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Tattoo Removal
Overview
Many people
are very passionate about their tattoos. They wear them proudly. Often they are small and discrete. Others are much more obvious. Over time, however, it is not uncommon for you feelings to
change and the tattoo is no longer desirable. A common example
is the man who is madly in love who tattoos his girlfriends
name on his arm. This is great until the relationship ends
and he marries someone else. Another example is when a tattoo
becomes a liability in the job market.
Laser tattoo removal is a good option
in the right patient who is properly educated. Lasers are
able to remove tattoos by destroying the pigment. Different
lasers emit light with different wavelengths. Each color in
a tattoo is destroyed by a specific wavelength. Different
lasers are necessary to treat different colors. Black, brown,
and blue colors respond best to lasers while red, orange,
yellow and green do not respond as well. Other factors such
as the depth of tattoo, the type of pigment used, and the
ability of the tattoo artist also play a role in how effective
the laser treatment will be.
Typically, four to six treatments are
necessary to remove a tattoo. The benefit of the laser is
that it can destroy the pigment without a scar. Typically,
however, the area treated is somewhat lighter than the surrounding
skin or is mildly scarred.
 Benefits
Previously,
the only way to remove a tattoo was to cut it out leaving
an obvious scar. With the advent of laser technology ICRS
is able to remove the tattoo with little or no scarring and
little pain. Here is a summary of the benefits:
- Removes tattoos with little or no
scars.
- Is relatively painless with no downtime.
- Does not require a surgical procedure.
- Some tattoos respond very rapidly
with essentially complete removal.
- Is very effective at removing traumatic
tattoos obtained during an accident.
Are
you a good candidate?
The best candidates for laser tattoo
removal are those with black, brown or blue tattoos. Another
good candidate is the patient who has a "traumatic tattoo. "
This patient has dirt and debris under the skin that does
not go away. Finally, someone undergoing laser tattoo removal
must be realistic. It is not possible to remove a tattoo and
make it like it was never there. There will always be a hint
that there was a tattoo. This will range from a slight lightening
of the skin to incomplete removal of the tattoo.
Dr. Cruise's philosophy regarding Tattoo Removal
 When
I examine someone who has a tattoo that he or she no longer
wants I first determine if it can be cut out with a discrete
scar. Ideally, if the tattoo is small enough, this is done
during one procedure. This often is the best way. If the tattoo
is too big is may be possible to remove it with what is called serial excisions. This means the tattoo is removed
over several procedures. Between each procedure the skin relaxes
and eventually more can be cut out. For someone who does not
what an incisional scar or the tattoo is simply too big then
laser removal is an excellent option. In fact, with black,
brown, or blue tattoos it may be the best option no matter
what as these tattoos respond quite favorably.
During a consultation, I will carefully
examine your tattoo and tell you what is and what is not possible. As pointed out above, one must be realistic. Laser tattoo
removal is an excellent option but it will not return your
skin back to the way it was prior to the tattoo. Most patients
understand this and are happy with the results.
Possible
complications
The most common complication is incomplete
removal of the tattoo. Once again this depends on the color
and type of tattoo you have. Other complications include lightening
of the skin and mild scarring. These are often a welcomed
tradeoff for the removal of the tattoo. Other complications
include hypersensitivity to the sun which is particularly
a problem for the first year after the treatments. It is important
to use sunscreen to protect your skin.
Do's
and Dont's prior to surgery
There are few do's and don't's
with laser tattoo removal. It is important to stay out of
the sun just prior and one year after treatments. Also important
is to let Dr. Cruise know if you have been on the medication
Acuteness within the past two years. This medication markedly
slows skin healing and may result in significant permanent
scarring. Other than that it is possible to come during your
lunch break, have it done, and return back to work.
Anesthesia
Usually, the area around the tattoo is
numbed with a topical cream. This markedly reduces the pain
and does not effect the patient the way IV sedation would. The cream lasts about an hour and a half. It must be applied
at least half an hour prior to the procedure and preferably
45 minutes.
After
the procedure
For the first two or three days there
will be redness and mild pain. There may also me some slight
bleeding that stops usually before you leave the office. Keep
the area clean and apply an antibiotic cream for the first
three days. Healing is usually complete within four or five
days.
Recovery
time
There really is no recovery time. Patients
often go right back to work after the treatment.
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