YouGov conducted a survey which found that approximately one in three adults in the United Kingdom have tattoos today. Some of these men and women may find they want to have one or more tattoos removed. There are several reasons they come to this decision.
An individual may have another person’s name tattooed on their body and now wish to have it removed. For some, the decision is out of their hands. If they want a job in their chosen field, they may find tattoos are frowned upon.
They need to have the tattoos removed if they wish to move up the ladder. These are only two of several reasons cited for looking into tattoo removal. What options do you have when regretting your tattoo?
Understanding the Composition of a Tattoo
Artists create tattoos by injecting ink into the skin, and the particles of ink remain suspended in the skin. A person’s immune system normally removes foreign particles from the body. However, it cannot do so with tattoos because the ink particles are too big. Other methods must be used to achieve this goal.
Laser Tattoo Removal
Most people today turn to laser tattoo removal when they want body art removed. The laser breaks the ink particles into smaller pieces, so the immune system can remove them. Highly concentrated light waves from the laser heat the ink particles.
The high heat leads to the particles fragmenting.
However, a person must undergo several sessions with the laser before the tattoo will be removed.
A person can expect to need anywhere from one to ten sessions. The colors of the tattoo play a role in the number of sessions needed, and a person must wait six weeks between sessions. This allows the skin to heal and the body to absorb any ink that has fragmented.
Individuals who have undergone the procedure say it is painful.
They equate it to being snapped repeatedly by a heavy rubber band. Numbing medications help to keep the pain down. This procedure leaves an open wound that must be cared for. It requires regular cleaning with soap and water, antibiotic ointments, and dressings.
The healing time is typically five days.
Dermabrasion Tattoo Removal
Dermabrasion removes the tattoo with the help of a specialty grinding tool. The operator removes the outer layers of the skin that contain the tattoo ink particles. This process is painful and a person will need anesthesia. The anesthesia may be local, regional, or general.
This process leads to an open wound, and a person must care for the wound much as they do one caused by laser tattoo removal. The healing process with this method is usually ten to 14 days, and several sessions may be needed to remove the ink.
Significant scarring is a concern when this removal option is selected.
Chemical Peels
Some people choose a chemical peel to remove their tattoos. When applied to the tattoo, the mild acid removes the outer layers of the skin, and the tattoo ink comes with it. The procedure is slightly painful, but most people don’t need any anesthesia.
As with the other tattoo removal methods, this process leaves behind an open wound. Follow the same steps as with the other tattoo removal techniques, and the wound should heal within a week.
Surgical Excision
One option that isn’t regularly used is direct surgical excision. The doctor removes any skin that contains tattoo ink, so most people only request this method for small tattoos. Once the ink is removed, the surgeon brings the surrounding skin together and closes it.
Anesthesia is needed for this procedure, and there will be a surgical scar.
The wound must remain covered for 48 hours. After this period, it needs to be cleaned daily with soap and water. The doctor might also recommend keeping the wound covered for a week.
The skin must have time to heal following the removal of a tattoo. Side effects such as swelling and bruising are common and disappear within a week. Speak to a doctor to learn more about each option. For most, laser removal is the best choice, but that is not the case with all.
However, all tattoos can be removed with the help of a physician, so reach out today for more information.