expect and the more likely you are to be satisfied with the results.

 

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What Purposes Have Tattoos Served Throughout History?

Posted by: Dawn on November 17th, 2009

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Posted: Tattoo Removal

In ancient Egypt, getting a tattoo seemed to be an exclusively female practice and mummies found with tattoos were usually dismissed by the (male) excavators who apparently assumed the women were of “dubious status”, described in some cases as “dancing girls”.  The female mummies found, however, had been buried at Deir-el-Bahari (opposite modern Luxor) in an area associated with royal and elite burials.  One of those women, it was later learned, was actually a high-status priestess named Amunet, as revealed by her funerary inscriptions.

 

Although it was long assumed that tattoos worn by the women in ancient Egypt were the mark of prostitutes or were meant to protect the women against sexually transmitted diseases, there are some experts in the field who believe the tattooing of those women had a therapeutic role and functioned as a permanent form of amulet (magical protection against evil, disease or trouble) during the very difficult time of pregnancy and childbirth.  The fact that the patterns of distribution with the tattoos were found largely around the abdomen, on the top of the thighs and the breasts would certainly support this belief.  

 

During pregnancy the net-like pattern of dots applied over the abdomen would expand in a protective fashion in the same way bead nets were placed over wrapped mummies to protect them and “keep everything in”.  A tattoo of the household deity Bes at the tops of their thighs would again suggest the use of tattoos as a means of safe guarding the actual birth since Bes was the protector of women in labor and placing him at the tops of the women’s thighs would be a suitable location.  These finds would certainly explain tattoos as a purely female custom in ancient Egypt.

 

Throughout history, whether male or female, tattoos have served a variety of purposes. In addition to amulets and protection against evil, disease or trouble, they have been declarations of love, signs of religious beliefs, adornments and even forms of punishment. In some cultures they identified social status or were used for ritual or tribal markings or rights of passage. (3)  The cultural significance and importance of tattoos to people around the world has been evident from the famous discovery of the 5200 year old “Iceman” to our current culture today both in the west and around the world.

 

Those seeking to get a first or new tattoo are growing daily and it is estimated that 40 to 50 million Americans alone have tattoos.  Tattoo regret and the desire of tattoo removal is also growing and some estimates run as high as 50 percent of those who receive a tattoo will eventually have a desire to seek tattoo removal.  Tattoo removal can be more painful then when the tattoo is applied and tattoo removal cost can be quite expensive.  Today, there are removal options such as, laser tattoo removal, tattoo removal cream or a simple tattoo cover up.

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A Few Takes on Facial Tattoos

Posted by: Dawn on November 11th, 2009

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Posted: Tattoo Removal

Facial Tattoos


 

In the Maori culture of New Zealand, a culture well known for its focus on facial tattoos, the head was considered the most important part of the body, with the face embellished by incredibly elaborate tattoos or “moko”, which were regarded as marks of high status.  Those tattoos were unique to each individual, so much so that they contained specific information about their status, rank, ancestry and abilities.  Because of this, the tattoos were accurately described as a form of ID card, passport or a kind of bar code for the face.  Tattoos of warriors were given at various stages of life, thus being a rite of passage of sorts.  They were also regarded as enhancing their features and making them more attractive to the opposite sex.


The Maori women also tattooed their faces, though the markings tended to be concentrated around the nose and lips.  At one point Christian missionaries tried to stop the procedure but the women argued that the tattoos around their mouths and chins prevented the skin from becoming wrinkled and kept them young.  Obviously the missionaries backed down as the practice was apparently continued as recently as the 1970’s.


Extensive facial and body tattoos were used among Native Americans, such as the Cree.  There is also evidence for facial tattooing found among mummified bodies of a group of six Greenland Inuit women around A.D. 1475.  1000 years earlier, a tattooed female mummy was found on St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea. However, her tattoos of dots, lines and hearts were confined to the arms and hands.


Facial Tattoo Removal

 

Tattoos are designed to be permanent and having a tattoo in such a visible place as your face can lead to embarrassment, loss of job opportunities, etc.  Unlike the Maori culture where facial tattoos are not only the norm but culturally encouraged for the reasons mentioned above.  Our culture accepts tattoos for primarily decorative purposes only and even that can be frowned upon.  To tattoo one’s face in our Western culture can cause a variety of problems for an individual, the least of which is tattoo removal.  Having a tattoo inked on your face may not be the wisest decision you will ever make.  Many tattoo artists in today’s culture simply refuse a customer’s request for a facial tattoo.


