What options are available for tattoo removal?

Thousands of individuals each year undergo placement of permanent tattoos somewhere on their bodies. After the initial excitement, a significant number realize that they have made a bad choice and want the tattoo removed. Tattoo removal has now become a million dollar business and the art of tattoo removal has now moved into the arena of the plastic and cosmetic surgeons. Over the decades, a number of techniques have been developed to remove tattoos. Many of the older techniques are mentioned only to be placed in the archives of tattooing history.

What are the techniques of removing tattoos?

Methods for removing tattoos include laser treatments, abrasion, scarification, and surgery. Of all the techniques, Laser removal of tattoos is the gold standard

What does laser treatment consist of?

Laser treatments can remove most tattoos, some more easily and than others. Generally, several visits are necessary over a period of weeks to month and the treatments are expensive. Some individuals experience hypopigmentation -- a lightening of the natural skin coloring -- in the affected area. There also have been reports of individuals suffering allergic reactions after laser treatments to remove tattoos, apparently related to the ink released from the tattoo. In addition, laser treatments are expensive ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars

What is dermabrasion?

Dermabrasion involves abrading (rubbing/scratching) the skin with a wire brush or diamond fraise (a type of sanding disc). Dermabrasion is used frequently by the dermatologist for evening out deep pitted acne scars and fine lines around the mouth and eyes due to aging. The procedure is slightly painful and requires multiple treatments spaced over a few months. Dermabrasion works much like a chemical peel in that it removes the top few layers of skin.  This process itself may leave a scar. The technique is rarely used today for tattoo removal. 

What is Salabraison?

Salabrasion is a technique whereby the tattoo is soaked in a salt solution to remove the pigment. It may be combined with dermabrasion. The technique is only effective for superficial tattoos and requires multiple treatments. At best, this technique only causes fading of the tattoo.

What is Scarification?

Scarification Involves removal of the tattoo with an acid solution. Chemical peels have been around in various forms for over half a century. In the past 2 decades, 25% trichloro acetic acid is available as a chemical peel. The TCA skin peel causes a controlled burn which results in several layers being peeled off and fresh, new skin being revealed. The technique is rarely used today. 

Is surgery ever required to remove tattoos?

Surgical removal involves excising the entire tattoo together with the skin. The skin is then sutured back if the defect is small; otherwise skin grafts are required to close the defect. Surgery is a last resort for very large tattoos and only done when all other measures have failed.

What is camouflage?

Camouflaging a tattoo entails the injection of new pigments either to form a new pattern or cover a tattoo with skin-toned pigments. Injected pigments tend not to look natural because they lack the skin's natural translucence. The price is usually just the price of a regular tattoo, and when done correctly your old tattoo will be completely invisible.

What is Intense Pulsed Light ?

Intense Pulsed Light skin treatment has been used to treat acne and can also causes tattoo fading.  IPL works better on bright colors and is quite effective in fading a tattoo. The treatment is effective but also expensive. Multiple treatments are usually required.

What is TCA?

TCA has been medically tested and proven to fade/lighten and/or remove tattoos. It is a common skin peeling agent used by dermatologists, cosmeticians and plastic surgeons to help remove fine lines, wrinkles and acne scars. More on TCA...

Final Advice

BEWARE OF OLDER TECHNIQUES and if not in a hurry, save some money and get laser therapy to remove the tattoo. Of all possible removal techniques, laser removal is considered the safest and least painful. Lasers therapy can the pigment, land causes minimal scarring. Different types and wavelengths target different colors, breaking up the pigment and leaving the body's natural healing mechanisms to remove the ink.