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.
Laser removal is the most common method for eradicating embarrassing body art. Light beams dissolve the colored pigments in the inks, so they can be safely absorbed into the skin. Even stubborn, professional tattoos that often have more deeply injected ink that embeds itself amongst the collagen fibers of the dermis can usually be removed this way.
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.
Amateur tattoos typically require fewer sessions than professional body art to remove. At least two lasers and as many as twenty sessions may be necessary to get rid of professional ink-work, whereas amateur work only requires about two. Inks which contain iron-oxide compounds may respond to the laser light by turning black, for this reason a patch test is recommended.
A topical anesthetic is administered before the procedure, but it is normal to still feel some discomfort. The length of time it takes will depend on the type and size of the tattoo, it may only be a few minutes or as long as an hour in duration. Minor scarring can occur in some patients.
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.
An older and less used technique, dermabrasion can also get rid of tattoos. A local anesthetic is injected, and the surgeon uses a machine called a dermatome to sand off the uppermost layers of the skin. Redness and tenderness in the area can be expected for several weeks, as the skin regenerates. People who scar easily may want to consider another 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.
Laser removal is the most common method for eradicating embarrassing body art. Light beams dissolve the colored pigments in the inks, so they can be safely absorbed into the skin. Even stubborn, professional tattoos that often have more deeply injected ink that embeds itself amongst the collagen fibers of the dermis can usually be removed this way.
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.
Amateur tattoos typically require fewer sessions than professional body art to remove. At least two lasers and as many as twenty sessions may be necessary to get rid of professional ink-work, whereas amateur work only requires about two. Inks which contain iron-oxide compounds may respond to the laser light by turning black, for this reason a patch test is recommended.
A topical anesthetic is administered before the procedure, but it is normal to still feel some discomfort. The length of time it takes will depend on the type and size of the tattoo, it may only be a few minutes or as long as an hour in duration. Minor scarring can occur in some patients.
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.
An older and less used technique, dermabrasion can also get rid of tattoos. A local anesthetic is injected, and the surgeon uses a machine called a dermatome to sand off the uppermost layers of the skin. Redness and tenderness in the area can be expected for several weeks, as the skin regenerates. People who scar easily may want to consider another 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.