It is estimated that close to half of those who get tattoos today live to regret their original decision and seek a tattoo removal.  Can you imagine the regret that may come from having permanent ink injected deep into your facial skin?  Getting a tattoo removal can be expensive and can be painful.  Imagine having to put tattoo removal cream on your face, or laser tattoo removal.  How about having your face sanded, layer by layer?  Can you imagine the cost of tattoo removal and the time and care that would be needed?  How about blistering or even lasting scars?  Tattoo artist are simply using their wisdom when they refuse to tattoo a customer’s face because of the regret that may come and the difficulty of tattoo removal.


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Religious Perspectives on Tattoos

Posted by: Dawn on November 9th, 2009

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Posted: Tattoo Removal

Tattoos in our western culture have grown over recent times to where it is estimated that over 40 million Americans now have tattoos and that number is growing daily.  It has also been estimated that over 50 percent of those receiving tattoos have had thoughts of tattoo removal for many different reasons.  Even today tattoo removal is more difficult and can be more painful than originally getting a tattoo.  Some have sought tattoo removal for religious reasons.

Religion and tattoos have had their differences over the years.  Today it is certainly not uncommon to see individuals in churches throughout the world wearing a tattoo.   What are the positions of the major religious organizations today?

Jewish Positions on Tattoos
Orthodox Jews, in strict application of Halakha (Jewish law) believe Leviticus 19:28 “You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead not make any tattoo marks on yourselves: for I am the Lord.”  Part of that interpretation of the reading of Leviticus is to apply it only to the specific ancient practice of rubbing the ashes of the dead into the wounds; but modern tattooing is included in other religious interpretations.
Having a tattoo, in most sectors of the religious Jewish community, does not prohibit participation and even with a tattoo, full participation in all synagogue rituals is allowed.  One may also be buried in a Jewish cemetery with a tattoo. 

In stricter sectors of the Jewish community, however, a narrow application of the Halakha can be applied and someone with a tattoo can be forbidden from being buried in Jewish cemetery.  Many communities, most notably the Modern Orthodix, accept laser tattoo removal as repentance, even when removed post-mortem.
Reform and Reconstructionist Jews neither condemn nor condone tattooing.

Christian Positions on Tattoos
Christians often have cited Leviticus 19:28 as a verse that prohibits tattoos.  The New American Standard Version of the Bible states, “You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves:  I am the Lord.”  To many it may appear that the passage disallows any markings of the flesh, to include modern-day tattoos.  However, it is likely the passage refers specifically to the form of mourning that was common in the Middle East at that time.

Muslim Positions on Tattoo
The majority of Sunni Muslims adhere to the belief that tattooing is religiously forbidden (along with most other forms of permanent physical modification).  They base this belief on Sharia (or Islamic) Law and the view arises from references in the Prophetic Hadith which denounce those who attempt to change the creation of God (Allah) in what is seen as excessive attempts to beautify that which was already perfected.  The human being is seen as having been ennobled by God (Allah), the human form viewed as created beautiful and the act of tattoo would be a form of self-mutilation.

Tattoo Removal
If you are considering tattoo removal there are several methods available today from surgery, laser tattoo removal, tattoo removal cream and a simple tattoo cover up.  Tattoo removal costs varies tremendously between the alternatives as does the effectiveness of each method.

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Removing a Tattoo – Good Reasons to Get it Done!

Posted by: Dawn on November 6th, 2009

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Posted: Tattoo Removal

It was a great idea – at the time.  You thought you’d always love Joe and tattooing his name on your neck seemed like a great way to stay connected forever.  Then you met Hank and suddenly your ‘JOE’ tattoo feels like a huge ball and chain around your neck rather than a few little letters and the sooner that tattoo is off your neck, the better.

If you are thinking of tattoo removal, you are not alone, especially if you’re a woman.  Two comparative studies done by Myrna L. Armstrong, RD, EdD, of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center found that more women than men wanted their tattoos removed. Interestingly, some women discovered once they got their tattoo that societal support for them was not as strong for women as it is for men, even in our contemporary society.

Even though more women then men seem seek tattoo removal, the reasons given by both men and women are similar. The top 6 reasons given by both men and women for tattoo removals are:

58% just decided to remove it
57% suffered embarrassment
38% had lowered body image
38% new job/career
37% had problem with clothes
25% experienced stigma

Above all, the main reason given for tattoo removal in either sex was because they had a “shift in their identities” and wanted to get rid of their past, whether the past included an ex-love’s name, being part of a gang or because they no longer think having a tattoo is as cool as they thought it was when they had it put on.

It’s interesting to compare the reasons many people get a tattoo with why they have it removed. The study sited above showed that those same people who were seeing a dermatologist to get their tattoo remove, originally had it put on for the following reasons:

44% wanted to feel unique
33% wanted to feel independent
28% wanted to bring attention to a particular life experience.

