Tattoo Removal
Every year, thousands of people add a new tattoo to their body. Yet, approximately half of people who get tattoos later decide to have them removed.
The success of tattoo removal, however, depends largely on the type of tattoo and the process used to remove it. If you are considering getting your tattoo removed, there are a few things you should know about the procedure.
Types of Tattoos
The majority of tattoos are created by professionals at tattoo salons or parlors. At the same time, many tattoos are applied by amateurs with the help of India ink and a needle or a toothbrush. The amount of time it takes to remove your tattoo will depend largely on how your tattoo was applied. In addition, if you have a newer tattoo or one that has been retraced, it will most likely be more difficult to remove because the pigment will be denser than an older tattoo.
The color used to create your tattoo also has an impact on how easy or difficult it will be to remove. This is because a tattoo made with many different colors is usually more difficult to remove than a tattoo made with just one color.
Surgical Tattoo Removal
One choice you have for removing your tattoo is with the help of surgery. This technique, however, is quite destructive to the skin because it involves actually cutting the tattoo out. The end result is usually a straight-line scar. If the tattoo is too large or if there is not enough loose skin surrounding the scar to repair the wound, skin grafting may be necessary.
Dermabrasion or salabrasion, which is surgical scraping of the skin, is another option for tattoo removal. This technique, however, often does not remove all of the pigment from the skin. In addition, it usually results in thick scarring.
Laser Tattoo Removal
The safest and most effective method form removing a tattoo is with laser surgery. When first developed, laser tattoo removal often left behind a white scar. This is no longer true. Today, laser tattoo removal causes no damage to the surrounding skin. Instead, it breaks up the pigment, which is then absorbed by the body.
Sometimes, it is necessary to undergo several laser treatments in order to completely remove the pigment from a tattoo. Fortunately, each treatment takes only a few minutes to complete. Furthermore, the pigment will never return after it is removed.
What to Expect After Laser Tattoo Removal
For a few days after your laser tattoo removal treatment, the area will be slightly crusted and you may experience some pinpoint bleeding. To prevent infection, clean the area with soap and water every day. In addition, be sure to cover it with non-stick bandages and ointment when going outside in order to protect it from the sun. The wound should be completely gone seven to ten days after the procedure. It can take a few weeks or even a few months, however, for the pigment of the tattoo to fade away completely.
Deciding Whether or Not to Go Through with Laser Tattoo Removal
Laser tattoo removal is a safe process. In addition, it is relatively painless. In fact, it is less painful than getting a tattoo. You will also be able to resume your usual activities immediately following treatment and the area will require minimal care after surgery. Insurance companies, however, rarely cover laser tattoo removal unless there is a medical need for it. Therefore, you need to be prepared to pay for the procedure yourself.
Be prepared to undergo several treatments in order to completely remove your tattoo. This is particularly true if your tattoo contains unusual colors. Each of these treatments is usually spaced about six to eight weeks apart. In the end, however, it will be worth it when the tattoo is completely disappeared.