How to Remove a Tattoo

Tattoos have become so popular lately, that more and more tattoo parlors are cropping up all over the country.  Tattoo shows have become hit series on television as well. There are many reasons why someone would want a tattoo but at some point in their life, they may want it removed. 

The only way to remove a tattoo is by a dermatologic surgeon.  Because most tattoos go through many layers of the skin, the surgeon uses a course of treatments to remove the tattoo with the same penetration.

Using a local anesthetic, the most current ways in which a tattoo is removed are:

·         Laser Surgery;

·         Dermabrasion

·         Surgical Excision.

The surgeon uses laser surgery to remove the tattoo by treating the inked colors on the top surface of the skin.  What this does is break down the ink which your body then absorbs. Depending upon the amount of colors initially used in creating the tattoo, many more treatments may be called for. Little by little, the colors begin to fade with each laser treatment. This is the most popular method of removing a tattoo.

Using dermabrasion, the surgeon freezes the patient's skin, and then sands the skin until the surface of the tattoo is removed. Once this procedure is done, the skin becomes raw, but within a week new skin grows back to its original color.

The surgeon may also use surgical excision to remove the tattoo with a scalpel. This procedure would require stitches.  Because this method is very effective in removing most tattoos, it also allows the surgeon to take out the inked areas with more accuracy.

As painful as it is to get a tattoo, it is even more painful to have it removed.  If you are thinking about it, do your research on tattoos.  You may find that as popular as it is for some people, it may not be right for you.