The purpose of this article is not to evaluate the maturity or the wisdom of those who got tattoos or to discuss whether or not getting a tattoo was the right way to go about achieving their goals.  Rather it is to say that it is not uncommon in the least for many people who got a tattoo – for what ever reason – to later regret it and to have it removed. In many cases, having the tattoo removed can show greater maturity and wisdom than the initial decision itself.
Having said that then, there is no reason not to remove a tattoo unless the method one chooses to use is too cost prohibitive – such as laser tattoo removal.  There are less expensive methods and all should be equally explored prior to making a decision.  However, for most, the tattoo removal cost, and in come cases the pain, are a relatively small price to pay to have the burden lifted of wearing a tattoo you now seriously regret.  Methods of tattoo removal are many, such as, laser tattoo removal, tattoo removal cream or a simple tattoo cover up and of course tattoo removal cost is a factor to consider.

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Tattoo Removal-Ink and Its Effects on Your Skin

Posted by: Dawn on November 2nd, 2009

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Posted: Tattoo Removal

Most tattoo inks technically aren’t inks at all but rather a combination of pigments that are suspended in a carrier solution. While some companies claim to use vegetable dyes the reality is most pigments are primarily metal salts. Other pigments are plastics.  The type of ink can have a substantial impact on the sucess of tattoo removal.
Manufacturer’s of tattoo inks are not required to reveal their contents nor is the ink regulated by the FDA or other agencies. Professional tattoo artists rely primarily on the same pigment base found in cosmetics.  Often times amateur tattooers use drawing inks such as low grade India ink. These can often contain impurities and toxins which can lead to illness or infection.
Heavy metals used for colors include mercury (red); lead (yellow, green, white); cadmium (red, orange, yellow); nickel (black); zinc (yellow, white); chromium (green); cobalt (blue); aluminum (green, violet); titanium (white); copper (blue, green); iron (brown, black, red); barium (white). Tattoo ink manufacturers typically blend the heavy metal pigments and/or use lightening agents (such as lead or titanium) to reduce production costs.
The carrier is necessary to disinfect the pigment suspension, keep it evenly mixed and provide for ease of application. Some of the most common ingredients used for that purpose are;
Ethanol Purified water Witch hazel Listerine Propylene Glycol Glycerol
When an alcohol is used as part of the carrier base in tattoo ink or to disinfect the skin before the tattoo is applied, it increases the skins permeability, facilitating better transport of chemicals into the bloodstream.
No tattoo leaves the skin unscathed during the process of either getting a tattoo or tattoo removal. When the pigment is injected into the dermal layer of the skin, it does damage to the epidermis, epidermal-junction and the papillary layer (top layer) of the dermis (skin). This actually causes the layers to become homogenized (soft and mushy) right after the tattooing process.
The tattoo process creates an autoimmune response in the body since the skin is damaged and capillaries are broken. The first thing the body wants to do is stop the bleeding by causing swelling as the neutrophils respond to the injury. Neutrophils are phagocyte cells that clean up the damaged area by swallowing up the ink and flushing it through the lymphatic system.
As the healing proceeds, the damaged epidermis flakes away as the ink itself is initially dispersed as fine granules in the upper dermis, (eliminating surface pigment). The ink then gathers into more concentrated areas many days later. This happens as deeper in the skin granulation tissue forms, which is later converted to connective tissues by collagen growth. This mends the upper dermis, where pigment remains trapped within fibroblasts that ultimately concentrate in a layer just below the dermis/epidermis boundary. Once this occurs, the pigment remains stable but throughout the years, it will tend to migrate deeper into the dermis, accounting for the degraded detail of old tattoos.
A majority of people who get tattoos experience very little skin problems but it does happen. Sometimes keloid scars or granulomas develop (red bumps caused by inflammation) and these can provoke allergic reactions, making the skin itch and break out. These allergic reactions can occur with no warning years after getting a tattoo. Dry skin has been known to contribute to this and applying lotion can sometimes relieve it, if that happens to be the cause. Swelling or burning may be experienced if a person were to get an MRI over a tattooed part of the body but the good news is, it shouldn’t last long.
It is wise not to get a tattoo over a mole as that will make it harder to detect a cancerous mole growth.
Most skin problems, if they occur, happen when the tattoos are removed. Not only is tattoo removal quite painful but quite often, depending on the process used, there is some scarring following the procedure.  Whether or not tattoo removal is a current consideration at this time, chances are it might be sometime in the future. So the decisions made at the time one has a tattoo put on are very important for they can significantly effect the success of the tattoo removal down the road. The type and color of ink used as well as the professional level of the tattoo artist all play a role in determining the ease and effectiveness of getting it off sometime in the future.

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