Tattoo Removal

While tattoos are more or less permanent, it is possible to remove them. A complete wipe out may not be possible.

Earlier, dermabrasion, cryosurgery and excision were employed to remove tattoos. Currently, lasers are most commonly employed in tattoo removal. Lasers work on ink pigments to break it down. These pigments are then absorbed by the body. The entire process mimics the fading process that would take place naturally with time.

All the ink pigments used in tattoos have charecteristic light absorbance spectrums. Laser employed for tattoo removal emits enough light energy (in relation to the pigment’s absorbance spectrum) in order to treat efficiently. Pigments, such as fluorescent inks, yellows and greens are sturdier and more difficult to remove. Black is the easiest.

Removal of tattoos using laser treatment often requires many repeated sittings and may result in permanent scars. In some cases topical anesthetics are applied before the procedure.

It must be noted that certain pigments break down into toxic material in the body. This is more pronounced in the case of laser removal or when UV light is involved. Some pigments are more hazardous than the rest.