Tattoo Ink Removal - What Works?

Previous to laser treatment tattoo ink removal was done by destroying the skin containing the ink. The skin would be burned, frozen, or excised surgically. The use of Q-Switched lasers has effectively diminished the abrasive nature of tattoo removal with successful results and is now a commonly used method for tattoo removal.

What do you use to remove a tattoo? Aside from laser treatment surgery's, other popular methods include the use of ointments and creams in a systematic fashion.

Unfortunately, not all tattoos can be removed completely, but the majority can be. Tattoos are meant to be lasting and with current ink technology and skilled tattoo artists improving their skills, tattoos imprinted in the last decade are very hard to remove. Even with the best technique, some lingering scarring may stay behind in a a small amount of cases.

Tattoo removal lasers deliver a gentle beam of light that is absorbed by particular color of the tattoo ink. The ink gets broken down into tiny particles which are gradually removed through the body's lymphatic system. The tattoo magically fades away with each consequent treatment.

A normal laser tattoo removal requires many treatments. Amature tattoos are easier to remove then professional, multicolor ones. Other factors that determine treatment efficacy include: Tattoo colors, the type of ink used and your body's individual response.