Tattoo Removal - An Overview

What Is Tattoo Removal?

• Tattoos improve beauty, show individuality, denote belonging, and even stigmatize or punish people.

• More people are getting tattoos, and more people are also getting them removed.

• Tattoo removal is not as simple as it may seem. Risks include the possibility of infection and scarring, which can be uncomfortable.

• But laser surgery can be secure and efficient when performed by a certified dermatologist.

• A Q-switched laser device is used in the non-invasive laser tattoo removal method to break down the pigment hues of an undesirable tattoo with the least amount of tissue damage possible.

• Numerous laser treatments are frequently necessary for laser tattoo removal.

• A less popular, high-risk alternative is tattoo removal surgery, which removes the tattoo in a single treatment but leaves some scarring.

Why Is Tattoo Removal Done?

Tattoo removal may be the best option if individuals have an undesirable tattoo that makes them feel self-conscious or if they are dissatisfied with changes in the tattoo brought on by the aging process of the skin.

Some advantages of tattoo removal are listed below:

• Removal of undesirable tattoos.

• Receive long-lasting effects with few side effects.

• Boost your confidence and self-image.

Things to Consider Before Getting a Tattoo Removal?

• Tattoo ink is difficult to remove since it is buried beneath the top layer of skin, requiring numerous laser treatments or, in some circumstances, surgical removal.

• Scarring and modifications to skin's color or texture are possible.

• Immediately after the procedure, the treatment area will likely have a slightly raised, white discoloration or sometimes occasionally accompanied by pinpoint hemorrhage.

• Laser tattoo removal requires little or no recovery time.

• Surgical tattoo removal requires incision; hence proper follow-up and medical advice are necessary.

What Are the Different Types of Tattoo Removal Procedures?

A plastic surgeon generally performs tattoo removal procedures, and there are different types of tattoo removal procedures.

These include,

• Non-surgical tattoo removal.

• Surgical tattoo removal.

What Are The Non-Surgical Tattoo Removal Methods?

Laser Tattoo Removal:

• This procedure is the most commonly used in tattoo removal.

• For non-invasive tattoo removal, Q-switched laser therapy is now the favored technique.

• For treating various tattoo hues, different lasers work better.

• Plastic surgeons will select the best action after carefully examining your tattoo.

Factors impacting laser tattoo removal include:

• Color of skin and tattoos.

• The type of tattoo and its age.

• Ink quantity and depth color, frequency, pulse width, spot size, and fluence of laser light.

• The temperature of the skin.

Procedure:

• The procedure is performed in the surgeon's office.

• A protective eye shield is given to the patient to protect the eyes.

• The surgeon will evaluate the skin's reaction to the laser and adjust the frequency.

• The surgeon presses the handpiece against the top of your skin.

• The tattoo absorbs the incredibly brief laser pulse produced by the laser technology, which causes the ink particles to disintegrate with little harm to the surrounding tissue.

• The body's immune system will naturally eliminate the subsequent by-products as part of the healing process.

• Larger tattoos need more pulses, while smaller tattoos need fewer.

• For best outcomes, patients probably require numerous therapy sessions.

• Depending on the specific nature of the condition, the number of treatments may vary.

Dermabrasion Tattoo Removal:

• This procedure involves the removal of the upper layers of skin in a precise way with the help of a medical grinding tool.

• In this procedure, the skin containing the ink particles is removed, leading to the removal of the tattoo.

• This procedure is usually performed under local or regional anesthesia as it is painful.

• After the process, dressing is given as there will be an open wound.

• It should be properly cleaned, and antibiotic ointment should be applied as prescribed by the doctor.

• Wounds take a minimum of 10 to 15 days to heal when compared to laser treatment.

• Dermabrasion can cause significant scarring and should be performed by experienced plastic surgeons.

Chemical Peel Tattoo Removal:

• Trichloroacetic acid peels (TCA) are used to remove the tattoos in this procedure.

• These are usually applied on the skin and are mildly painful.

• They do not require any anesthesia and result in an open wound which requires proper wound care.

• They typically take five to seven days to heal.

How Is the Surgical Tattoo Removal Done?

• The surgeon will evaluate the patient's complete medical history and medications.

• Once the medical examination is done, the surgeon will evaluate the tattoo color, the tattoo's age, and the patient's expectations.

• Darker and single-color tattoos are comparatively easier to remove than lighter-colored and multi-colored tattoos.

• Once the evaluation is done, the surgeon will suggest the best possible treatment.

Procedure:

• In this procedure, the complete excision of the skin is done.

• This method may not work well for huge tattoos and is more effective for smaller tattoos. The surrounding skin is then pulled together and stitched.

• Sometimes a skin graft may be required to close the wound.

• Depending on the tattoo's size, this tattoo removal may require local, regional, or even general anesthetic.

• The surgical procedure of tattoo removal will leave a surgical scar.

• Bandages applied after surgery should stay in place for 48 hours.

• After removing the bandages, the surgical site should be washed daily with soap and water.

• The wound may be covered for the first few days with a dressing.

What Are the Postoperative Instructions to be Followed After Tattoo Removal?

• Mild pain and discomfort will be there for two days.

• Patients are advised to apply ice packs to the operated site.

• The presence of mild erythema and bleeding will be seen immediately after the tattoo removal, which is common and resolved in 24 hours.

• The fading of the tattoo can be seen once the healing starts and scabs are formed, which will fall off within two weeks.

• Change of bandages and antibiotic cream should be done as a doctor prescribes.

Complications or Risks Associated With Tattoo Removal?

Complications are usually rare after the tattoo removal; however, the patient should report to the surgeon in case of the following symptoms:

• Infection.

• Hematoma (accumulation of fluid under the skin).

• Bleeding from the site.

• Scarring.

• Allergic reactions.

• Pain or damage to underlying tissue.

• Change in skin color.

• Alteration in sensations of the skin.

Conclusion:

Tattoos are generally permanent, and removal in a single sitting is always challenging. Lasers may require multiple sittings to achieve the desired results. Surgical procedures can perform tattoo removal in a single course, but there will be scarring. Regardless of the procedure, complete tattoo removal is difficult.