Tattoo removal

Almost healed after second laser section

Removal by surgical excision. Procedure by Emilio Gonzalez

Tattoo removal can be performed through a variety of methods, but the procedures are quite expensive, and the results are usually not satisfactory, often leaving some ink as well as scarring.

Tattoo removal methods

Surgical Excision

the physical removal of the tattooed skin.

Laser

breakdown of the ink using a intensely focused light. Laser tattoo removal is presently the most common form of removal offered today. The process works extremely well on dark tattoos for people with light colored skin. Unfortunately, when tattoo inks are similar to skin pigmentation, permanent light spots might develop. This is especially true when the client has dark skin. Laser removal is also considered to be much more painful than a tattoo, and often requires multiple sessions worth hundreds of dollars. It is not uncommon for laser removal to also leave a slight scar where the tattoo was as well. Overall this is not a procedure to be taken lightly.

Tissue Expansion

is a method where a balloon is inserted and inflated under the skin to slowly stretch the flesh. The tattoo is then cut out and the newly stretched skin covers its place. This is a popular method for removing smaller tattoos and leaves only a straight-line surgical scar.

Salabrasion

rubbing the image with salt and "sanding" it out.[1] It can cause scarring and skin discoloration.

Again - tattoo removal is very expensive and far from perfect. Please think long and hard about what you want tattooed before you do it!