If you no longer like the look of your tattoo, you may be considering a tattoo removal procedure. Surgery used to be the only way to remove a tattoo, but doctors now use lasers and other less invasive techniques to eliminate unwanted tattoos. Newer technology provides more effective tattoo removal with a reduced risk of scarring, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Laser Removal
Doctors use the light from a high-intensity laser to break up the pigments in a tattoo. During treatment, you will feel a slight stinging sensation as the laser device passes over your skin. Several treatments may be needed to completely remove the tattoo. The Cleveland Clinic reports that the tattoo should become progressively lighter with each treatment. Darker inks may respond better to laser therapy than lighter inks.
Applying ice to the treatment site can help relieve any lingering pain or stinging. Your doctor may also recommend that you use an antibiotic ointment or cream and cover the site with a bandage. There is a slight chance of scarring after treatment, and you may notice that the treated area looks lighter or darker than the surrounding skin. Some dyes are resistant to laser therapy, making complete removal impossible, and some tattoos are too deep to benefit from laser treatment, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion, a procedure used to sand off the top layers of the skin, can be useful in tattoo removal, according to CosmeticSurgery.com. Several treatment sessions may be needed depending on the size and depth of the tattoo. During the procedure, your doctor will use a motorized device with a wire brush or a diamond-tipped head to scrape off the top layers of your skin.
Pain, accompanied by burning or tingling, may occur after dermabrasion treatment. Your doctor may prescribe medication to control pain. A scab will form over the treated area as it heals. When the scab falls off, you will see tight, pink skin at the treatment site. The pinkness will fade in approximately three months, according to the American Academy of Plastic Surgeons.
Surgical Excision
If you have a small, deep tattoo that can't be removed by other methods, your doctor may recommend surgical excision of the tattoo. During surgical excision, your doctor uses a scalpel to remove the tattooed area of skin and then stitches the surrounding skin together. Applying a bandage and dressing helps keep dirt out of the site while it heals. Surgical removal of the tattoo allows for complete removal of the tattoo and doesn't leave any residual amounts of ink in the skin. The California Medical Association reports use of the affected body area may be limited while the surgical wound heals. Surgical excision of a tattoo does result in a scar.
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