Mar 31 2010
What Is The Best Way Of Removing A Tattoo
Tattoos are put on a persons skin with the idea that they will be there forever. 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 - 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. 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 can also be done in an outpatient setting (unlike some of the other methods) which makes it more convenient.
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. 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 well the broken down ink gets eliminated by the body’s immune system. 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. Very rarely, more than ten treatments may be needed. Laser treatments are also very effective if a person wants to lighten a tattoo so they can put a new one in its place.
A few things that a patient can do to lessen the pain and improve the healing process after a laser tattoo removal are:
- 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.
-After 24 hours use Aloe-Cort cream twice a day to moisturize the area.
- 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.
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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