The newest and most effective method of tattoo removal is laser tattoo removal. Using a particular spectrum of light lasers break up the tattoo ink into smaller particles so it can be naturally carried away by the bodies immune system. The benefit of laser tattoo removal compared to other methods is only the tattoo pigment is affected with minimal damage to the surrounding tissue.
Will Laser Tattoo Removal Completely Get Rid Of My Tattoo?
The top laser tattoo removal clinics claim that 95% of tattoos can be completely removed with the latest lasers and techniques. There is always a chance that scarring of the skin occurred at the time the tattoo was applied, in which case an obvious outline of the tattoo will be forever visible unless you get a skin graft.
Some Laser Tattoo Removal Facts
Black and dark blue ink responds best to laser tattoo removal, while green is one of the most difficult colors to remove. Although black and dark blue respond the best they also are the most painful colors to have removed.
Laser removal takes several sessions which can vary greatly depending on the complexity and experience of the artist who tattooed you. There are over 100 different FDA approved tattoo inks on the market so until the removal process has started there is no way to tell the quality of the ink which will determine its ease of removal.
Tattoo techniques, equipment, and inks have changed greatly within the last ten years. Newer tattoos are much harder to remove then tattoos applied longer then ten years ago. Professional tattoos are also much more difficult to remove then homemade tattoos.
Laser tattoo removal is expensive. If you paid a lot for your tattoo when you got it expect to pay substantially more to get it removed.
There are programs available throughout the country that offer free laser tattoo removal for former gang members. You can check your local state agencies for availability.
Alternatives To Laser Tattoo Removal
Dermabrasion – Basically scrubbing the skin with a coarse abrasive like sandpaper until you reach the layer of skin the ink rest in. This method can take weeks to heal and is prone to infection.
Salabrasion – The same thing as dermabrasion with the addition of salt to lighten any pigment not removed by the sanding process.
Cryosurgery – removal of a tattoo using extremely cold liquid (liquid nitrogen) to destroy tissue including the layer of skin the tattoo ink resides in. Cryosurgery, although effective, has a high rate of scarring which will be determined by your body’s natural healing properties.
Excision – physically cutting out the skin where the tattoo resides. This method of tattoo removal is often combined with skin grafts to minimize scarring and create a more natural look once healed.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Ian // Dec 3, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Curt,
Great article on tattoo removal. I work for a laser tattoo removal company called Dr. TATTOFF. We’re very well respected amongst consumers, tattoo artists, and medical professionals alike. I appreciate you spreading the word about tattoo removal; there are many methods out there and we consider the way we do it at Dr. TATTOFF to be the safest and most effective. If you or any of your readers are interested in even more information (before & after pictures, videos, prices, clinic locations, etc), please visit our website at drtattoff.com.
Best regards,
Ian
2 monica // Dec 8, 2008 at 6:42 am
It`s pretty disappointing when you realize that laser tattoo removal is extremely painful, involves multiple sessions, and often cannot entirely remove the ink. I was shocked when one of my tattoo artists told me that he was going to have his sleeves faded by laser removal so that he could get new tattoos on his arms! I can`t imagine the incredible pain and how many hours it would take!
3 Tattooique // Dec 15, 2008 at 9:53 am
I think the only way to avoid the painful procedure of tattoo removal is to think twice before getting one. Each tat I have is as precious as gold to me! So there is no way I decide to have them removed.
Alex.
4 Mike Smith // Oct 25, 2009 at 11:13 am
Are you not happy with the tattoo inked on your skin? Laser treatment tattoo removal process is the best idea then. Though costly ($200 to $500 per session) to some extent, laser treatment tattoo removal does not generally harm surrounding skin and completely remove the tattoo.
5 Stephanie // Mar 30, 2011 at 11:32 am
I actually just went through my first session of removing a tattoo on the side of my neck…and actually the pain doesn’t even compare to getting it put on… The roll a cooling gel on the tattoo first and that does help with easing the pain. Also, there is a cream you can purchase if needed. My removal is costing $125 per session and is gonna take around 10 sessions and around a 2 year span. But in the end its all worth it. But i just wanna ease the thoughts of pain on people…if it hurt getting it on-it doesn’t feel as bad as then, so if you were able to get it on it is possible to stand the pain of taking it off. My tattoo will take 10 sessions because it is vary dark black ink and around 6 years old, so still concidered new. But I would recommend tattoo removal to anyone thinking about it. It can be worked into a budget. For the first sessions it will be every 6 weeks and when the tattoo is around 60% faded it will be every 12 week intervals between session to allow your body to catch up. But like i said…i would recommend doing this…I am going through it now…and i know in the end it will be totally worth it!
6 Northeast Laser Tattoo Removal // Feb 6, 2012 at 2:52 pm
There is an error in this blog article that states “There are over 100 different FDA approved tattoo inks on the market…”. Actually there are exactly ZERO FDA-approved tattoo inks on the market. You can read about this on the FDA website from one of their pigment chemists: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AboutFDA/Transparency/Basics/UCM246800.pdf The FDA simply has no acted upon its authority to regulate the tattoo industry.
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