Tattoo Removal and Harmful Side Effects

When making choices on a daily basis, it's hard to determine whether or not they will eventually come back to haunt us. When choosing to get a tattoo, sometimes we eventually come to regret the decision. Fortunately, now we can do something about it. If you have a tattoo that you regret, tattoo removal may be an option for you. There are several methods of tattoo removal currently available, so it's up to you to decide which works best.

Tattoo removal has been accessible for years; however, up until recently, the only tattoo removal methods on the market were invasive procedures that left patients with unattractive scarring. However, a new method has been developed that is completely non-invasive and can visibly reduce the appearance of tattoos without leaving patients with scars.

The original methods associated with tattoo removal (which are still available today in some areas) are Excision, Dermabrasion and Salabrasion. All three are invasive procedures that can remove tattoos, but leave individuals with unsightly scars in the treatment area. Excision is the only surgical method offered for tattoo removal. Excision involves surgically removing both the epidermis and the dermis where the tattoo resides. Surgeons will basically cut out the area where the tattoo ink is and then suture the remaining edges. This method is great for those with very small tattoos because it completely removes the tattoo and only leaves a small scar. Those with larger tattoos, this method may not be the best choice.

Dermabrasion and Salabrasion are two tattoo removal procedures that are basically the same but differ slightly. Both involve the use of a rotary device that, when passed over the treatment area, abrades the skin thus removing it layer by layer. Dermabrasion involves spraying the tattoo with a freezing agent before abrasion whereas Salabrasion involves spraying the tattoo with a solution made of water and salt. Both of these methods eventually remove the tattoo, but patients can be left with large unsightly scars in the treatment area.