March 31st, 2010
Tattoo Removal — What Is The Best Procedure
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 most common methods of tattoo removal and the positives and negatives of each procedure.
- Dermabrasion – this is a very painful method and involves sanding away the skin that has been tattooed.
- 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 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.
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. How many treatments are required depends on several different 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. 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.
- In the first 24 hours after treatment, ice the area periodically along with rest and elevation of the treated site. It’s also a good idea to limit physical activities and avoid saunas, 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.
- Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds during the healing process.
- 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.