Tattoo Removal

As long as there are tattoos (be they intentional or a product of injury) there will be a need of tattoo removal. Some tattoos are mint to live their life forever where they were placed — some are thought of as mistakes. Regardless of your reasons, if it was intentional or from objects being forced into the skin due to trauma, there is a removal process which can lessen the look or completely remove the tattoo.

 

Please know that not all tattoos are capable of being fully removed with lasers or non-scarring treatments and may need to be excised. There are different methods for different colors and types so please consult with a qualified tattoo removal physician for more information.

What Is Tattoo Removal? Tattoo removal is the procedure to lessen the look or completely remove ink or other substances which have been implanted into the dermis either intentionally or by accident. These methods may be excision, laser resurfacing or removal, dermabrasion, chemical removal or with intense pulsed light. Salibrasion is also another method as are injections of a saline solution.

 

This tattoo may be the tribal band, Taz or dolphin you thought you wanted or something as simple as a tattoo left by a jab with a sharpened pencil tip. Some tattoos may be the result of matter implanted accidentally from falls, or accidents which caused dirt and rock to enter a wound.

 

There are several options for tattoo removal, however not all physician’s offices will offer each one. Please discuss this before you consult or make an appointment to discuss your options for more information on what is available.

Laser Removal: Laser removal is the penetration and break up of the ink articles that were implanted into your skin. This procedure essentially speeds up your body’s natural process of ridding your body of the foreign object that is ink. This procedure uses various types of lasers or intense pulsed light therapy machines depending upon the color of the ink. This procedure once took an average about 2 years to fully remove a tattoo and even then it was not guaranteed. Although modern lasers and light systems can remove it in less time, this process is entirely dependent upon the laser type, number of sessions and the patient’s body’s ability to rid it self of the ink. This procedure is performed under a topical anesthetic, or with none at all.

 

Intense Pulsed Light: The same concept as above however Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is utilized. IPL was pioneered by Dr. Patrick Bitter Jr. and is based on emitting high intensity pulses of light (not lasers) to penetrate the skin and rid you of various complaints. There are different machines for different levels or types of penetration. This procedure is performed under a topical anesthetic, or with none at all.

Dermabrasion: This method is not without it’s scars. Most Tattoos are deep within the dermis and in order for the tattoo to be removed this skin and all the ink must be removed with it. Dermabrasion is the procedure which utilizes manual abrasion (with either fine grit surgical sandpaper or a Dremel® like tool) of the skin to usually remove acne scarring, hyperpigmentations, wrinkles such as peri-oral (around the mouth) wrinkles, scar revision and of course, tattoo removal. Although this procedure is usually performed by itself for the above indications, dermabrasion can be used in combination with other types of treatments as well. This procedure is performed under local anesthetic or local and oral/IV sedation. 

 

Excision: This method also leaves a scar but is suitable for smaller tattoos — the results are immediate and the treatment generally inexpensive. The tattoo it literally cut out of your skin and the wound sutured. It is relatively simple and has a mild recovery phase if no infections or other complications arise. This procedure is performed under local anesthetic, depending upon the size.

Salibrasion: This is a very old method of abrasion where the treatment area is literally rubbed with salt. This procedure is probably one of the oldest resurfacing techniques known. This procedure is performed under local anesthetic.

 

Saline Injections: Injections can be given to help break up a tattoo – this usually does not remove the tattoo but they can blurry it significantly. Some tattoo artists suggest this if the area will be getting a cover up anyway. This helps blur and fade the old tattoo to make way for a customized cover up tattoo.

 

Are You a Candidate for Tattoo Removal? Not everyone is a candidate for Tattoo Removal — however if the tattooing process was carried without any complications (keloid, hypertrophy, etc) you are generally able to have a removal procedure. If you are prone to keloids, hyper or hypo pigmentation or do not react well to burns or excessive scarring due to minor cuts and abrasions, tattoo removal may result in more noticeable scar, post-treatment. The abrasive medium literally rubs off the top layers of skin to reveal younger-looking, fresh skin beneath. If you scar badly from abrasions, or scrapes, the results of dermabrasion could be disastrous. Also, if you have ethnicity (i.e. Greek, Italian, Asian or African-American, etc.) in your biological family, you may be prone to hyper or hypopigmentation resulting from any level of dermabrasion. Lasers literally burn the skin so if you scar badly from burns — this could also be a problem. Other methods may also scar you and leave only a thick scar in the place of where your tattoo was — defeating the purpose.

 

Also, you should NOT have a removal treatment on the affected area if you have the following: Undiagnosed lesions, Warts, Active, weeping acne (stages 3-4), Active Rosacea, Unstable diabetes, Auto-immune system disorders, and pigmentation problems.

 

Communication is crucial in reaching one’s goals. You must be able to voice your desires to your surgeon if he/she is to understand what your desired results are. This is a procedure which requires patience and stability in dealing with the healing period.

 

After checking a few physicians’ backgrounds and credentials, you will make an appointment for a consultation. You will meet with these physicians and discuss your goals and you will disclose all information regarding your health; if you smoke, what medications or vitamins you presently take, etc. — this is very important. You really should consider smoking cessation as this can significantly decrease healing.

The Road to Recovery…You will feel as though your skin has a windburn or sunburn when the anesthetic starts wearing off (if you had any) and will find that your skin is tight. Do not make excessive or widely exaggerated movements of the treatment area if you can help it. This can be uncomfortable, cause tearing of the skin and bleeding. Below is a typical after care instruction sheet, please ask your physician or skin care specialist for your own specific instruction sheet.

 

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