Tattoos are usually a source of pride and expression for those who choose to get them, but sometimes the love for this body art fades away, and the design is no longer something to be proud of, but rather something to hide. Once this happens, the best solution is getting it removed, which can be accomplished using several different techniques. If interested in undergoing tattoo removal Worcester patients must first learn what their choices are.
Perhaps the most popular approach to eliminating unwanted body art is laser removal. Laser light beams break apart the color pigments in the ink so they can be absorbed by the skin. This method even tackles professional tattoos in which inks have been injected into the deeper dermal layer where they are held in place by collagen fibers.
The type of laser used for this procedure is known as a "Q-switched" laser, it delivers short, precise pulses of light which penetrate the ink molecules, breaking them down into tiny particles which will be absorbed by the cells of the skin. Three kinds of Q-switched lasers are implemented, depending on the colors of the tattoo, the Nd:YAG is used for blue, red, and black pigments, and the Ruby or Alexandrite for blue, green, and black. Brighter colors are usually harder to eliminate than duller ones.
It normally requires fewer laser treatments to eliminate amateur tattoos than it does to remove professional designs. The former may only need about two sessions, whereas the latter can take as many as twenty in some cases and at least two lasers will be implemented. Conducting a patch test before the procedure is recommended, as some inks contain iron-oxide and may turn black.
The procedure is done using a topical anesthetic to reduce discomfort, however most patients will still feel some sensation as it is not a painless one. Depending on the size and type of tattoo it can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour to apply the laser treatment. It is normal to expect some minor scarring.
The IPL or Intense Pulsed Light method is another alternative for removing tattoos which is similar to laser except that it uses larger pulses of broad spectrum light. The upper layer of epidermal cells is burned away, taking the pigments with it, after several treatments the design will fade. Due to the nature of it, it is most suitable for larger areas such as the back, and more light pulses will be needed for designs that are deeper and more complex.
Although it's not used as much today, dermabrasion can also remove tattoos. The patient is given a local anesthetic, and the tattooed layers of skin are sanded off using a dermatome. New skin will grow in the area treated, and it may remain somewhat reddened and tender for a few weeks. People prone to scarring may wish to consider a different approach.
The most extreme approach is surgical excision. The patient is given a local anesthetic and the surgeon then cuts away the section of skin where the design is located, if the image is small, the skin flaps on either side can simply be stitched together, however, if it is a larger design, sometimes skin must be taken from elsewhere on the body and be grafted on. Sometimes more than one surgery is needed, and scarring is a real possibility.
Perhaps the most popular approach to eliminating unwanted body art is laser removal. Laser light beams break apart the color pigments in the ink so they can be absorbed by the skin. This method even tackles professional tattoos in which inks have been injected into the deeper dermal layer where they are held in place by collagen fibers.
The type of laser used for this procedure is known as a "Q-switched" laser, it delivers short, precise pulses of light which penetrate the ink molecules, breaking them down into tiny particles which will be absorbed by the cells of the skin. Three kinds of Q-switched lasers are implemented, depending on the colors of the tattoo, the Nd:YAG is used for blue, red, and black pigments, and the Ruby or Alexandrite for blue, green, and black. Brighter colors are usually harder to eliminate than duller ones.
It normally requires fewer laser treatments to eliminate amateur tattoos than it does to remove professional designs. The former may only need about two sessions, whereas the latter can take as many as twenty in some cases and at least two lasers will be implemented. Conducting a patch test before the procedure is recommended, as some inks contain iron-oxide and may turn black.
The procedure is done using a topical anesthetic to reduce discomfort, however most patients will still feel some sensation as it is not a painless one. Depending on the size and type of tattoo it can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour to apply the laser treatment. It is normal to expect some minor scarring.
The IPL or Intense Pulsed Light method is another alternative for removing tattoos which is similar to laser except that it uses larger pulses of broad spectrum light. The upper layer of epidermal cells is burned away, taking the pigments with it, after several treatments the design will fade. Due to the nature of it, it is most suitable for larger areas such as the back, and more light pulses will be needed for designs that are deeper and more complex.
Although it's not used as much today, dermabrasion can also remove tattoos. The patient is given a local anesthetic, and the tattooed layers of skin are sanded off using a dermatome. New skin will grow in the area treated, and it may remain somewhat reddened and tender for a few weeks. People prone to scarring may wish to consider a different approach.
The most extreme approach is surgical excision. The patient is given a local anesthetic and the surgeon then cuts away the section of skin where the design is located, if the image is small, the skin flaps on either side can simply be stitched together, however, if it is a larger design, sometimes skin must be taken from elsewhere on the body and be grafted on. Sometimes more than one surgery is needed, and scarring is a real possibility.
