Tattoo Removal

We do not really know when tattoos started appearing. What we do know is that we are talking about something that appeared thousands of years ago, ever since Egyptian mummies. A tattoo is done by injecting pigment that is colored into deep holes in your skin. No matter where and how you do the tattoos, the designs obtained are almost permanent. The good news is that plastic surgeons can remove tattoos. In fact, there are different methods that can be used. The only real problem is that you need to expect color variations and scarring. We have different factors that will influence this conspicuousness. Examples can be given in location, size, the healing rate you show, the method used to do the tattoo and length of exposure (basically meaning how much time it stayed on your skin). You should know that a tattoo that is done by a professional artist will be much easier to eliminate. This is because the pigment used was injected evenly at the same skin depth level.

Now let us take a look at the most common tattoo removal techniques used. You need to understand that the chosen method will depend on the location, size and time the tattoo was on your skin. Your personal healing rate will also be taken into consideration.

If the size of the tattoo is small, in most cases excision is used. The tattoo will be completely removed. If you have a larger one then there will be a need for excision done in stages. The doctor will first remove the center and then the rest, all at a later point in time so that the impact on your skin will not be too high. You need to understand that if the tattoo is too large, the use of skin graft is necessary.

Another tattoo removal technique is dermabrasion. What is interesting with this method is that a part of your tattoo will be sprayed with a special solution. The result will be a frozen area, which is then removed through an abrasive instrument. Your skin will basically peel. Keep in mind that bleeding can appear and in this case the doctor will put on a dressing to the affected area.

One of the most advertised tattoo removal techniques is done with the use of laser surgery. Specialists consider it the best way to remove a tattoo. Different lasers can be used but all of them will require a special cream to be applied on the skin in order to numb the area. Light pulses are directed towards the tattoo. The tattoo pigment is broke off and in the following weeks your body will simply start to remove cells. In order to completely remove one tattoo you will need to undergo more than one laser surgery treatment session.

The last method of tattoo removal that should be mentioned is actually the oldest one. It is still used today even if it first appeared hundreds of years ago. The doctor will utilize local anesthetic on the tattoo area and then put on a solution of water and table salt. By using an apparatus of abrading (much like the one utilized with dermabrasion) the area will be abraded. When the region becomes red, the doctor will apply a dressing.

You might now ask yourself what results to expect. The truth is that no matter what method will be used, there will be color variations and scars noticed. There are many factors influencing the damage that remains. What is really important is to talk with the physician about what you should expect. The area that is treated needs to be taken care of and you will receive special instructions that have to be respected in order to have the best healing possible.