Salabrasion is an old method of tattoo removal. It entails scrubbing the tattoo with a salt solution for several minutes at a time. This method can remove a significant amount of tattoo ink from your skin. However, it can also produce scarring and uneven pigmentation in the affected skin. For instance, skin has been reported to look like "tanned leather" after salabrasion. Therefore, this is not a method you want to use to remove a tattoo from an area where you still want the skin to look normal and healthy.
Step 1
Shave the tattooed area, then wash it thoroughly with antibacterial soap.
Step 2
Moisten a gauze sponge so that it's wet all the way through, but not dripping. Dip all sides of it into pure table salt. Some of the salt may dissolve into the water in the sponge. Dip the sponge again until it stops dissolving.
Step 3
Rub the tattoo vigorously with the sponge until the skin in the area appears blood red. This will normally take 30 to 40 minutes. Then allow the reddened area to dry.
Step 4
Cover the reddened area with antibiotic ointment and a sterile bandage. Most sterile bandages are self-adhesive. If a sterile bandage does not adequately cover the treated area, you can wrap it with sterile gauze and secure the gauze in place with first aid tape. Leave this dressing in place for three days.
Tips and Warnings
- For extra protection against infection, you can ask your doctor for a prescription for an antibacterial sudsing emulsion, such as Phisohex. Such emulsions have stronger antibacterial properties than over-the-counter soaps.
- You risk infection by performing this procedure at home. Consult your doctor if the pain increases or if the treated area becomes redder after three days.
Things You'll Need
- Shaving razor
- Antibacterial soap
- Gauze sponge
- Table salt
- Antibiotic ointment
- Sterile bandage
- Sterile gauze
- First aid tape
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