Tattoo Removal — What Is The Best Procedure
When tattoos are created, they are considered to be permanent markings on the skin of an individual. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that removing them is not an easy 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 – 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. 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. This is actually the same process that occurs naturally that causes tattoos to fade. The laser just speeds up the process.
Laser tattoo removal is the most common and is less painful than all the other methods. 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.
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. However keep in mind that it may take several laser removal sessions to get the tattoo totally removed from your skin. Generally, it takes 1-6 sessions for amateur tattoos, and 3-15 sessions for professional tattoos. Each one of these treatments should be spaced about 6-8 weeks apart to allow the body to absorb the ink. The number of treatments depends on a variety of 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. If someone is interested in lightening the tattoo to place a new tattoo, laser treatments are extremely effective.
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.
-After 24 hours use Aloe-Cort cream twice a day to moisturize the area.
- DO NOT pop blisters or pick scabs as this will make it more prone to scarring and infection.
- Do not spend an extended period of time exposed to the sun and avoid tanning beds while the area is healing.
- Be gentle when washing the treated area so you do not increase irritation and inhibit 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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