Removing A Tattoo: The Best Methods And Many Tips

True works of art, tattoos are sported to adorn the individual's skin forever! However, very often changes in the state of the mind result in the desire to suppress its inkage. For example, a drawing of love for an ancient flame, which was a good idea a few years ago, is getting a little awkward today. Such situations provoke the question "How to remove a tattoo?" ". So this procedure is neither too easy to perform nor cheap. In addition, the treatment itself poses significant health risks. And in this vein, Deavita.fr will explain everything about tattoo removal: from the different methods to the many tips to take into consideration!

What should you know before removing a tattoo?

Before taking the plunge and opting for tattoo removal, it is important to first educate yourself thoroughly about the process, itself. However, good results depend on a few important factors, namely:

• The size of the inkage and the depth of the pike.
• The ink color - black is the easiest to remove.
• Location: Tattoos on the hands and feet tend to fade more slowly due to their distance to the lymph nodes.
• Age: young people have a faster metabolism.

When is tattoo removal not recommended?

In the event of pregnancy or breastfeeding, tattoo removal is strictly prohibited. Removing a tattoo during pregnancy is not a good idea at all because changes in the skin increase the risk of skin scarring. Specialists advise to wait about three months before performing this intervention. During the removal procedure, the smallest particles of the ink are dispersed throughout the body and can be transmitted to the baby through breastfeeding.

Tattoo removal is also to be avoided when it comes to a fresh tattoo because, in the end, the skin must be completely healed.

How to remove a laser tattoo?

Laser tattoo removal is the most popular and effective method. In inkage, foreign colored pigments are "embedded" in the middle layer of the skin (dermis). Lasers heat these pigments so much that they break down into small particles. If necessary, the dermatologist can first apply an anesthetic ointment to the area to be treated. The colored particles are then removed from the body tissue by the lymph and enter the blood. Then, it is the liver and the kidneys which become responsible for their complete cleansing. A laser treatment only takes a few minutes and the sensation is similar to that of a tattoo. However, many people find it too unpleasant and painful.

The type of laser used to remove a tattoo depends on the colors of the pigment. Since each color absorbs different wavelengths, different lasers are used for colored tattoos. In most cases, large multi-color inkage cannot be laser processed. Black, red and blue are the easiest hues to remove while yellow, purple and brown present difficulties.

The number of sessions varies depending on the size of the tattoo, the depth of penetration and the intensity of the color. If it is a question of removing a rather small tattoo, 5-7 sessions will be sufficient. However, larger inkages require at least 10 treatment sessions. Doctors point out that it takes 4 weeks for the affected areas to heal between the different sessions.

The prices for laser tattoo removal are quite high and mostly depend on the inkage size, number of colors used, age and so on. A small tattoo costs, for example, between 50 and 150 euros per session while the price of larger ones can reach up to 600 euros. This intervention is a private health service so the costs would not be covered by any insurance.

Although laser treatment is much safer than other methods, it is above all an intervention that "attacks" the skin. Therefore, the following symptoms may appear immediately after the session: swelling, blisters, scabs, pain, bleeding.

Surgical tattoo removal

Surgically removing a tattoo has been a method that has been practiced for decades and applied before laser treatment. It is particularly suitable for small tattoos, as these can be removed in one sitting. This method is characterized as "radical" because it involves cutting the tattoo with a scalpel, which guarantees scarring. To remedy this problem, people resort to different surgical techniques such as skin grafting, for example. This tattoo removal procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia.

For your information, surgical tattoo removal is reserved for small inkages and includes two methods. The first is only to cut out the pieces of tattooed skin while the second requires stretching the skin first so that the tattoo mark can be completely eradicated. But with proper care and good hygiene, wounds heal fairly quickly.

How to remove a tattoo using the dermabrasion method?

