Tattoos have experienced a great increase in popularity in many parts of the world. For many people their tattoo can be beautiful and inspiring work of art, often a reminder of something or someone special. People choose to be tattooed for cosmetic, sentimental, memorial, and religious reasons, and to symbolize their belonging to or identification with particular groups, such as ethnic groups or gangs. It is estimated that close to 10% of the U.S. population has some sort of tattoo. Eventually, as many as 50% of them say they’ve considered having their tattoo removed.

People may regret getting tattoos for all kinds of reasons, the most common being: “I was too young when I got the tattoo,” “it’s permanent”, “I’m inked for life,” and ” I never really liked it”, or I “don’t like it anymore.” Many people get their tattoos in their late teens or early twenties. They may had been drunk or under peer pressure when getting their tattoo. Some people make the decision about getting a tattoo on the spur of the moment, without thinking about consequences of such action. Later, when their life changes, they often decide they don’t like that star on their ankle or dragon on their bicep any more. They often feel embarrassment – for example, on a new job, during significant life event (wedding, divorce, baby), or in other social situations.

While tattoos are meant to be permanent, it is possible to remove them with treatments, fully or partially. The expense and pain of removing unwanted tattoos, however, will typically be greater than the expense and pain of applying them.

So, how to remove a tattoo and what are the available tattoo removal options?

If you want to have your tattoo completely or partially removed you have several options.

• Laser Tattoo Removal
• Removal with Light Therapy through Intense Pulses (IPL)
• Chemical Peels
• Tattoo Removal Creams
• Dermabrasion (Sanding the Skin)
• Salabrasion (scrubbing the skin with salt)
• Surgical Removal (Excision, removal by cutting)

Laser Tattoo Removal

Today tattoo removal is most commonly performed using laser tattoo removal procedure. Laser surgery is the most effective tattoo removal options and has least damage to the skin. The laser beam can be selectively set up to remove tattoo pigmentation without harming the surrounding skin. The healing duration is much shorter with laser surgery except the treatment cost is very high.

Lasers react with the ink in the tattoo, and break it down. The broken-down ink is then absorbed by the body, much like the natural fading process that time or sun exposure would create. All tattoo inks have specific light absorption spectra. A tattoo laser must be capable of emitting adequate energy within the given absorption spectrum of the pigment in order to provide an effective treatment. Certain tattoo inks colors, such as yellows, greens and fluorescent pigments are more difficult to remove than the darker blacks and blues. This is because their absorption spectra fall outside or on the edge of the emission spectra available in the respective tattoo removal laser. Black is the easiest color to remove.

Laser tattoo removal requires several repeated sessions to remove even a small tattoo, and may result in permanent scarring. Areas with thin skin will be more likely to scar than thicker-skinned areas. A new brand of ink, called InfinitInk, has been created that possible to remove a tattoo just one laser treatment session. The newer Q-switched lasers are effective at removing different ranges of the color spectrum. They can effectively remove black, dark blue, purple and red tattoo ink. Other new lasers – RevLite and MedLite – have an ability to remove even broader range of tattoo pigments so – in addition to black, dark blue, purple, and red – they can treat sky blue and green pigment, which are typically the hardest colors to get rid of.

The healing process is much shorter with laser treatment than with other methods, however the cost is very high. Depending on the area of the body treated and skin color, up to 8-12 may be necessary to remove the tattoo. At $200-$500 per session, this makes the laser treatment very expensive. The procedure is not covered by insurance, so a tattoo that may have only cost a couple hundred dollars to get, may cost a fortune to remove.

Laser Tattoo Removal Before and After Photos

Tattoo Removal Using Dermabrasion and Salabrasion

Dermabrasion (or microdermabrasion) is a mechanical procedure in which a hand-held machine with a rotating metal wheel, diamond fraise or a wire brush is used to remove the layers of the skin that hold the tattoo pigments. The body will replace the injured skin surface with new and healthy cells. Some dermabrasion instruments are in the form of polishing wheels to “sand off” the tattoo skin layers. The pain during this procedure is within bearable limits, but it can be performed using a general or local anesthetic, depending on area.

