Tattoo Removal Procedures

Nowadays, there are a growing number of people that are choosing to remove their tattoos. Some find that tattoos bring back unwanted memories of the past. Others find that tattoos may be detrimental to their health and eventually cause skin cancer or some type of skin disease. Career concerns, bad artwork or art placement, changing lifestyle or personal taste are just a few of the reasons that people decide to remove their tattoos. Studies have shown that approximately 10% of Americans have some kind of tattoo and of that percentage, 50% want them removed. The tattoo removal procedures people commonly use these days are as follows:

Laser Tattoo Removal

These days, most people use laser technology to remove their tattoos. Basically, lasers remove tattoos by breaking up the pigment colors of the tattoo with a high-intensity light beam. The more treatments you have, the more the laser can penetrate to wipe away the ink. However, overdoing the treatments can cause damage to you skin and eventually lead to scarring. If treated properly, sometimes there are no traces of scarring but it really depends on the situation. Basically, the laser type, number of sessions and the patient's body ability to rid it self of the ink are factors that can determine the outcome of the procedure. Depending on your tattoo, you may need anywhere from 1-10 sessions, each costing in the range of $250-$1000 per session.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)

IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light Therapy is an effective tattoo removal treatment that targets intense light onto the upper layer of the skin basically burning it off. The treatment stimulates new skin growth, and when the treated area heals, the tattoo is usually much less noticeable than before. This method is said to be not as painful as laser therapy, and more effective, resulting in less treatment sessions. It usually takes 10-12 months after the treatment for full results to show. The cost of IPL is based on the number of pulses your tattoo requires to be removed and it can range anywhere from $10-$15 per pulse.

Using Creams to Fade Away Tattoos

Creams are a chemical, non-laser approach to removing a tattoo. They are used over an extended period of time to gradually fade away a tattoo. However, results are not guaranteed and people usually resort to this method only if laser treatments are out of the budget. Some creams burn away layers of skin and can cause scarring. The positive side to cream is that it's affordable, however the saying goes as follows "you get what you pay for."

Excision

Excision involves removing the tattooed area of skin and then stitching it closed. This method is more ideal for smaller tattoo, however can still be used on larger ones. For larger tattoos, the skin is removed and a skin graft from another part of the body is used to cover the area.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure where the surgeon uses a sanding tool to go over the skin in order to rub off the top layers of the skin to reveal fresh skin beneath. Local anesthesia is used during the treatment. When the procedure is over, the skin appears to be red in color and is tender. It usually takes the skin a few weeks to heal. This procedure is not recommended if the patient is prone to scarring. If the patient is prone to hyper or hypo-pigmentation as well, then this procedure is not highly recommended.

Tattoo removal surgery has recently become more popular for various reasons. A patient should do their research and give the surgery some serious thought before proceeding.

If you are considering having a tattoo removed, the first thing you want to do is research the various options available for tattoo removal surgery. You need to also consider the costs, time commitment, and risks.

The next step is to make an appointment with a local physician or dermatologist to setup an initial consultation. The doctor will discuss your options and go over any questions or concerns you have. The doctor will be able to explain the surgery and go over the details such as cost and risks.

When you decide to move forward, an appointment will be made for the initial procedure. The size and condition of your tattoo will determine how many sessions will be necessary to complete the removal process.