Dermabrasion is another form of surgical tattoo removal and is applied when the design is too large to cut out. Here, it is a question of removing the upper layer of the tattooed skin and a local anesthesia, often general, will therefore be necessary. The intervention is carried out with a brush or a rotating abrasive burr and aims, as mentioned, to abrade the upper skin layer until the color pigments are removed.

The wound takes several weeks to heal completely. This is because the colored particles are embedded in the crust formed and fall with it at the end of the healing process. This results in a scar that looks like a fourth degree burn and can stay red for months. And in order to avoid serious infections, personal hygiene is of course preferred.

Removing a tattoo by the method of cryotherapy

For your information, cryotherapy is not widely used as a tattoo removal procedure. During the procedure, the tattooed area is exposed to an extremely cold temperature. This first step is carried out by spraying with a freezing agent. Then the top skin layer dies and can be removed by dermabrasion. The whole operation is quite unpleasant and is very often performed under general anesthesia. The subsequent bubbles are reminiscent of a burn. In addition, the more intense the inkage color, the more sessions will be necessary. Although cryotherapy is much cheaper than laser tattoo removal, it is not as effective.

How to remove a tattoo by diathermy?

Diathermy is a fairly new and not so popular method that involves treating the tattoo with a high frequency electric current, the purpose of which is to destroy skin tissue. The skin is burned in a targeted manner which is associated with greater pain. Therefore, this intervention should always be performed by a doctor. Burns, scars as well as infections are highly likely and during the healing period a scab will form. Sometimes the itching can be very strong but scratching it is strictly prohibited.

Can you use creams to remove a tattoo?

Currently, there are many creams on the market that are designed to remove a tattoo painlessly and without scarring. But how does it work ? So, as a rule, the macrophages in our body, also called phagocytes, break down the foreign substances present there. Once the colors are pitted under the skin, macrophages identify them as foreign objects and degrade them via the lymphatic system. Regarding the action of creams, they must stimulate the formation of new macrophages which, in turn, will devour the pigments.

Unfortunately, tattoo removal creams are unreliable because their properties cannot "detect" all colors. So the inkage can fade a bit while still being visible. Removing a tattoo using this method can cause a lot of skin irritation accompanied by unsightly scars. Given the high price (80-100 euros per cream), this way is neither quick nor cheap.

Removing a tattoo with home remedies?

There are many methods of removing a tattoo that some people try at home. They include salt scrubs, chemical peels, lemon and honey as well as the combination of various bizarre ingredients. Deavita recommends performing tattoo removal only at the doctor's office! However, if you are completely convinced that natural remedies are the best solution, we have selected a few ideas for you. But be careful because some are among the most painful.

Lemon and Honey: Being a natural bleaching agent, lemon combines with honey, the latter renowned for its nourishing and regenerating properties on the skin, to form one of the most popular methods of homemade tattoo removal. Mix a teaspoon of lemon juice with a spoonful of honey and apply the preparation daily on the tattoo until you get the desired result.

Salt and lemon juice: Mix 100 gr of salt with 3 tablespoons of lemon juice. Rub the solution on the tattoo daily for 3 to 5 minutes with a cotton ball.

Salt Scrub : Rubbing a salt tattoo is not only painful but also meaningless. As the ink is found in the lower layer of the skin, the salt cannot indeed reach it. Additionally, this will result in a slightly faded inkage.

What care after tattoo removal?

Removing a tattoo can lead to many side effects such as infections. So proper care is extremely important. Here are just a few:

• After treatment, the skin may become red and swollen. Cool the affected areas by carefully laying down a clean towel.
• During the first 3 days it is essential to keep the wound dry. Be careful not to point the shower jet directly at the treated area and avoid swimming pools, solarium and sauna.
• Avoid clothing that causes friction.
• Laser treated skin is much more sensitive to light than before. Therefore, UV rays increase the risk of inflammation and can cause pigmentation. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid the sun after tattoo removal.
• Avoid playing sports for about a week after treatment.
• Drink 2-3 glasses of fresh pineapple juice per day as it contains many enzymes that promote the healing process.