When Thinking About Tattoo Removal Worcester Clients Will Find This Information Helpful

By Rosella Campbell


Tattoos are usually a source of pride and expression for those who choose to get them, but sometimes the love for this body art fades away, and the design is no longer something to be proud of, but rather something to hide. Once this happens, the best solution is getting it removed, which can be accomplished using several different techniques. If interested in undergoing tattoo removal Worcester patients must first learn what their choices are.

Laser is the most common method used to remove unwanted tattoos. Light energy beams penetrate the skin and dissolve the ink's pigments which are then reabsorbed by the body. This approach can even successfully eliminate professional ink designs, which are typically injected deeper in the collagen fibers of the dermis.

The type of laser used for this procedure is known as a "Q-switched" laser, it delivers short, precise pulses of light which penetrate the ink molecules, breaking them down into tiny particles which will be absorbed by the cells of the skin. Three kinds of Q-switched lasers are implemented, depending on the colors of the tattoo, the Nd:YAG is used for blue, red, and black pigments, and the Ruby or Alexandrite for blue, green, and black. Brighter colors are usually harder to eliminate than duller ones.

Amateur ink work may only need two sessions or so to eliminate it, whereas professional designs can involve the use of at least two lasers and require up to twenty sessions. Some inks that contain iron-oxide compounds have the tendency to turn black when exposed to laser light, so a patch test is done first to determine if this will occur.

A topical anesthetic is applied before the laser treatment to minimize discomfort, although it is not a pain-free procedure and most patients will feel a sensation when it's being done. It may take only a few minutes or up to an hour, depending on the type and size of the tattoo. There may be minor scarring.

Another approach similar to the laser method is the Intense Pulsed Light or IPL treatment. It works by applying larger pulses of a broad spectrum light. This treatment removes the uppermost epidermal layer, which after several applications can cause the tattoo to become less visible. It is best used for larger surface areas, and will require more light pulses for more complex and deeper designs.

An older and less used technique, dermabrasion can also get rid of tattoos. A local anesthetic is injected, and the surgeon uses a machine called a dermatome to sand off the uppermost layers of the skin. Redness and tenderness in the area can be expected for several weeks, as the skin regenerates. People who scar easily may want to consider another approach.

Surgical excision is usually done as a last resort if other methods fail in eliminating the unwanted design. After applying a local anesthetic, the surgeon excises or cuts away the tattooed area of skin, rejoining the skin flaps on either side. If the design is larger, sometimes skin will from elsewhere on the body must be grafted on. More than one surgery may be necessary, and some scarring is normal.




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