Similar to dermabrasion, is salabrasion. This is the oldest method of tattoo removal. The tattoo is removed by scraping the tattooed area vigorously with salt water and a sanding device. The treated area is numbed with ice or a local anesthetic and it usually requires multiple sessions. This method is painful and often leaves a scar.

Tattoo Removal Using Chemical Peels

In this procedure, a chemical solution and sometimes acid is used to scrape away the outer skin layers until the dermal layer with tattoo pigmentation is reached.

Tattoo Removal Creams

There are also tattoo removing creams on the market which are not proven to work. If you want a painless removal, you can give it a try. However, keep in mind that they are not as effective as other procedures. At best, tattoo removal cream may fade or lighten tattoo. The cream causes the pigment to gradually break down over time and the tattoo fades away. There is no guarantee that the tattoo will completely disappear, after all, tattoos are meant to be permanent. One of the up side of using tattoo removal cream is that it makes the tattoo removal process painless, and there will be no scarring. It takes several months for the tattoo to disappear.

They are thought to assist with sloughing off skin cells and thus the tattoo layer by layer, which usually takes a long time and still may not reach the depths of the tattoo ink.

Tattoo Removal using Freezing (Cryosurgery) Method

Removing a tattoo with cryosurgery involves application of extreme cold to tattooed area of the skin. A localized frostbite is created at tattoo areas with liquid nitrogen spray. The frostbite with tattoo pigmentation will peel off in the next 3 to 4 weeks after the treatment. Scars may develop with this method.

Surgical Tattoo Removal (Excision Surgery)

Surgical tattoo (excision surgery) removal may be a suitable option, but only if your tattoo is small. For large tattoos, several treatments are usually required together with a skin graft to cover up the skin. Excision involves a local anesthetic to numb the tattoo areas, and skin layers with tattoo pigments are cut out of the skin. This method leaves a scar behind.

Tattoo Cover Up

After looking at all of the options, some people decide to keep the tattoo, or even add to it, in order to change whatever they didn’t like about it in the first place. Covering an unwanted tattoo with a new tattoo is commonly known as a cover-up. Whether your tattoo cover up is a success or not, depends highly on your tattoo artist and the tattoo itself. A skillfully done cover-up may render the old tattoo completely invisible, although this will depend on the size, style, ink colors and techniques used on the old tattoo. Some shops and artists use laser removal machines to break down and lighten undesired tattoos to make coverage with a new tattoo easier. Since tattoo ink is translucent, covering up a previous tattoo necessitates darker tones in the new tattoo to effectively hide the older, unwanted piece.

Tattoo Removal Cost

The costs of tattoo removal depends mainly upon the type of procedure. Unfortunately, in any case, the price of having a tattoo removed is a lot more than the price of getting the tattoo. Prices can vary depending upon the size of the tattoo and its colors. For laser removal, according to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, treatment varies from $100 for a small, single-color tattoo with removal in one to two sessions to $500 per treatment to remove larger, multicolored body art in as many as eight visits. Costs also vary depending on whether anesthesia is used or not, the geographic location of the procedure, and other associated costs.

Questions You Should Ask Your Surgeon About Tattoo Removal

To gain a more thorough understanding about tattoo removal, and help form realistic expectations, it is recommended that the patient view before and after photographs of the surgeon’s previous patients and speak with them. It is also important for patients to ask questions about anything they do not understand about the procedure. Here are some recommended questions:

1. Are my expectations for tattoo removal realistic?
2. What technique is most appropriate in my situation to achieve the expected results?
3. What is the cost of tattoo removal and what elements should I factor into that cost like hospital fees, anesthesia, and so on?
4. What is the surgeon’s level of experience in performing tattoo removal procedure?
5. What kind of anesthesia will be used during the treatment?
6. What are the risks of tattoo removal procedure?
7. What percentage of patients experience complications with tattoo removal?
8. Where will the tattoo removal be performed?
9. How many sessions will be necessary and how long will each session take?
10. What is the surgeon’s policy about correcting or repeating the procedure if the first tattoo removal operation does not provide agreed upon results?
11. What should I expect, after the surgery as far as pain, soreness, scaring, etc.?
12. Have you ever had your malpractice insurance coverage denied, revoked or suspended?

