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