Can Tattoos Be Removed?

The answer is yes – but it is certainly not a cheap or painless endeavor. Maybe you got a tattoo that no longer aligns with your ideals, or a poorly done piece, or even someone’s name that you’d rather forget – everyone has different reasons for wanting to change their permanent appearance. Just like the practice of tattooing, tattoo removal has come a long way since archaic times.

Laser Tattoo Removal

There are a few methods of removal now a days, the most common is laser removal – it is also thought to be the most effective method. A trained professional guides a focused medical grade laser over the affected area. The laser works by heating the ink trapped under the skin, and forces them to break down into smaller particles. The body’s natural processes are then able to clear and

dispose of those smaller particles like normal cells. Laser removal usually takes multiple sessions in order to truly fade the ink.

Unfortunately, the process is not painless – a local anesthetic or over the counter pain medicine is commonly given before treatment. After the procedure, ice is often applied to minimize swelling and discomfort – followed by an antibiotic ointment. The laser affected area should be treated like a sun burn during the healing process. For more extensive work, it is not uncommon for irritation or blistering to occur. Although it is the most effective method, there is still the chance for scarring or for the tattoo to be vaguely present.  

Dermabrasion or Microdermabrasion Tattoo Removal

Dermabrasion is another common method of removal – it’s been around for a long time but is not nearly as effective. It is the process of resurfacing or sanding skin with surgical grade equipment to remove unwanted ink or body blemishes. A professional will use a medical grinding tool to remove the top and inner layers of skin that hold the tattoo. It’s not a highly regarded method as it can be very painful and takes longer to heal. Even with trained professionals and proper technique, dermabrasion can result

in significant scarring. Many professionals in the industry won’t recommend this method over laser

removal for that reason.

Surgical Tattoo Removal

Tattoos can also be surgically removed – this method is more invasive and usually only recommended for smaller tattoos. The process involves removing the tattooed skin with surgical precision, and then stitching up the area skin. It can be done with larger tattoos, but often requires a skin graph from another part of the body. This method is generally very economic and effective. However, surgical removal usually leads to scarring. Unlike the other methods mentioned, surgical removal does not typically need multiple sessions.

TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid) Method

Often seen as a first resort, TCA is a method of chemical peeling the affected area of skin. It is an acid treatment that works by removing the top layers of skin and penetrating the areas where the ink lies. It causes layers of skin to peel and promote the growth of new skin cells, phasing out the tattoo ink. This method isn’t terribly popular as it is not always effective. Every product and every client is different, so the acid may penetrate the skin at different rates. TCA sometimes leaves remnants of the tattoo behind, scars the skin

or can cause changes to skin’s pigmentation.

Camouflaging Tattoos (Cover Ups)

If intensive removal methods are too much to endure, another popular option is camouflaging. To do so, an artist will ink a new design over the existing tattoo to hide its appearance. This process can be

completely covering the tattoo with a new design, or reworking and revamping the existing design. The artist must pay special attention to the saturation and curvatures of the original tattoo in order to successfully cover it. At a quick glance, the old tattoo should no longer be visible – but it isn’t uncommon for lines or remnants of the old tattoo to be slightly visible beneath the camouflage.

American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2020. Tattoo Removal. [online] Available at: <https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/tattoo-removal> [Accessed 24 November 2020].

Healthline. 2020. Tattoo Removal: How To, Costs, Before And After Pictures & More. [online] Available at: <https://www.healthline.com/health/tattoo-removal-how#cover-up-method> [Accessed 24 November 2020].

Tattoohealth.org. 2020. TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid) To Remove Unwanted Tattoos. [online] Available at: <https://www.tattoohealth.org/content/laser-alternatives/tca-trichloroacetic-acid> [Accessed 24 November 2020].

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