Options For Tattoo Removal
With so many people getting tattoos now a days, there are more and more people needing tattoos removed as well. However, there are many choices to have a tattoo removed.
Laser Removal
Lasers are used to create a high amount of heat to break down the ink in the tattoo. The ink is then removed through the bodies own functions. Laser tattoo removal may cause blistering of the skin, because of the high temperature. The skin is numbed, but laser removal can still be uncomfortable. Multiple laser treatments may be necessary to remove the tattoo depending on the size and color of the tattoo.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion entails taking a sanding disk or wire brush and removing the top layers of the skin. Dermabrasion has been around for years and the process can be very painful and does usually scar. The area is numbed and the skin is brushed and sanded away until all the ink is gone.
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy, also called IPL, is another laser version of tattoo removal. The source of light is different and it is less painful than standard laser treatment. Fewer treatments are needed to remove the tattoo, however it is mush more expensive to have done.
Surgical Removal
The tattoo is surgically cut away. Once the area has been removed, the skin that surrounded the tattoo is sewn together to cover the opening. However, this only works on small tattoos. Larger tattoos can result in a skin graph to cover the removed skin. This procedure is very painful and is usually used as last resort.
Scarification Peels
A chemical peel is when an acid solution is used on the tattoo area, which results in the skin peeling away. Trichloroacetic acid is used when doing a chemical peel. The acid damages the skin, which results in the peeling. This does require a few treatments and as the top layer of skin peels away, the layers below with the ink began to peel away as well. However, it is not always very effective and many times the tattoo can still be seen and is only faded.
Removal Creams
Tattoo removal creams have Hydroquinone in them and can be risky if used for a long time. Hydroquinone can result in the darkening of the skin. These creams can take a year or more to remove the tattoo and and does become costly.