In Conclusion

Today laser therapy has replaced most other treatment options and most tattoo removal specialists utilize laser technology as the sole tattoo removal treatment option. Other methods of tattoo removal are  ineffective at permanent removal and/or may result in a greater risk of scarring. These methods may result in more damage to the skin and excess scarring. These techniques are usually used when laser is not an option.

Regardless of which type of tattoo removal method you may think will work best for you, consult your doctor before making the final decision. Because each tattoo is unique, removal techniques must be tailored to suit each individual case. Ask for a free consultation and have all your questions answered. Also, the provider removing your tattoo should examine your tattoo and make sure you are a good candidate for the procedure.

Read more about various tattoo removal options on my blog.

Getting body art has become a commonplace in the American culture. Some people really enjoy their tattoos and want to keep them for life, whereas others might regret that they acted on impulse and didn’t think enough about it before they got one. There are many reasons why you may want to remove your tattoo.

Having body art can often become a source of frustration or embarrassment, depending on your changing life situation. Perhaps you’ve had a girlfriend’s name tattooed across your chest, only to find out that she’s cheating on you. Maybe you’ve gotten a new job that requires you to look professional and the body art that extends past your shirt sleeves may not be acceptable. Or your tattoo related to a group that you are no longer a member of. Whatever your reason, while tattoos are considered permanent, it is usually possible to remove them with various treatments, fully or partially.

While there are many tattoo removal options at various prices available today, the most common and effective procedure is using laser technology.

In general, older tattoos can be removed more quickly than new tattoos. This is because the ink has already faded from exposure to the sun and as the result of the body breaking down some of the ink. Color of the ink plays a role, too. Black tattoo pigment is the easiest to remove, as it absorbs all laser wavelengths. Other ink colors can only be treated by selected lasers depending upon the pigment color. So, removing a black tattoo is going to be easier than removing a light green or blue-green tattoo; removing red ink will be easier than orange ink. This is primarily because the wavelengths of light that are used to break up the ink in a tattoo focus in on certain colors better than others. Also, removing a tattoo that is filled with shading will be easier than removing a tattoo that is filled in completely with think, rich ink.

Even patients with previously treated tattoos may also benefit from laser therapy. Tattoos that have not been effectively removed by other methods may respond well to laser treatment provided the prior methods did not result in excessive scarring.

How Laser Tattoo Removal Works

Laser tattoo removal is a procedure that is done in an outpatient facility by a dermatologist. When a tattoo is applied, the ink is injected into the upper layers of the skin, where it bonds with the skin molecules. Laser tattoo removal involves using the laser heat to erase these molecules. The laser light works in conjunction with the heat to break down the ink in the tattoo, and incite the production of new, clear skin tissue where the tattoo once was. The broken-down ink is then absorbed by the body, mimicking the natural fading that time or sun exposure would create.

All tattoo ink pigments have specific light absorption spectra. A tattoo laser must be capable of emitting adequate energy within the given absorption spectrum of the pigment in order to provide an effective treatment. Certain tattoo pigments, such as yellows, greens and fluorescent inks are more challenging to treat than the darker blacks and blues. These pigments are more challenging to treat because they have absorption spectra that fall outside or on the edge of the emission spectra available in the respective tattoo removal laser.

Laser tattoo removal requires several repeated sessions to remove even a small tattoo, and may result in permanent scarring. Areas with thin skin will be more likely to scar than thicker-skinned areas. A new brand of ink, called InfinitInk, was developed that allows for easier tattoo removal with a single laser treatment. The newer Q-switched lasers are said by the National Institute of Health to result in scarring only rarely, and are usually used with a topical anesthetic. There are several types of Q-switched lasers, and each is effective at removing a different range of the color spectrum. They can effectively remove black, dark blue, purple and red tattoo ink. New lasers – RevLite and MedLite lasers have an enhanced ability to treat a much broader range of tattoo pigments than than standard Q-switched lasers. In addition to black, dark blue, purple, and red; they can remove sky blue and green pigment, which are typically the hardest colors to get rid of.

