Getting a Tattoo Removed

At the time, getting a tattoo of your favorite rock band or girlfriend seemed like the best idea in the world. Here you are, fifteen years later and your love for KISS and ex-girlfriend Julie have long been out of the picture. Your only option is to wear cover up make up, or have that bad boy zapped right off of your skin. Most people with tattoos are ignorant of the removal process and immediately discredit it as one of their options. However, the process is not that complicated and can provide you with emotional relief from the embarrassment you've had on your skin for years.

Most dermatologic surgeons say that complete tattoo removal is not possible. Basically, tattoos are scars with ink. Once the ink is removed, the scar tissue remains. The degree of remaining color blemishes depends upon factors such as size, location, how long it's been in place, and the pigment of your skin. Newer tattoos are typically harder to remove than older ones. Few tattoos can be completely removed, and having said that there are a few methods for removal.

Before lasers became popular, surgeons used methods such as excision, where the surgeon removes the tattoo with a scalpel and closes the wound with stitches. I think you can imagine the scarring this leaves on your body. Another method was dermabrasion, where skin is sanded to remove the middle and surface layers.

That's where lasers come into the picture. Lasers have become the standard and preferred treatment for tattoo removal because they are bloodless and reduce other risks. Each procedure is done in a series of visits or a single session. Most lasers run a low risk of scarring which is great news for those wanting the removal done. The type of laser used depends upon the tattoo's pigment. Yellow and green are the hardest to remove while black and blue are the easiest.

The laser process works by producing short pulses of light that pass through the top layers of skin and absorb the tattoo pigment. This energy breaks down the pigment into smaller particles, which are then removed by the body's immune system. Surgeons determine which wavelengths of light to use and how to best remove the ink. The laser does not remove normal skin pigment.

Unfortunately, just like getting a tattoo, removing a tattoo can be uncomfortable. The pulse of energy from the laser has been often described as getting hit with grease off a pan or being smacked with a rubber band. In preparation for the procedure, doctors recommend non-aspirin products like Tylenol for aching.

Each treatment usually lasts five minutes, but you need to go in for several sessions in order to remove all ink pigment. The number of sessions depends on the size of the tattoo and type of ink that was used. Three week intervals between each session are required to allow the pigment residue to be absorbed by the immune system.

I'm sure you're wondering about the cost of getting a tattoo removed. It's just another reason to think about getting a tattoo in the first place because the removal process is even more expensive than getting it put on. It can range from several hundred dollars to thousand of dollars depending on size, location, and number of sessions needed to remove it entirely. As I mentioned in another article about tattooing, most health insurance policies do not cover the surgery, therefore you're left paying 100% of the cost and reaching into you pocket again. Most tattoo shops have a list of preferred doctors to use in case you want it removed down the road.

The tattoo removal process is not a fun one, but can be completely worth it once you've gotten the tattoo off of your skin. Some people find it hard to get employment because of a tattoo, or even to get respect from strangers. So taking the time, the pain, and the financial burden could be wise investment.