There is a story behind every tattoo. Ink can be used to celebrate an achievement, commemorate a loss, artistic expression, or the result of a thoughtless decision. While the reasons for wanting to get a tattoo are varied, the reasons for wanting to get rid of it are simpler. Some people choose to have their tattoos removed just because they remind them of a period they want to forget. According to a study published in the Archives of Dermatology in July 2008, tattoo removal is linked to the wearer’s desire to “detach from the past and enhance a sense of self-identity.”
Just as getting a tattoo is a painful process that requires you to endure the sensation of repeatedly piercing the surface of your skin with a sharp needle, discoloration also requires a lot of effort. According to Andrea Catton Laser Clinic, there are several procedures that can make tattoos disappear, from laser treatment to salabrasion (using salt, water and an abrasive device to remove the top layers of the skin) and microdermabrasion.
However, there are rumors that there is a non-invasive way to remove tattoos: tattoo removal creams. Tattoo removal creams containing bleach claim that the ink will discolor. If that sounds too good to be true, here’s what experts have to say about the formula and effectiveness of tattoo removal creams.
Applying topical creams cannot completely erase your tattoo. According to LaserAll, tattoo removal creams contain active ingredients such as trichloroacetic acid (TCA), which exfoliates the outer layers of the skin, and hydroquinone, a bleaching agent that can whiten the tattoo area. These creams only exfoliate the top layer of the skin, the epidermis. But since tattoo ink often penetrates the inner layer of the skin called the dermis, using these creams will at best help the tattoo fade.
Also, the bleaching and exfoliating properties of tattoo removal creams can have serious side effects, especially for people with darker skin. Hydroquinone can cause inflammation, discolour the skin and leave a permanent light mark at the site of application.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Robin Gmirek notes that TCA is only approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for office use by healthcare professionals, and Birdie says trying to use any product containing it at home can be problematic. . In fact, according to FDA dermatologist Dr. Markham Luke, there is currently no “do-it-yourself” approved (via the FDA) tattoo removal cream.
Although more painful, effective ways to remove tattoos are laser surgery and surgical removal by a healthcare professional, Heathline says.
Using concentrated light waves, laser surgery breaks the ink into smaller pieces, making them easier for the immune system to remove. The duration and cost of laser tattoo removal surgery will vary depending on the size and location of the tattoo to be removed. The larger and more detailed your tattoo, the more laser sessions you will need and the higher the total cost will be. Most people may need six to eight times to completely remove a tattoo (according to the Institute of Dermatology and Skin Cancer).
A treatment that requires only one course of treatment is surgical excision. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, surgical removal involves cutting out the tattoo with a scalpel when the surrounding skin is numb from anesthesia. However, after the anesthesia wears off, this procedure can cause significant scarring and pain, so it is more suitable for smaller tattoos.
When it comes to tattoo removal, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment. The size, detail, and type of ink are all factors influencing the success of a treatment. If you are interested in tattoo removal, talk to your doctor about which treatment is best for you.
Post time: Aug-26-2022