- Laser treatment is one popular tattoo removal method. The laser breaks down the ink particles in the skin into fragments, which are carried by "scavenger" skin cells away from the tattoo site. This results in less tattoo pigment and a gradual fading of the tattoo. However, laser removal does not always completely remove the tattoo, especially if the ink has been embedded deeply, and some pigment may remain. In addition, you may need 6 to 10 treatments before a tattoo is "removed." Fortunately, the laser treatment is only slightly uncomfortable, and considerably less painful than getting the tattoo.
- This removal treatment involves skin exfoliation with a topically applied acid. The acid penetrates the skins almost immediately, and a blistering occurs. This blistering eventually causes peeling of the skin, similar to that of an old sunburn, and the tattoo gradually fades with repeated treatments.
- Topical creams use pigment-lightening ingredients to fade and remove tattoos. The ingredients cause a reaction in the skin that breaks down pigment into fragments. These fragments rise to the surface as the skin regenerates, causing flaking and gradual removal of the tattoo.
- This invasive method involves removing the skin on the site of the tattoo and is performed by a medical professional. This method, often performed along with skin grafts, is used for removing larger tattoos with deeply embedded ink.
- Salabrasion, or salt-scrubbing, is a method of aggressive exfoliation and can cause mild to severe discomfort. A local anaesthetic is used, and healing usually takes several days. Salabrasion, however, cannot remove deeply injected ink.
- In this method, a rotating brush removes the pigmented skin. Dermabrasion can remove most professional tattoos, unless the ink has "migrated" into the deep layers of fat in the skin.
