Tag: tattoo

  • 3 Ways to Remove Permanent Tattoos Medically

    3 Ways to Remove Permanent Tattoos Medically

    There are various medical procedures for permanent tattoo removal, ranging from surgery to laser therapy. However, each procedure has its own advantages and disadvantages. If you want to get rid of a tattoo, let’s take a look at the following explanation first.

    Until now, the most effective way to remove permanent tattoos is through medical procedures. This method is known to remove permanent tattoos on various parts of the body, whether arms, back, or legs.

    However, to determine the right medical procedure, you need to consult a doctor first. The doctor will adjust it to the position, size, and age of the tattoo and of course the history of skin disorders that you have, such as eczema and psoriasis.

    Various Ways to Remove Permanent Tattoos

    There are several ways to remove permanent tattoos medically, including:

    1. Laser technique

    Laser technique is one of the most common ways to remove permanent tattoos. Through laser light, the tattoo color will be broken down into smaller particles, then these destroyed tattoo ink particles will disappear naturally with the help of the body’s immune system.

    In the process of laser permanent tattoo removal, black, brown, dark blue and green tattoos are easier to remove than red, orange, yellow, white and light blue.

    This procedure is generally safe, but it can cause pain or stinging on the skin. Therefore, the doctor will administer a local anesthetic on the skin before performing laser therapy to remove the tattoo on your body.

    After laser therapy, you may experience side effects such as scarring, skin discoloration, or infection. However, skin infections can generally be prevented by administering antibiotic ointment as prescribed by your doctor.

    In addition, laser tattoo removal can also take quite a long time, even requiring more than 1 procedure session if the size of the tattoo is quite large or the color of the tattoo is bright.

    2. Surgery

    In addition to lasers, tattoos can also be removed with surgical procedures to remove tattooed skin tissue. This action can be performed by a plastic surgeon. The surgical techniques performed can vary, depending on the size of the tattoo on the part of the skin to be removed.

    In small tattoos, generally only the tissue is taken, then the skin will be sewn so that it is reunited. While in large tattoos, it is not uncommon to need a skin graft procedure, which is taking a little skin from another area of the body to cover the part that was taken.

    After the surgery, the incision area will also be given an antibiotic ointment to prevent skin infection. This method is considered very effective in removing permanent tattoos in a short period of time, but surgery more often causes scars.

    3. Dermabrasion

    Dermabrasion is a way of removing permanent tattoos by using a tool that can scrape off the top layer of skin. This process aims to remove the tattooed skin layer.

    Dermabrasion often causes pain, so this action is generally preceded by the administration of a local anesthetic. During the procedure, dermabrasion creates a large open wound over the skin.

    These wounds take longer to heal than laser removal. In addition, dermabrasion tattoo removal usually requires more than one procedure. Hence, people often opt for laser compared to dermabrasion.

    Just like any other medical procedure, the above three procedures also come with the risk of side effects, namely:

    • Injury to the skin tissue
    • Infection
    • Scarring or permanent scars
    • Skin discoloration
    • Allergy to anesthetic

    Therefore, tattoo removal needs to be done by a doctor who has the competence in performing the procedure. Once the procedure is complete, the doctor will administer the necessary medications to reduce complaints of pain, prevent infection, and minimize the risk of side effects.

    As stated above, before doing a permanent tattoo removal procedure, you should consult a doctor first. The doctor will help you determine the right method so that the results obtained can be maximized and the side effects are minimal.

  • Some Safe Ways to Remove Tattoos

    Some Safe Ways to Remove Tattoos

    Do you regret getting a tattoo with your ex-partner’s name? Or maybe you’re applying for a job that requires no tattoos? If so, maybe you can try one of the tattoo removal methods below.

    Can permanent tattoos be removed?

    In addition to considering health factors before deciding to get a tattoo, you also need to estimate whether one day you don’t change your mind and decide to remove it.

    Permanent tattoos are very difficult to remove because the ink is injected between the layers of the skin. Removing them would require a complicated and expensive method.

    When removing a tattoo, there are a few things you need to consider, which are as follows.

    • Removing a tattoo cannot be done all at once. You will usually need several treatments to remove it.
    • The tattoo removal process may also need to be done in several methods.
    • Your skin may be at risk of scarring after tattoo removal.
    • Your skin may also experience infection or discoloration.

    It is best not to expect more after tattoo removal. This is because tattoos are intentionally made to be permanently attached to the skin.

    Often the skin color cannot return to its original state, although sometimes there are patients who get quite good results after the removal process is carried out.

    Some ways to remove tattoos in a medically safe way

    As explained earlier, tattoo ink is permanently attached to the skin layer. So, you should not be careless when you want to remove it. You don’t want to experience infections or other problems that endanger your health. To be on the safe side, it’s best to have your tattoo removed by an experienced dermatologist.

    Here are some ways to remove permanent tattoos medically that are relatively safe for you to try.

    1. Laser technique

    Through this technique, the color of the tattoo will be broken down using high-intensity light. There are many types of lasers that are used as a way to remove tattoos.

    Each type of laser has different uses, such as YAG and Q-switched ruby lasers. Before starting laser tattoo removal, the doctor will inject a local anesthetic to numb the skin.

    Next, the laser device is attached to the tattoo to heat up and destroy the tattoo ink. Once the laser process is complete, you may notice swelling, blistering or bleeding of the skin. However, these can be treated with an antibacterial ointment.

