| Tattoos have been around since before recorded | | | | Most tattoo removals will leave at least minor |
| history. There is evidence that the ancient Egyptians | | | | scarring, and maybe color variations in the skin. The |
| practiced tattooing, and primitive tribes today use | | | | success of the removal will depend on the size of |
| tattooing for various tribal rituals as well. | | | | the tattoo, the location, the evenness of the |
| Tattoos are created by making deep holes in the | | | | pigment and the age of the tattoo. |
| skin and filling them with pigment of some kind. | | | | Excision is used on small tattoos, or in several stages |
| Today's tattoo artists use a tattoo gun with a fast | | | | for larger ones. The site is anesthetized, and then the |
| moving needle that applies the ink as they move | | | | tattoo is excised, or cut away. |
| over a design drawn on the body. | | | | The edges of the incision is then brought together |
| Tattoos are fairly permanent once they are applied, | | | | and stitched. If this method is used for a large tattoo |
| so be sure you want one before you walk into the | | | | removal, a skin graft may be needed. |
| tattoo parlor. If you really want one, think carefully | | | | Dermabrasion is a procedure where a solution is |
| about the design you're getting. | | | | sprayed on the tattoo which freezes the area. It is |
| If you are determined to get a tattoo, choose the | | | | then "sanded" off with a rotary abrasive tool that |
| parlor carefully. It should be licensed by the state and | | | | makes the skin peel. |
| keep hygienic standards. | | | | A dressing is applied afterwards, since some bleeding |
| Keep the design simple, up to three colors is still fairly | | | | will happen. |
| easy for a doctor to remove if you find yourself | | | | Laser is considered the best method of tattoo |
| disliking the tattoo in the future. | | | | removal by many physicians. A cream is rubbed on to |
| Think carefully about where you want the tattoo, try | | | | numb the skin, and then pulses of laser light is applied, |
| to choose someplace that will heal quickly, and is | | | | breaking up the pigment. |
| easy to conceal when you need to, like in the | | | | The healing process will remove the broken up |
| workplace. If you suspect an infection, see your | | | | pigment. Laser treatment usually takes more than |
| doctor as soon as possible before it gets worse. | | | | one visit. |
| So, you have your tattoo, and down the road you | | | | Salabrasion is a centuries-old technique to remove |
| decide to get it removed. Your doctor will probably | | | | tattoos. A local anesthetic is used to numb the area. |
| refer you to a dermasurgeon for the procedure. | | | | Then a solution of water and table salt is applied. |
| The doctor's choice of removal procedure will depend | | | | An abrading tool, like the one used in dermabrasion is |
| a lot on the size of the tattoo, the location of the | | | | applied, or sometimes a simple little block of wood |
| tattoo, and how long you've had it. How your body | | | | covered in gauze is used to abrade the area. When |
| heals may also factor into his or her decision. | | | | the area turns red, a dressing is applied. |