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Colored pigment injected into the skin, usually for the purposes of a design of some type is called a tattoo. The reasons for getting a tattoo are varied, as are the reason for wanted the design removed. Tattoos are supposed to be permanent. For this reason the pigments are deep in the skin and can therefore take some time before the complete tattoo can be removed. The type, depth and density of the ink, length of time the tattoo has been in the skin, size and weather the tattoo was done by a professional or amateur will determine how effectively the tattoo removal will be. Several options are available to remove a tattoo. Excision, dermabrasion, Salabrasion, topical creams and lasers can all be painful, lead to scarring and will more often than not cost more than the original tattoo.
Removal of a tattoo by excision requires the design be cut out of the skin and the sutured together. The tattoo can be completely removed with a resulting scar. Dermabrasion tattoo removal can remove the ink by sanding the top layers of skin away. The treated areas scab and take several days to heal. Often severe scars can be the leftover result once the tattoo is gone. Salabrasion is an ancient dermabrasion technique that uses the abrasiveness of salt to scrub and sand away the upper layers of skin. This treatment is very inexpensive, and results are at time questionable. Minimal to a reported maximal clearing of tattoos can be achieved. Scarring and infection may also be a result. Tattoo removal creams have the general aim of fading the ink within the skin. While some claim to be able to lighten the tattoo, results for some have not been consistent.
The most common and effective way to remove a tattoo today is with a laser. Laser tattoo removal works by targeting the ink with pulses of highly concentrated laser light. The light breaks up the ink, initiating an immune response for the body to then absorb the ink. Many sessions are required to clear the skin of the ink. Side effects include scabbing, blisters, possible scarring and color variations in the skin such as hyper-pigmentation. A topical anesthetic cream can be applied to the area prior to treatment for increased patient comfort as well as the use of a cooling device during treatment. Many report laser tattoo removal feels as if hot rubber bands are snapping at the skin. The size of the tattoo, depth and density of the ink as well as the skin response to the treatments will determine the number of session required. Often a range of 3-15 treatments are required at 6-8 week intervals.
Intense pulsed light therapy or IPL is another light source type of removal for tattoos. High intensity light is pulsed on to the skin in much the same way as laser light, but is reported to not give as much discomfort. Compared to laser IPL treatments are fewer, however the cost tends to be higher with some treatment centers charging per pulse. Costs for the various tattoo removal treatments can range from $150- $5000 or more. |
