Removing Tattoos

Tattoos are desirable for many reasons.  Often times it's for decorative purposes.  Other times the designs represent an important person, time or event in one's lifetime.  On the other hand there are many reasons why one would want to have the tattoo removed.  Reasons may include that the art was bad, the tattoo itself came out wrong or it is simply no longer wanted. 

Tattoos are permanent things.  The ink is injected deep into the skin, into the secondary layer of skin called the dermis.  The repeated injections deposit the ink in this part of the skin for the purpose of lasting a lifetime.  Having tattoos removed can prove to be quite an involved process.

One key to keep in mind is that some scarring is likely to occur when having a tattoo removed.  After care will be necessary as well and may include bandage changes or a suture removal.  Even with tattoo removal, some individuals will still experience some colored areas on the skin that have simply been lightened. 

Many factors influence the success rate of a tattoo removal.  The tattoo size and color have a great effect on how and if the tattoo can be completely removed.  The tattoo's location on the body also affects removal. 

There are several methods for tattoo removal.  Very small tattoos can be removed with excision.  This is the procedure when a small tattoo is simply cut away.  An incision is made, that tattoo is removed and the skin is then sutured closed. 

Larger tattoos may be removed by excision as well; however it may take several attempts to remove the entire art.  Many times, the middle portion of the tattoo is removed and allowed to heal before attempts are made to excise the outer portions.  Another technique for excising larger tattoos is to take a skin graft from another area on the body to make it possible to close the incision.

Another technique is called dermabrasion.  This method for tattoo removal involves the use of a special chemical that is applied to the tattoo.  The tattoo and skin around it are frozen, providing a local anesthetic effect.  A rough surfaced tool is then used to rub down the tattoo in the same fashion one would use sandpaper. 

Lasers have recently grown in popularity in the medical field and tattoo removal has certainly benefited from them as well.  For the purpose of removing a tattoo, the laser is used to break up the ink and coloration of the design.  Cells in the body are then able to attack and eliminate these colored cells naturally.  When lasers are used, repeat visits are often needed to continue the break down of the ink that was used.

Tattoo removal can be done with one of a variety of methods.  A physician is needed for this type of procedure.  The physician should be consulted with any concerns regarding the size of the tattoo to be removed, the coloration, the location on the body and the required after care that will be needed once it has been removed. 

A tattoo is thought of something that lasts a lifetime.  Although they can be removed with surgery, lasers or dermabrasion, some scarring is likely to be encountered.  Getting a tattoo should be seriously considered first as it will always be a permanent mark in the skin.