The body art of tattooing has been traced back to the prehistoric times. In
fact, it is believed to be as old as the human civilization itself. The methods
and techniques of making a tattoo differ from one culture to another and one
region to the next. However, the basis of all the methods is the same -
injecting colored pigments into skin, which become permanent with time. Not only
tattoo making, but tattoo removal is also an important part of the body art.
There are various reasons, because of which people want to get their tattoos
removed. While many of them get successful in the process, a few end up getting
scars also.
Many cases of tattoo removal have resulted in scars, skin diseases and wounds.
There are several factors, like size and location of the tattoo, an individual's
healing process, how the tattoo was applied and for how long the tattoo has been
on the skin, deciding the results of the removal process. Today, a number of
tattoo removal methods are available. The method that will be chosen by the
doctor will depend upon the size of the tattoo, its location as well as the
length of time it has been on the skin. Read on to get a look at the various
methods of tattoo removal, prevalent in the present times.
Tattoo Removal Methods
Laser
Laser surgery is considered to be one of the best methods of tattoo removal. In
this method, first of all, a cream or gel is applied on the skin, to make it
numb. Thereafter, laser light is targeted at the tattoo ink. As a result, the
ink breaks into tiny fragments, which are removed by the scavenger cells (immune
system) of the body, with time. However, you need to undertake the laser
treatment more than once, to be fully effective.
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy
The latest as well as one of the most popular methods of tattoo removal, today,
is Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL). It is almost like the laser therapy, the
only difference being that in IPL, instead of the laser, high intensity light is
used to break down the ink into tiny fragments. This method is believed to be
less painful than laser therapy and much more effective as well. However, the
IPL method is also quite expensive.
Surgical Excision
The excision method of tattoo removal is more useful when the tattooed area is
comparatively small. Though it is used in case of larger tattoos as well, in
that case, the entire procedure has to be carried out in a phased manner. In
this method, local anesthesia is applied to numb the tattooed area, after which
the tattoo is removed with a scalpel. The edges are then brought together and
stitched well. Excision method helps in complete elimination of tattoos and
involves minimal bleeding.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is yet another effective method of tattoo removal. This particular
method involves freezing of the tattooed part, by spraying it with a solution.
After freezing the area, an abrasive instrument is used to mechanically remove
or 'sand' the upper layers of the skin. Thereafter, the area is bandaged. The
new layer of remodeled skin, which replaces the 'sanded' skin after some time,
has a smooth and revived appearance, devoid of the tattoo.
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