Tattoo Removal

Skin art, more commonly known as tattoos, are the most common body adornments, being an intrinsic part of many cultures around the world. It is commonly used to express idealism, cultural identity, artistic preference, and for some, even their preferred way of life. Considering that tattoos are relatively permanent marking on the body, getting one often necessarily means a lot of consideration on the part of the one getting it, as well as a good measure of willpower.

There are times, however, that even the most steadfast of decisions, such as getting a tattoo, apparently runs its course. The person who got the tattoo then has a change of heart and decides to have a tattoo removal. Reasons for having a tattoo removal greatly various from case to case: there are those who have apparently had difficulty in getting a job because of the tattoo, while others only got the tattoo on a dare and they now consider the tattoo a ludicrous reminder of their juvenile days and want to put it behind them.

There are several ways to remove unwanted tattoos now, including:

Dermabrasion - This is a process wherein the skin is "sanded", as the surgeon takes away the surface and middle layers of the tattoo embedded in the skin. A series of dressing techniques and surgical procedures help to first raise the tattoo ink that the skin has taken it, and then absorb it away from the skin.

Surgical excision - This is, for al intents and purposes, a surgical procedure. The piece of skin with the tattoo is excised and the surgeon then proceeds to stitch the wound closed. For a skilled surgeon, this method is quite preferable since they are allowed more finite control on the entire procedure, following the path of the tattoo artist’s ink as they excise the inked skin.

Laser surgery - For those who would prefer a non-invasive and bloodless procedure, laser tattoo removal is the preferred choice since it is known to have the least in terms of side effects, no loss of blood, and no cutting of the skin. The pigment colors of the tattoo is selectively removed using a high intensity laser beam, although the pigment colors may actually determine what particular type of laser is used, hence, there may be a need to have multiple treatments to completely remove any traces of the ink.

-- Rico

Tattoo Removal Recommended Resources:

Health Link - Medical College of Wisconsin

Berkeley Parents Network