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Stretched, sagging skin, fading and regret can cause tattoos to lose their appeal. Tattoo removal is designed to diminsh the appearance of tattoo body art without leaving large, unsightly scars. About Tattoo Removal
Candidates For Tattoo RemovalIs tattoo removal possible for me? For many people, the permanence of tattoos is not fully realized until they no longer find them attractive. This may be because the significance of the tattoo has diminished over time, or the effects of aging have caused the tattoo to become distorted. Sometimes, a surgical procedure, such as a tummy tuck, can result in the removal of a tattooed portion of your skin, leaving only a partial tattoo behind. In all of these cases, tattoo removal may be recommended. Virtually anyone with one or more unwanted tattoos is a candidate for tattoo removal procedures, however those prone to abnormal scarring (keloid scars or hypertrophic scars) may not be ideal tattoo removal candidates. Laser Tattoo RemovalRemoving tattoos with laser treatment As laser technology improves, laser tattoo removal is becoming an increasingly popular method for treating unwanted tattoos. Several different types of lasers are used for tattoo removal, including Q-switched Nd:YAG, Alexandrite and Ruby lasers. Lasers are designed to target pigmentation in the skin, so patients with darker or ethnic natural skin tones should seek laser tattoo removal with caution. Different tattoo ink colors also respond differently to certain types of lasers, so it is important to pursue laser tattoo removal treatment with a plastic surgeon who has significant knowledge of how each laser works with different skin and ink pigments. Practitioners who approach laser tattoo removal as a one-size-fits-all procedure can not only compromise the effectiveness of the treatment, but also cause skin damage, discoloration and burns. Dermabrasion For Tattoo RemovalUsing dermabrasion skin resurfacing for tattoo removal Dermabrasion skin resurfacing is also an effective way to remove tattoos. As the outer layers of skin are sloughed away during dermabrasion, tattoo pigmentation is also removed. As with laser tattoo removal, dermabrasion for tattoo removal involves a gradual fading process that usually requires a series of treatments to produce optimal results. Old tattoos, tattoos with blue, green or blue-green ink and tattoo ink applied deeply in skin tissues may be especially difficult to remove, so be prepared for a longer tattoo removal process in these cases. Like any skin resurfacing procedure, the risk of skin discoloration and scarring exists with dermabrasion for tattoo removal, so it is important to seek an experienced physician for tattoo removal. Recovery After Tattoo RemovalDowntime and healing after tattoo removal Following tattoo removal, your skin may be red and raw for a few days, and you may be instructed to apply an ointment or bandage to the area. As your body heals and new skin begins to grow, redness and scabbing will give way to clean, inkless skin. Sometimes, tattoos cannot be completely removed using lasers or dermabrasion and require direct excision or removal of the tattooed skin. This is usually only done in extreme cases, but when it is necessary, the recovery period may be longer than with other tattoo removal methods. No matter the removal technique used to get rid of tattoos, it is important to protect the treated area from the sun while your skin heals after each treatment. Sun exposure can cause skin discoloration and result in unsightly scarring. To achieve the best tattoo removal results, follow Dr. Motlagh's pre- and post-operative care instructions and keep your follow-up appointments at our Tyler, Texas plastic surgery office. Our location is easily accessible to patients in Dallas, Fort Worth and Plano, Texas, as well as Shreveport, Louisiana. |