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.