Options for Tattoo Removal

Do you have a tattoo that you are sick and tired of? If so, you should know there are numerous ways you can remove it. Tattoo removal has been around for awhile, but thanks to modern technology is easier and more effective than ever.

In this article we'll discuss several methods of tattoo removal including laser removal, surgical removal, salabrasion, skin peels and injections.We do not recommend one particular course of action in this article. Rather, this article should be used as a starting point before talking to your doctor. Your doctor, dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon can tell you what he or she thinks is the best form of tattoo removal for you.

Laser tattoo removal is perhaps the most popular type of tattoo removal. It is also quite expensive and time consuming. You will need to go for multiple treatments before the tattoo will be gone. Sometimes, you cannot get rid of every last trace of a tattoo. Each laser tattoo removal treatment is going to cost you several hundred dollars each, with some people needing as many as five or more treatments to totally get rid of their tattoo. Some people require less laser treatments. It all depends on how your skin reacts and the density of your tattoo.

Surgical removal means just that. The tattoo is cut out of the skin by a surgeon and a skin graft is usually used to replace the skin. This form of removal is quite painful and drastic but is the only option for some people. Salabrasion is a lesser known form of tattoo removal that has been all but replaced by laser tattoo removal. With salabrasion, a salt water solution is scrubbed into the skin until the tattoo scabs over. Eventually, the salt water will eat away at the ink which will be washed away by the body. This is a painful method and may leave scarring. However many dermatologists will numb the area before doing the salabrasion treatment.

Skin peels such as TCA and glycolic peels can also be used to lighten a tattoo. Sometimes, you can actually remove a tattoo using these methods. If the tattoo is light, you have a better chance. If the tattoo is dark, a skin peel may not do much good. If used incorrectly, chemical peels can cause permanent discoloration and scarring of the skin. This is why they should only be applied by a qualified dermatologist.

Then there are injection treatments, or more accurately, tattoo treatments. A saline type solution is applied under the skin using the same procedure that was used to apply the tattoo. The solution works by dissolving the ink. It may be necessary to get more than one treatment. These treatments are often able to be obtained at tattoo parlors. Another option are the tattoo removal creams like Tat B Gone and Dermasal. These creams claim to fade a tattoo painlessly over time. Before using any kind of home product, speak to your dermatologist first to ensure it is safe.