When tattoos are created, they are considered to be permanent markings on the skin of an individual. Consequently, removing them is not a simple process. Below are some of the more well know ways to remove tattoos, and also some of the pros and cons fo 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. 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. Tattoos naturally fade over time because of this same process, the laser just greatly speeds up the process.

Laser tattoo removal is the most common and is less painful than all the other methods. It can also be done in an outpatient setting (unlike some of the other methods) which makes it more convenient.

Since laser tattoo removal does not involve traumatic damage to the skin it has far less severe side effects than other method. 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. How many treatments are required depends on several different factors: how effectively the body’s immune system scavenges the fragmented ink. The age, depth and type of ink used as well as how the tattoo was applied are all important factors. Since there are a multitude of inks used in tattooing, it is difficult to gauge an exact amount of treatments required to remove a tattoo. Very rarely, more than ten treatments may be needed. 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 aspirin or some other mild pain reliever before and after the treatment.

- 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.

- 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.

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Tags: laser tattoo removal, tattoo, tattoo removal, tattoo removal methods

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 at 1:24 am and is filed under Spa Treatments. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.