If you are considering removing a tattoo from your skin, several options are available. While the expensive cost of some tattoo removal methods may deter you from pursuing those options, the cost-effective options may not produce optimal results. A certified medical professional performing the tattoo removal will result in the least amount of risks and side effects. Consider all of the options for tattoo removal, and your own health and safety before deciding which tattoo removal fits your needs.
Laser Removal
Laser removal involves a laser breaking up the pigment in a tattoo for the body to absorb and remove. If your tattoo has black or blue ink, the chance of the tattoo disappearing from the skin completely is greater. Bright colors are the hardest to remove with laser removal, as well as professionally performed new tattoos.
The size of the tattoo, placement and your skin color are determining factors in how quickly or completely the tattoo will remove with laser treatment. An optimal candidate for laser tattoo removal has fair skin, a light tattoo performed by non-professional on a part of the body containing body fat. If your tattoo is a part of the body with taut skin over bone, such as the collarbone, laser removal will take more sessions than if your tattoo were on your thigh.
Excision
Excision is a method of tattoo removal that is optimal for small tattoos that cannot be removed by a laser. The process of excision includes surgically removing the tattoo from the skin. A surgeon cuts out the skin with the pigment of the tattoo and sews the non-tattooed skin back together. Large tattoos require an additional step, involving a skin graft from another location on your body. A permanent scar remains on the skin after the excision surgery. Because of the permanent scar, you may choose to avoid an excision procedure, for the scar may be more noticeable than the original tattoo.
Dermabrasion
Removing a tattoo with the process of dermabrasion is a more cost effective option than laser or excision. The professional performing the dermabrasion uses a tool, similar to a dremel with sandpaper, to scrape off the layers of skin above and containing the tattoo. If the dermabrasion procedure is successful, the tattoo is no longer present in the skin once healed after the procedure. The side effects and risks of dermabrasion are higher than other professional tattoo removal options. The side effects of dermabrasion include the loss of pigmentation in the skin and scarring, for dermabrasion is the most traumatic of professional tattoo removal methods to your skin.
TCA Removal
Bottles of Trichloro Acetic Acid are available online for purchase for attempting tattoo removal at home. Applying TCA, also known as a chemical peel, to your tattoo can have disastrous results. If the percentage of the TCA is too high, you can suffer severe burns, scarring and skin loss. While your skin is healing from a TCA application, the skin peels off to reveal new skin. Because the peel does not reach the depth in your skin where a tattoo is usually located, TCA is not an option that works well to remove your tattoo. Avoid applying an acid to your skin at home and only allow a professional to remove your tattoo to reduce the risk of irreversible trauma and scarring to your skin.
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