Tattoo removal: Things you need to know
What are the medical methods used to remove the tattoo? What do you need to know about each method? The most important information and details can be found in the following article.
Let's find out in the following the most important information about methods of removing tattoos , or removing tattoos:
What is the tattoo removal or tattoo removal process?
The process of removing a tattoo or removing a tattoo is a medical procedure that is resorted to in order to get rid of the tattoo, and there are several techniques that the doctor may follow to remove the tattoo. It is worth knowing that what may make the process of removing the tattoo difficult is that the ink used has been injected into deep layers of the skin, so the Attempts to remove tattoos in natural ways often fail, and it is preferable instead to consult a specialist about the most appropriate medical method for removing tattoos or removing tattoos.
Ways to remove tattoos
There are several medical methods and procedures that can be used to remove a tattoo, here is a list of them:
1. Removing tattoos with a chemical peel
A special type of acid is used topically on the skin in the tattoo area, as these acids dissolve the outer layers of the skin and get rid of them and the tattoo ink, and although the process of removing tattoos with acids may be somewhat painful, the acids used are medium in strength and effect Therefore, the patient may not need any anesthesia during the procedure.
Chemical peeling leaves an open wound in the skin, so the patient must adhere to the doctor's instructions to keep the area sterile and clean until recovery, and these instructions may include applying a topical antibiotic to the wound, cleaning the wound daily, and recovery often takes a period of up to 7 days.
2. Removing the tattoo by microdermabrasion
During the dermabrasion process, the area that will be treated is locally anesthetized, then the doctor passes a special machine that contains a rapidly rotating head at the end of the tattoo area to perform a skin sanding process, which may help stimulate ink exit from the deep layers of the skin to the surface.
The patient often feels pain and burning in the treatment site for a period that may last for several days after the operation, and full recovery may take a period ranging between 2-3 weeks, and this method is not a common option, as the person may not get satisfactory results as much as those that might get than other tattoo removal methods.
3. Laser tattoo removal
In this method, the doctor uses high-intensity laser beams to try to break up the ink particles and help the skin get rid of them. The type of laser beam used and the technique used vary depending on the color of the tattoo ink, but the most commonly used laser treatment is the Q-Switched laser. ).
The laser beams used target the injected ink without harming the surrounding skin tissue, and once the ink particles are broken down, the immune system attacks and gets rid of them, and the patient often needs to undergo several laser sessions ranging between 4-8 sessions with an interval of approximately 4- 6 weeks between each two sessions.
This method is the safest and most effective way to remove tattoos, and often does not cause any side effects.
4. Removing the tattoo with ointments
Ointments are currently being promoted that are said to help remove tattoos, but dermatologists recommend avoiding these ointments for several reasons, including the following:
- The effect of topical creams may be limited to the superficial layers of the skin, while tattoo ink is found in the deeper layers of the skin.
- There is no scientific evidence confirming the effectiveness of this type of cream.
- These creams may cause permanent damage to the skin or the emergence of health problems, such as: skin discoloration, irritation, and scars .
It should also be noted that the damage that these ointments may cause may make the task of removing the tattoo at a later time using a laser or any other medical method more difficult.
5. Surgical tattoo removal
In some cases, surgery may be used to remove the skin that contains tattoo ink, especially in the following cases:
- When laser or other tattoo removal methods fail to get rid of the tattoo.
- When the tattoo is small in size, this method may not be feasible if the tattoo does not extend over a wide area of the skin.
The surgeon relies on this method to anesthetize the patient first, then he removes the skin that contains the tattoo ink, then he joins the two incisions of the wound and closes it using surgical stitches, and the wound usually recovers after about a week after the operation, and this process may leave a scar in the form of a line Surgical thinness at the site of the operation may fade with time.
Reasons for tattoo removal or tattoo removal
Tattoo removal or tattoo removal is often resorted to for reasons such as:
- The color of the tattoo changes with time.
- The appearance of health complications at the site of the tattoo, such as inflammation .
- Dissatisfaction with the final appearance of the tattoo.
What are the types of tattoos?
Tattooing is a cosmetic procedure through which a special type of ink is inserted into the skin layers below the outer epidermis layer, and tattoos may be used for various purposes, such as:
1. Cosmetic tattoos
used in:
- Reshaping and reshaping the eyebrows.
- Dye the lips a specific color.
- Draw a cosmetic eyeliner line around the eye .
2. Medical tattoos
It is used in each of the following:
- Redrawing the nipple after a mastectomy .
- Drawing a permanent mark on the skin indicating that a person has a certain chronic disease, which may help medical staff in some emergency cases.