A cool, new tattoo may seem like a great idea at the time someone first gets it, but years later he or she may come to regret it. When this happens the best solution is to have it removed. When seriously considering tattoo removal Worcester residents should be sure they are aware of the different methods this can be done, so they can make an informed choice.
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 particular type of laser used for removing tattoos is called a "Q-switched" laser, it emits sharp, short light pulses that break the ink molecules down so they are absorbed by the skin cells and are no longer visible. These lasers are sub-grouped into three types which offer vary degrees of effectiveness on specific colors: Ruby and Alexandrite lasers are used for green, blue, and black ink, and the Nd:YAG laser for red, black, and blue. Vivid, intense colors are usually the most challenging to remove.
Amateur ink work may only need two sessions or so to eliminate it, whereas professional designs can involve the use of at least two lasers and require up to twenty sessions. Some inks that contain iron-oxide compounds have the tendency to turn black when exposed to laser light, so a patch test is done first to determine if this will occur.
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.
Intense Pulsed Light or IPL, is another method which has demonstrated some effectiveness in removing body art designs. It is somewhat similar to laser, since light is used, however this technique involves a broad spectrum light which is delivered in larger pulses. The top layer of the epidermis is gently removed, which in effect reduces the visibility of the tattoo. Larger designs require more light pulses, and is most suited to larger areas of skin.
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.
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 particular type of laser used for removing tattoos is called a "Q-switched" laser, it emits sharp, short light pulses that break the ink molecules down so they are absorbed by the skin cells and are no longer visible. These lasers are sub-grouped into three types which offer vary degrees of effectiveness on specific colors: Ruby and Alexandrite lasers are used for green, blue, and black ink, and the Nd:YAG laser for red, black, and blue. Vivid, intense colors are usually the most challenging to remove.
Amateur ink work may only need two sessions or so to eliminate it, whereas professional designs can involve the use of at least two lasers and require up to twenty sessions. Some inks that contain iron-oxide compounds have the tendency to turn black when exposed to laser light, so a patch test is done first to determine if this will occur.
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.
Intense Pulsed Light or IPL, is another method which has demonstrated some effectiveness in removing body art designs. It is somewhat similar to laser, since light is used, however this technique involves a broad spectrum light which is delivered in larger pulses. The top layer of the epidermis is gently removed, which in effect reduces the visibility of the tattoo. Larger designs require more light pulses, and is most suited to larger areas of skin.
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.
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