| Today is available several excellent methods of tattoo removal. The method that the surgeon chooses will depend on the size of the tattoo and its location as well as the length of time it has been on the skin. How the patient cures may also be an aspect in the decision. Excision
One more popular method of tattoo removal is by excision, especially when the dyed area is small. The benefit of this method is that the entire tattoo can be removed. With larger tattoos, however, it may be necessary to excise in stages, removing the center of it at first and the sides afterwards.
Excision includes an injection of a local anesthetic to numb the area after which the tattoo is removed surgically. The boundaries are then brought together and stitched. With this procedure, there is minimal bleeding which is easily controlled with electrocautery. In certain cases involving large tattoos, a skin implant taken from another part of the body may be necessary. Dermabrasion
Another method of tattoo removal is called dermabrasion in which a small portion of the tattoo is sprayed with a device that freezes the area. The tattoo is then "sanded" with a revolving abrasive instrument that makes skin to peel. As some bleeding is likely to occur, a dressing is immediately applied to the area. Laser
In recent times, many physicians consider laser surgery one of the best methods of tattoo removal. Today, the Q-switched Nd: YAG, Q-switched Alexandrite and the Q-switched Ruby are among the most frequently used lasers today for the removal of unwanted tattoos. They are all employed in a same manner. If necessary, a cream to numb the skin can be applied prior to the treatment. Throbs of light from the laser are aimed at the tattoo break up the tattoo pigment. Through the next several weeks the body's scavenger cells take out the treated pigmented areas. More then one cure is usually necessary to remove the entire tattoo.
Laser Salabration
Salabrasion is an ancient method that is still sometimes used to remove tattoos. The same as with the other methods, a local anesthetic is used on and around the tattooed area after which a solution of common tap water dipped in table salt is applied. Abrading equipment such as the one used with dermabrasion, or an even simpler device such as a wooden block wrapped in gauze, is used to dynamically abrade the area. When the area becomes deep red in color, a dressing is applied.
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