    You will need to do this procedure repeatedly to get maximum results. It may take 2-4 treatments or even 10 times, depending on the color and size of the tattoo.

    2. Surgical removal of skin tissue

    Launching the Mayo Clinic, how to remove tattoos can also be done by skin surgery. This operation aims to remove skin tissue containing tattoo ink. The procedure is carried out in the following stages. Before starting, the skin area is numbed with a local anesthetic injection. Then a scalpel is used to cut the tattooed skin area and remove it. After that, the edges of the incised skin are brought together and stitched to make it stick together again.

    After the surgery, the incision area is given an antibacterial ointment to aid the healing process. This method is considered effective in removing tattoos, but it can cause scars on the skin.

    Therefore, this method of tattoo removal by surgery is usually only for small permanent tattoos.

    3. Dermabrasion

    How to remove tattoos can also be done with the dermabrasion process. The trick is to use a device that has wheels and a coarse brush that can rotate at high speed.

    After that, the tattooed skin is sanded down to the deeper layers of skin using the dermabrasion tool. This aims to fade the color. So that you don’t feel pain, the tattooed skin area is previously numbed. Unfortunately, due to the uncertain results, the dermabrasion technique is less popular nowadays.

    In addition, the previous two methods are considered more effective than dermabrasion. If you want to try one of the ways to remove a permanent tattoo, you should first talk to a skin specialist.

    Ask about what method is right for your type of tattoo and the cost.

    4. Chemical tattoo removal

    This method of tattoo removal is done by peeling off the outer skin tissue (peeling) using special chemicals. Liquid trichloroacetic acid (TCA) can be used for this process. TCA is a mild acid that is applied to the skin to remove the outer layer of skin containing the tattoo ink.

    This method may be slightly painful, but it does not usually require the use of an anesthetic. As with other tattoo removal methods, exfoliation with TCA will result in the removal of the tattoo ink.

    This method may be a little painful, but it usually does not require the use of an anesthetic. As with other tattoo removal methods, exfoliation with TCA will result in an open wound that will need to be treated after the procedure is complete.

    In addition, you will also need to regularly care for the scar, such as cleaning it with soap and water, applying antibiotic ointment, and wearing a bandage.

    This tattoo scar will usually heal in approximately 5-7 days.

  • Laser Tattoo Removal

    Laser Tattoo Removal

    Laser tattooing is a safe and effective way to remove tattoos. However, the procedure may be painful and the risk of side effects remains.”

    Tattoos are paintings on the skin that are permanent in nature. However, there are some people who want to remove their tattoos for various reasons. Well, one method of removing tattoos that you can do is laser tattooing.

    Laser tattoos can remove tattoos effectively, so your skin can return smooth almost like before being tattooed.

    However, before doing so, there are a few things to consider about this tattoo removal method. That way, you can make the best decision that suits your condition.

    Things to Note about Laser Tattoos

    Laser tattooing is one of the safest and most effective methods of tattoo removal. It involves firing a high-powered laser that penetrates deep into the skin, permanently destroying the ink particles in the cells that give the tattoo its color. The destroyed ink particles are then carried away as waste in the bloodstream.

    While laser tattooing is effective on all skin colors, the procedure is most effective on skin that has less pigment, aka fair skin. However, regardless of skin type, laser tattoo removal can leave scars and hypopigmentation (decreased pigment) at the site of the removed tattoo. However, it is usually very subtle and can become faint over time.

    According to dermatologist, Arash Akhavan, MD, founder of The Dermatology and Laser Group in New York City, USA, black color tattoos on less pigmented skin are the easiest to remove. While tattoos with light colors, such as yellow, light blue, light green and orange are the most difficult to remove.

    Before you decide to get a tattoo removed with laser tattooing, here are some things to consider or know:

    1. Safe but uncomfortable

    Laser tattooing is a safe procedure to do. However, make sure you have the procedure done by a professional who is trained to remove tattoos using lasers.

    Although safe, laser tattooing can cause discomfort and pain in the treated area. To minimize that, the tattooist will give an anesthetic injection to numb the tattooed skin.

    2. Side effects to know

    After the procedure, some patients may experience temporary changes in their skin color or redness around the treatment area.

    A decrease in pigment can also occur which makes the skin color lighter, but that is usually only temporary. The skin will usually return to its normal color within a few months after the procedure.

    Skin infections can also sometimes occur as a result of laser tattoo removal, especially if the affected area is neglected.

    So, it is important that you protect the lasered skin area well to prevent the entry of infection-causing bacteria.

    3. After-care that needs to be done

    Just like any other medical procedure, you will also receive after care instructions to ensure the best results from the treatment and also to minimize the risk of complications.

    Here’s what you need to do after your laser tattoo treatment:

    • Keep the lasered skin area clean.
    • Avoid exposure to hot water on the lasered skin area or doing exercises that will cause heat to the skin, especially during the first 24 hours. You may shower, but use only a little warm water on the treated area and do not scrub.
    • Use petrolatum ointment for 2-3 days post-procedure to help the skin heal.
    • It is a good idea to cover the lasered skin area with a sterile bandage to prevent it from sun exposure, or accidental scratching that could create sores. Cover the skin area for at least one week after laser tattooing.

    Those are the things that need to be considered if you want to remove tattoos with laser tattoo. If you experience severe side effects or do not heal after laser tattooing, you should immediately consult a doctor.