Tattoos are taboo to some, but seen as art by others. You may have a change of heart after getting a tattoo, especially when you are starting a new career, embarrassed by the tattoo or are the recipient of negative comments, according to the 2008 issue of Archives of Dermatology. Tattoo removal tools are available by contacting a health-care professional. In addition, there are over-the-counter creams available, but they are not a substitute for medical treatment. Consult with your health care provider to discuss any potential risks.
Laser Removal
Laser removal is one of the choices available to remove tattoos, but the cost of the treatment is high. A surgeon will selectively target the various pigments with a high-intensity laser beam that breaks the pigment into fragmented particles. Your body’s immune system will remove the particles.
According to the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery website, laser tattoo removal typically ranges between $250 and $850 and requires 1 to 10 treatments. Side effects are rare while undergoing tattoo laser removal, but have occurred and include blistering, infection, loss of skin color and scabbing.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion, or surgical skin planing, uses a technique that “sands” the skin area to remove the surface and middle layers of the tattoo, according to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery website. The surgeon will apply a local anesthetic to skin prior to using the dermatome, the sanding device that removes the layers of the skin. After the procedure, the skin area will be red, swollen and sore and will take approximately two weeks to heal. The skin might have a red appearance for up to six months after the procedure and might be lighter than the rest of your skin, according to the Medic8 website.
Surgical Excision
In surgical excision, the surgeon will numb the skin area where your tattoo is with a local anesthetic and remove the skin with a scalpel. The surgeon stitches the edges of the skin back together and covers the area with bandages. The recovery time is approximately two weeks and you might need to apply antibiotic cream during the healing process to prevent infection. According to the MayoClinic.com, the technique is highly effective in removing some tattoos and allows the excision of inked areas with precision. However, surgical excision will leave scars and is intended for small tattoos.
Tattoo Removal Cream
Tattoo removal cream is an over-the-counter option for the removal of tattoos. The cream is supposed to work by lightening or fading the tattoo with bleaching agents. Dr. Lawrence E. Gibson, a dermatologist with the Mayo Clinic, notes that tattoo removal creams are widely available, but there is no evidence that the creams work. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that tattoo removal creams offer no proven credible benefit when in removing tattoos.
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