Overview
Many people are very passionate about there tattoos. They wear
them proudly. Often they are small and discrete. Others are
much more obvious. Over time, however, it is not uncommon for
you feelings to change and the tattoo is no longer desirable. A common example is the man who is madly in love who tattoos
his girlfriends name on his arm. This is great until the relationship
ends and he marries someone else. Another example is when a
tattoo becomes a liability in the job market. Laser tattoo
removal is a good option in the right patient who is properly
educated. Lasers are able to remove tattoos by destroying
the pigment. Different lasers emit light with different wavelengths. Each color in a tattoo is destroyed by a specific wavelength. Different lasers are necessary to treat different colors. Black, brown, and blue colors respond best to lasers while
red, orange, yellow and green do not respond as well. Other
factors such as the depth of tattoo, the type of pigment used,
and the ability of the tattoo artist also play a role in how
effective the laser treatment will be.
Typically, four to six treatments are necessary to remove
a tattoo. The benefit of the laser is that it can destroy
the pigment without a scar. Typically, however, the area treated
is somewhat lighter than the surrounding skin or is mildly
scarred.
 Benefits
Previously, the only way to remove a tattoo was to cut it
out leaving an obvious scar. With the advent of laser technology
ICRS is able to remove the tattoo with little or no scarring
and little pain. Here is a summary of the benefits:
- Removes tattoos with little or no scars.
- Is relatively painless with no downtime.
- Does not require a surgical procedure.
- Some tattoos respond very rapidly with essentially complete
removal.
- Is very effective at removing traumatic tattoos obtained during an accident.
Are
you a good candidate?
The best candidates for laser tattoo removal are those with
black, brown or blue tattoos. Another good candidate is the
patient who has a traumatic tattoo. This patient
has dirt and debris under the skin that does not go away. Finally, someone undergoing laser tattoo removal must be realistic. It is not possible to remove a tattoo and make it like it
was never there. There will always be a hint that there was
a tattoo. This will range from a slight lightening of the
skin to incomplete removal of the tattoo.
Possible
complications
The most common complication is incomplete removal of the
tattoo. Once again this depends on the color and type of tattoo
you have. Other complications include lightening of the skin
and mild scarring. These are often a welcomed tradeoff for
the removal of the tattoo. Other complications include hypersensitivity
to the sun which is particularly a problem for the first year
after the treatments. It is important to use sunscreen to
protect your skin.
Do's
and Dont's prior to surgery
There are few do's and don't's with laser tattoo removal. It is important to stay out of the sun just prior and one
year after treatments. Also important is to let yor plastic surgeon know if you have been on the medication Acuteness within the
past two years. This medication markedly slows skin healing
and may result in significant permanent scarring. Other than
that it is possible to come during your lunch break, have
it done, and return back to work.
Anesthesia
Usually, the area around the tattoo is numbed with a topical
cream. This markedly reduces the pain and does not effect
the patient the way IV sedation would. The cream lasts about
an hour and a half. It must be applied at least half an hour
prior to the procedure and preferably 45 minutes.
After
the procedure
For the first two or three days there will be redness and
mild pain. There may also me some slight bleeding that stops
usually before you leave the office. Keep the area clean and
apply an antibiotic cream for the first three days. Healing
is usually complete within four or five days.
Recovery
time
There really is no recovery time. Patients often go right
back to work after the treatment. |
