Dermatologist and skin clinics are increasingly hearing a request from their patients: "I want to get rid of this tattoo."A doctor is most likely to suggest laser tattoo removal, excision (cutting the tattoo out) or dermabrasion to get rid of the ink. Tattoo removal cost varies according to the size, location, and quality of the tattoo. Tattoo removal at home is unlikely to lead to complete removal of the ink, and may cause burns or other unwanted skin damage.
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Best tattoo removal candidates
The degree to which you can remove a tattoo depends on several factors:
- Color: Black tattoos are usually the easiest to remove with a laser. Reds, yellows, and oranges are usually the most difficult to remove successfully.
- Tattoo size
- Location of the tattoo
- Your ability to heal
- How the tattoo was applied
- How long the tattoo has been in place
Professional tattoos typically distribute large particles of ink uniformly in the deep dermis (deeper layer of the skin). They are more difficult to remove that amateur tattoos, which are typically comprised of irregular placement of a less amount of ink in the superficial dermis.
Laser tattoo removal procedure
Lasers are the standard treatment for tattoo removal. Lasers are regarded by dermatologists as the safest and most effective way of removing tattoos even though they can cause skin discoloration or scars.
Different types of lasers are used to removed different color tattoos. For example, green or teal colored tattoos respond best to an alexandrite laser.
Regardless of the type of tattoo or laser used, a patient should be prepared for imperfect results. There exists the possibility of scarring, incomplete removal, or a blurred / faded appearance of the tattoo.
Laser tattoo removal has been described as feeling like hot specks of bacon grease on your skin or being snapped by a thin rubber band. Prescription anesthetic cream or local anesthetic may make the experience more comfortable.
Skin may feel sunburned, flake or show signs of hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation after treatment.
Tattoo removal cream
There are dozens of tattoo fade creams sold online, including ebay, and marketed aggressively on the radio including Wrecking Balm, Tat b gone, dermasal, and tattoo off.
For simple tattoos you may be able to lighten its appearance with a fading cream, or conceal it with makeup. However, dermatologists are concerned about the safety and efficacy of these tattoo removal creams, hence you will not find tattoo creams offered for sale at dermatologist offices or in high-end skin care outlets.
Many tattoo creams contain unsafe, high dosages of prescriptive chemical that will burn your skin and could cause significant scaring. In worst cases, these chemicals could potentially cause skin loss.
If you cannot afford to pay for tattoo removal consider looking into a university or civic program that removes gang tattoos free of charge.
TCA Tattoo removal
High concentration TCA peels are often used to get rid of a tattoo. Like tattoo removal creams, the TCA products are untested and may lead to undesirable side-effects such as burns or skin discoloration.
While a TCA tattoo removal product may fade, the peel probably won't remove the tattoo since the peel only effects the upper skin layers (superficial dermis) and does not target the problem: the pigment of the tattoo.
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