If treating a tattoo with multiple colors, it is important to note that there are three types of lasers used today and each laser works best on certain colors. One laser is most effective at removing red and orange colors, while another is best with green. Finding a tattoo removal clinic in your area that offers treatment with all three lasers may be the best option for you if your tattoo is very large and colorful.

Laser tattoo removal has to be done gradually, otherwise there is a significant chance that the tattooed area can become scarred. Several sessions are necessary over a period of a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the size and coloration (darker takes longer) of the tattoo. After each removal session, the area being treated will be bandaged, and the patient will be given care instructions.

The healing process is much shorter with laser treatment than with other methods, however the cost is very high.

Complete laser tattoo removal requires as many as 8 to 12 treatments, typically spaced at least 8 weeks apart. At each session, some but not all of the tattoo pigment particles are effectively fragmented, and the body removes the smallest fragments over the course of several weeks. The result is that the tattoo is lightened. Remaining large particles of tattoo pigment are then targeted at subsequent treatment sessions, causing further lightening. The number of sessions and spacing between treatments depends on various parameters, including the area of the body treated and skin color. Forearm and ankle tattoos generally take longest.

Most patients are treated without any pain medication. However, depending on the location of the tattoo and the pain threshold for the patient, the physician may choose to use some form of anesthesia, for example, a topical anesthesia cream, or painkiller injections at the site of the procedure.

Does Laser Tattoo Removal Have any Side Effects?

Laser tattoo removal is generally accepted as a safe treatment, however, rare complications of laser tattoo removal include burning of the skin, discoloring dark skin with the laser, hypopigmentation (white spots, more common in darker skin), hyperpigmentation (dark spots), and changes in skin texture. Severe burns may sometimes result in scarring.

Some of the inks used, especially Yellow #7, are known to break down into toxic chemicals in the body when treated with light. This is especially a concern if these tattoos are exposed to UV light or laser removal; the resulting chemical products end up migrating to the kidneys and liver. Laser removal of natural tattoos (also known as traumatic tattoos, that result from injuries, especially asphalt from road injuries) may similarly be complicated depending on the substance of the pigmenting material.

A Typical Laser Tattoo Removal Session: What to expect?

In general, this is what will happen during an office visit for tattoo removal using the newer lasers:

• Protective eye shields will placed on your eyes.
• The skin’s reaction to the laser will be tested fist to determine the most effective energy for treatment.
• The treatment itself consists of placing a hand piece against the surface of the skin and activating the laser light. Each pulse feels a lot like the snapping of a rubber band against the skin.
• Smaller tattoos require fewer pulses while larger ones require more. Regardless of the size, each tattoo requires several treatments and multiple visits. After each visit, your tattoo will become progressively lighter.
• After each laser treatment, ice is immediately placed on the tattoo to minimize swelling.
• After about 30 minutes, a topical antibiotic ointment is placed on the tattoo followed by a sterile dressing. The skin site should be left dry for a few days and should be cared for like sunburned skin..
• You will be instructed to use a sun block when out in the sun.

It is important to have realistic expectations and be are aware that laser tattoo removal does not guarantee complete removal of a  tattoo.

Laser Tattoo Removal Cost

What most often influences the cost of tattoo removal is the size and complexity of the tattoo. Depending on the area of the body treated and skin color, up to 8-12 may be necessary to remove the tattoo. At $200-$500 per session, this makes the laser treatment expensive, compared to some other tattoo removal options.

The cost is generally not covered by health insurance as it is considered an elective and cosmetic procedure. It is important to consult with a laser tattoo removal specialist to get an idea of what financial commitment tattoo removal will be. Keep in mind that although the procedure may be costly, it is the most effective tattoo removal method available right now. Other methods (such as various tattoo removal creams) may be cheaper but they may not offer the desired results.

How Do I Find a Reputable Doctor to Perform Laser Tattoo Removal?

When choosing dermatologist or cosmetic surgery center make sure you find a reputable facility to ensure proper treatment and care. If possible, ask for a recommendation from your family physician for a dermatologist or skin surgery center that specializes in tattoo removal.

Laser Tattoo Removal Before and After Photos

Learn more about tattoo removal on Tattoo Removal blog and read my post about various tattoo removal options and prices.