Options in Tattoo Removal
Today, tattoos have become more popular than ever with the advent of popular reality shows like Miami Ink and others. Many people that would have never before considered a tattoo are flocking in droves to get them done. Some don’t put a lot of thought or think in the long term before having a tattoo done. They put names of girlfriends, boyfriends, their mom, gang affiliation, crimes, etc… on their body and then after they break up with their girlfriend or similar a few weeks or months later they regret the tattoo. Worse, some even get tattooed on areas like the face and hands that can make a regular career or advancement in a professional setting impossible. This is where tattoo removal and tattoo reduction come in.
Excision
Excision is using a scalpel or similar to remove the affected area and then suturing and pulling together the skin to minimize scarring. If the tattoo is large or covers a big area than skin grafts may be necessary as the skin can only be pulled so taught before it will look worse, not heal right and possibly even pull apart. Skin grafts are usually taken from areas inside the thighs and underarms where scarring will be minimal and largely unseen. Excision is surgery and does usually require a sedative or even anesthesia in cases with large tattoos. Due to the advent of lasers and TCA skin peels for tattoo removal, excision is rarely used anymore.
TCA skin peel
Chemical peels have been around in various forms for over half a century. They were first used for treating tough calluses and corns on the feet. About 20 years ago doctors started experimenting on different areas of the skin like the face with varying strengths and mixtures. It was found that a 25 to 50 % TCA skin peel was the most effective and easiest to apply. It was also found that this peel could affect deeper skin problems like acne scarring, wrinkles and then unwanted tattoos. The TCA skin peel causes a controlled burn which results in several layers being peeled off and fresh, new skin being revealed. Many doctors now use the TCA peel as a very effective tattoo removal and reduction treatment. It can be either used alone or incorporated with the laser treatments described below which actually hastens healing and further reduces the chances of scarring. The TCA skin peel is so easy to use that it is now available for in home use for tattoo removal (something you will never see with laser treatment and excision).
Tattoo removal treatment actually used by dermatologists and plastic surgeons that is guaranteed to work - TCA peel - Bestskinpeel.com
Laser Treatment
Laser treatment of unwanted tattoos has become quite popular today. The laser works by degrading and breaking up the ink which then becomes synthesized and cleared out by the body’s own lymph system. Each color of ink is only susceptible to a certain laser type, so most tattoos which incorporate many colors will require several treatments with different lasers. This can be a very expensive proposition as a single treatment can average $300 to more than $1,000 and with several treatments being necessary it can quickly cost over $5,000 or more. Some colors are only faded by laser treatment and some lasers are more effective than others. This is where it is wise to do your research first and also sit with your doctor and go over the prospects and costs. The TCA skin peel mentioned above is not color selective and works on any tattoo regardless of color. This is why many doctors prefer to use the TCA skin peel or use it along with laser treatments.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion works much like a chemical peel in that it removes the top few layers of skin. It uses a dermabrader or sanding device to abrade the skin. Dermabrasion can work on tattoos, but can result in pigmentation and texture problems depending on the depth desired. Not many doctors use it for tattoo removal for this reason. Dermabrasion is used more often for leveling out deep pitted acne scars and fine lines around the mouth and eyes due to aging.
TCA chemical peel for in home use
IPL - Intense Pulsed Light
IPL or Intense Pulsed Light skin treatment has been out for a few years. Just like with dermabrasion, IPL was originally for treatment of acne and acne scarring. After some experimentation it was found to have tattoo fading properties. Similar to the laser, these pulsed lights tended to work better on certain tattoo inks and colors. IPL has more of a fading or tattoo reduction quality than complete removal. It is however very effective and quick to fade tattoos. Many doctors and medi spas that offer IPL charge per pulse of light treatment (which at $5 to $10 per tiny pulse can quickly become inordinately expensive and even more expensive than a laser treatment). With IPL pulsed lights are applied to the skin which will over time fade tattoos to varying degrees.
Tattoo removal creams
Yes, there are creams and such with names like TatBGone and Tattoo Off, that are basically applied to the skin for a period of several months that claim to be effective. According to research institutes, the FDA and other respectable research arms of both the government and private sector, there is absolutely zero credibility of these creams and they are a complete waste of time and money and are over hyped nonsense. At best the cream may contain a skin bleaching ingredient that may lighten the surrounding skin a shade or two. That is all. At $50 to $100 or more per month supply it is the same as the overhyped wrinkle remover creams that Consumer Reports just did an expose on where most were ineffective and none of the high priced creams ($100 to $300 or more) were any more effective than $10 to $20 creams that can be obtained at Walmart. Tattoo removal creams are best avoided. Stick to the treatments listed above which are all used by licensed doctors, approved by the American Medical Association and the FDA in treatment of tattoo removal and other skin treatments. Article courtesy of Bestskinpeel.com