For thousands of years a tattoo was an indelible skin adornment. If at some point it became faded, discolored or tiresome, there was no recourse. In recent years however, tattoo removal has become commonplace, though scarring and other skin conditions may result. When and if a tattoo no longer fits your lifestyle, invest wisely in its removal; otherwise, the scar may be more unsightly and distressing than the tattoo itself.
Considerations
The quality of a tattoo determines the most effective means of removing it. Professionally applied tattoos, for instance, tend to uniformly penetrate the skin; therefore, skin specialists can remove broader areas of inked skin at a consistent depth, with generally less scarring and trauma to the skin. By contrast, homemade tattoos often have inconsistent applications of ink at differing layers of skin, which renders their removal difficult and offers a greater chance of scarring.
As a general rule, deep blue and black ink tattoos are difficult to remove and will leave a mark, whether it be a scar or a ghost of color. Also, some professional tattoos made with newer inks and pastel colors, particularly greens and yellows, may prove difficult to remove entirely.
Laser Surgery
Least likely to involve scarring, laser surgery has become the accepted means of tattoo removal, says the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. The surgeon removes the tattoo pigments with a high-intensity laser beam. However, some inks, depending on their colors and compounds, are hard to remove, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and their hues can remain in the skin. Laser surgery is also costly and requires several repeat visits.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion, wherein the surgeon scrapes off and smooths the surface layers of skin using an electrically operated wire brush, can also be used to remove tattoos. It is less costly than laser surgery; however, scarring will result. Also, dark complexions can become permanently discolored or blotchy after dermabrasion, and any freckles around the tattoo may disappear altogether. Dermabrasion carries a risk of allergic reactions, fever blisters and cold sore flare-ups.
Surgical Excision
To remove a small tattoo, surgical excision is an option. The surgeon cuts out the tattoo and sutures the wound, leaving a small scar. Scar revision surgery--such as flap closure, which repositions a scar so that it is less obvious--will minimize its appearance. However, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a scar can never be fully erased.
Do-It-Yourself Tattoo Removal
In a word: don't. Do-it-yourself tattoo removal products are not FDA-approved. Since these products are acid-based, not only can they cause scarring but also dangerous skin reactions, including serious infections. Tattoo removal requires the expertise of a trained professional.
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