Tattoo Removal

Tattoos have traditionally been viewed as being permanent additions to a person’s skin. This means that many people have lived with the regret of getting a tattoo for many years. Fortunately, there are now a number of effective ways of removing tattoos. The method used depends a lot on the size of the tattoo, the location on the skin, and the number of years on the skin.

Excision is a popular method of removal of tattoos, particularly when the dyed area is small. The advantage of this method is that the entire tattoo can be removed completely. With larger tattoos, it might be necessary to remove the tattoo in stages. In this method, the center of the tattoo is removed first and the edges are removed later.

To remove a tattoo by excision, a local anesthetic is injected to numb the area. The tattoo is then removed surgically. The edges are brought together and stitched up. With this procedure, there is minimal bleeding. The bleeding that does occur is controlled with electrocautery. In larger tattoos, it may be necessary to graft skin from another part of the body onto the tattoo area.

Dermabrasion, which uses the same technology as wrinkle removal, is another popular method. In this method, a small portion of the tattoo is sprayed with a solution that freezes the skin and area. The tattoo is then “sanded” with a rotating abrasive instrument. This causes the skin to peel. Because some bleeding is likely to occur, a bandage or dressing is applied immediately.

A newer technology used to remove tattoos is the laser. Many physicians consider laser surgery to be one of the best methods of tattoo removal. When necessary, a cream is applied to numb the skin prior to treatment. Pulses of light from the laser are directed onto the tattoo. This breaks up the pigment. Over the next few weeks, the body’s own scavenger cells remove the pigmented areas. It is frequently necessary for a person to receive multiple treatments to remove all of the tattoo completely.

Salabrasion is a procedure that is centuries old. It is a method sometimes used today to remove tattoos although it is less common than the other methods. A local anesthetic is used on and around the tattooed area. Afterwards, a solution of ordinary tap water with table salt is applied. An abrading apparatus like one used in dermabrasion, or even a simple wooden block wrapped in gauze, is used to abrade the area. When the area becomes deep red, a dressing is applied.

Contact a Houston Medical Spa

For more information on dermabrasion and other skin treatments, contact the Houston medical spa Dermagenix at 713-662-3376.