What Tattoo Removal Procedures Look Like?

Decisions that we haven’t thought through sometimes cause lots of trouble. For example, a tattoo that you want to remove for various reasons. No worries. Aesthetic medicine is making advances so rapidly that you can get rid of the most complicated designs. Check the most widely-used methods giving best results and find out if they’re painful.

best-tattoo-removal-methods.jpgWhat laser tattoo removal looks like

Surgical intervention used to be the only way to remove tattoos. Now, the unwanted remembrance is removed with a laser. The procedure involves treating the skin surface with the light impulses to break the pigment. Then, the pigment molecules are removed by the immune system. The success depends on the type of skin, the color and size of a tattoo, the density of the pigment and the location of the tattoo in the skin.

Laser tattoo removal isn’t painful; you might only get the feeling of smarting. That’s why the laser-treated area is cooled down with cold air, gels or specially-designed devices. This type of tattoo removal is safe and gives splendid results. You just need to remember about the proper hygiene and care of the treated skin fragment. Otherwise, scars and pigmentation spots are likely to appear. In the worst cases – bacterial infections and allergic reactions.

The time the laser procedure takes to remove the tattoo depends on the size of the unwanted decoration, the type of the pigment, the number of colors used for the tattoo, the skin color, individual predispositions and the way the immune system works. A full removal of the tattoo is possible after a series of treatments.

Are there any contraindications? Laser tattoo removal shouldn’t be chosen by people who suffer from the connective tissue disorders, have a dark photo-type and proneness to hypertrophic scars. A large area of a tattoo can prevent the full removal. Pregnancy, nursing and fresh suntan are contraindications, too. After the procedure, you can’t sunbathe or use sunbeds.

Tattoo Removal – other methods

  • Surgical method. It is used when laser removal fails to deliver desired results. Unfortunately, it can leave you with unsightly, vast scars. That’s why surgical method is used for removing small tattoos which entail small scars treatable with laser therapy. To make things worse, bacterial infections, swelling and pain are likely to occur after the surgery.
  • Mechanical dermabrasion. It is best for removing surficial skin layers together with the pigment using the abrasive tool. Too bad, dermabrasion doesn’t give 100% effects because it is unable to get to the pigment located deep inside the skin.
  • Salabrasion. During the treatment, you use sodium chloride, or table salt. It isn’t effective and leaves scars and discoloration.
  • Chemical peel. During the procedure, exfoliating acids (Glycolic, AHA, TCA) are applied to skin. Sadly, the treatment entails the risk of scars, especially if the pigment is located deep inside the skin.
  • Cover up. The technique involves making a new tattoo to cover the unwanted one. To perform it, dark pigment or bright colors are used.
  • Electrocoagulation. The procedure involves using high-frequency currents which destroy pigment-containing tissue. Due to the pain during the electrocoagulation, the topical anesthesia is necessary. After the procedure, you can experience some swelling and redness. Diabetes is one of the contraindications. For best effects, you need a series of five treatments repeated once a month.
  • Tattoo removal cream. The product is applied under skin with a special syringe. The cream contains salicylic acid which softens the pigment. This method is very safe as it leaves no scars or pigmentation spots; moreover, it shows really good results.

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