As tattoos have gone mainstream in the United States, so has tattoo removal. Unfortunately, available procedures have often led to heavy scarring, incomplete removal, or both. Laser removal, the most common technique today, leaves some patients with no sign of the tattoo, but it leaves a shadow-like area or white spots in others, according to Dr. Suzanne Kilmer, a dermatologist in Sacramento, Calif., who also performs laser research. If you find yourself with an unwanted tattoo, it pays to research your options and find a highly competent practitioner. Otherwise, you risk more regret.
Reasons
A tattoo that suited you at one point may no longer be pleasing at a later stage in your life. Sometimes, a new romantic partner dislikes the tattoo. In certain cases, the art can prevent you from getting a job. Sometimes, the pigments fade, and the tattoo does not look as good as before. And some people develop an allergic reaction to the inks, even if the tattoo has already been in place for a few years.
Methods
Common methods of tattoo removal include dermabrasion, surgical excision and laser. Dermabrasion involves sanding the skin, which has been sprayed with a freezing agent, with a high-speed abrasive wheel or brush, according to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Excision means the doctor cuts the tattoo out with surgical instruments. Laser surgery entails obliterating the pigments with a high-energy beam.
Seeking Treatment
Dermatologists and other types of doctors can provide tattoo removal services. Depending on the state in which you live, you may also be able to have a tattoo removed by a nurse. Some centers offer both laser hair removal and laser tattoo-removal. Kilmer advises seeing a dermatologist who owns and has experience using several different lasers of varying wavelengths to safely and effectively remove the broadest range of inks.
Considerations
Not all tattoos are created equal--and they thus present different challenges when you are trying to remove them. Hardest to get rid of are black and dark blue inks. Vibrant floral and pastel colors are also tough to eradicate, according to Awesome Aesthetics Medical Spa and Laser Center in New York City. Homemade tattoos can be difficult because the amateur artist's hand was likely to be unsteady, leading to an uneven penetration of the ink. The uniformity of professionally done tattoos allows a doctor to use techniques that remove larger areas of skin at equal depth.
Time Frame
You cannot expect a tattoo to be completely after one treatment. If you choose laser treatment, between five and 15 sessions are usually necessary, according to Dr. William Kirby, a California-based specialist in tattoo removal and hair removal. After the first treatment, you may see little or no change. You must space your sessions at least six weeks apart to allow the immune system time to get rid of the inks that were broken up by the laser.
References
- American Society for Dermatologic Surgery: Tattoo removal information
- Awesome Aesthetics Medical Spa and Laser Center: Tattoo Removal
- Dr. William Kirby: Tattoo Removal Techniques
- "New York Times;" Erasing Tattoos, Out of Regret or for a New Canvas; June 17, 2007
- Dr. William Kirby: Tattoo Removal FAQs
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