Beauty Series: Tattoo Removal

A tattoo is a permanent mark on the body, where a color is inserted into the dermal layer of the skin. People have tattoos for a variety of reasons such as peer pressure, a sign of love to someone or just as an impulse; they convey a meaning, make a strong statement or show allegiance to a certain group.

Reasons for tattoo removal

Tattoos can be removed but, others are more easily removed than others due to the difference in type, size or pigment. people may want to remove a tattoo due to various reasons such as embarrassment, dissatisfaction with its outcome, when it fades with time or looses shape or if it may prevent you from getting a promotion in your career.

Modern day tattoos are applied using an electric tattoo machine which punctures the skin using needles with an up and down motion.

Methods used in tattoo removal

There are several effective methods of tattoo removal,

1. Dermabation, a process where the skin is sanded to remove the surface and middle layers 2. Cryosurgery, a process where an area is frozen prior to its removal 3. Excision, where the tattoo is removed with a scalpel, surgically and the area is patched up with stitches. 4. Lasers (light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation). This is the modern and standard way of tattoo removal because it is bloodless, low risk with minimal side effects. The type of laser used to remove a tattoo depends on a tattoo's pigments. Three lasers developed specifically for tattoo removal use a technique known as Q- switching which are the laser's short, high energy pulses. These are; the Q-switched Ruby, the Q-switched Alexandrite and the Q-switched Nd: YAG which is the newest. Lasers produce short pulses of intense light which pass harmlessly through the top layer of the skin to be absorbed by the tattoo pigment. The laser causes the tattoo pigment to fragment into smaller particles which can be removed by the body's immune system.

Laser hair removal

This method of removing hair is preferred by many people though it is expensive because it has guaranteed results. There are various side effects that are associated with this method of removing hair, this includes; redness in the area where it is being applied, dark-skinned individuals may develop blisters, swelling for up to 3 days, pain, feeling of numbness and tingling.

Avoiding the side effects

To avoid the above side effects, get all the information on the treatment and the salon giving the treatment, discuss with the clinic professionals about your skin and its sensitivity, and at least two months before getting the treatment.