People’s opinion of a tattoo can change over time, resulting in a desire to remove it.
A tattoo might seem like a good idea right now, but if your tastes change over the years, the tattoo you chose so long ago could lose its appeal. An unprofessional tattoo can also fade or fade. For those who want to get rid of a tattoo, there are several ways to remove it.
In general, experts emphasize that so far there is no way to remove a tattoo that can guarantee that your skin looks like it did before the tattoo. Experts note that the process can leave some scarring or skin discoloration. Depending on the tattoo itself and the patient’s skin, results will vary.
An option for tattoo removal could be to have it enhanced by a professional tattoo artist.
You may have seen a tattoo removed where the skin was scarred roughly in the shape of the original tattoo. The pigment in the removal area may be slightly lighter or darker than the surrounding skin. If a small tattoo is removed from an ankle, it is not very noticeable. However, a large tattoo removed from a bicep is quite remarkable. While the methods are always improving, the potential scars must be weighed against how much a person wants to get rid of the tattoo.
The basic types of tattoo removal are laser surgery, including intense pulsed light therapy (IPL), excision, and dermabrasion. All effective removal methods involve some pain, and the most effective methods can be quite expensive.
Laser surgery is probably the most common form of removal. Pulses of laser light penetrate the skin and break the tattoo pigment into small fragments. The body’s own processes begin to remove the fragmented ink, and the tattoo fades over time. IPL is a particularly effective form of laser surgery.
Different wavelengths of laser light break down different colors within the tattoo. Orange, yellow, green, and blue are supposed to be more difficult to remove than red and black. Regardless, multiple sessions are typically required, with several weeks between appointments. The goal of laser tattoo removal is to leave minimal scarring. Results will vary based on skin types, the type of tattoo removed, and the size and colors involved. A single laser session can cost anywhere from US$250 to US$1,500 or more.
Excision may be an option for smaller tattoos. In this case, the tattoo is surgically cut out and the skin on each side is sutured. To remove a larger tattoo in this way, the middle may be removed first, then the sides. A skin graft may also be an option.
Dermabrasion involves sanding the skin over the top of the tattoo. First, a chemical spray freezes the top layer of skin over the tattoo, then the dead skin is removed. Repeated sessions with healing periods in between are required. This method also leaves some scars.
The best form of removal for each person depends on many factors and should be decided by a dermatologist experienced in tattoo removal. A potential client can make an appointment to discuss their options and the likely end result so that expectations are in line with what the doctor can offer. Some clinics deduct the consultation fee from the removal fees if the client decides to proceed with the removal. Other clinics offer free consultations.
Another removal option is to redo and refine the tattoo by a professional tattoo artist. This can solve the problem if the tattoo is just smudged or amateurish. There are also tattoo artists who specialize in tattooing old tattoos with a new and completely different design. This solution is also cheaper than tattoo removal.