Tattoo Removal

The good news for all the people sporting a tattoo that they regret is that it’s now possible to have them successfully removed. Whether you’ve tattooed your ex-lover’s name or your tattoo has become infected, new technologies such as laser and dermabrasion have the ability to permanently delete any tattoos that seemed like a good idea at the time.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is the process of applying a chemical to the tattoo, causing the top layer of skin to peel off, thus enabling the tattoo to be targeted. Scarring is a common side effect, as multiple layers of skin will be scraped off in order to reach the tattoo. Dermabrasion is generally considered the more unpleasant option compared to modern day laser technology, which is less painful and avoids scarring.

Laser Tattoo Removal

Laser tattoo removal implements high intense light beams that are directed at the tattoo, causing the ink to break down into smaller particles that are then absorbed by the body. The process will need to be repeated for satisfactory results and it is often fairly expensive. Your doctor will need to physically examine the tattoo to understand the kind of light intensity it needs to be subjected to. It is also said that the colour of the ink used may require a different intensity of light in order to achieve better results. The pain factor is minimal and many patients have described it as a light stinging sensation. This process may also cause redness of the skin after the procedure has been conducted.

IPL Therapy

IPL (also known as Intense Pulsed Light) therapy involves application of a cold gel on the tattoo, followed by a series of intense light beams that penetrate the top layer of the skin. This damages the tissue absorbed in tattoo ink. IPL claims to be more superior to any other method and less painful. However, this effectiveness comes at a price – patients are usually charged per light pulse, making it a very costly procedure for those with large tattoos.