Tattoo Removal Overview

Tattoo removal is a procedure in which the tattoo is removed from the skin of the person. There are actually several kinds of lasers that can be used for this procedure while there are also other light sources that can be utilized to remove the mark. Other more dated ways to go about losing the markings include plastic surgery and abrasion of sorts. These are said to be quite painful and are used as a last resort if laser and light procedures are not possible.

Q Switched Lasers

These are the most popular and cost efficient tattoo removal procedure. The laser basically breaks down the pigments in the ink used for the tattoos and the broken down pigments are ten dispersed into the body and eliminated accordingly. The entire erasure of the mark is not guaranteed and is not easy. This is not to say that it is pain free also, in fact, many of those who have undergone this procedure and other laser based process of removing the marking son the skin have described the pain as a burning sensation that is akin to having a sort of low flame on the skin. Scarring is highly possible and the doctors may even tell the patient to expect some form of scarring after the entire procedure is finished. The operation can reach up to several sessions, depending on how big and complicated the markings on the body are. Each session may cost around $300 to $600 with a duly certified medical team.

Light Therapy

This is a more expensive alternative to laser therapy and is also a less painful way of tattoo removal. The basic concept of both procedures is the same but instead of the painful laser that burns; an intense, pulsing light is used. Many claim that this is more effective in the sense of removing the markings. The cost is several times that of the laser procedure which is why it is not always recommended.

Abrasion

This method is not recommended unless there is a very good reason why both laser and intense light therapy do not work or is not recommended. Tattoo removal using this technique is painful and is sure to result in severe scarring. The procedure uses some form of abrasive to remove the upper layer of the skin and slowly eats away at the part of the dermis in which the ink has been deposited.

Plastic Surgery

This form requires major surgery in the sense that the tattooed area is excised and the skin is sewed back together. This is also another costly procedure and may also resort to scarring. It is not recommended for large tattoos since there may not be enough skin to remove and sew back.