Tattoo Removal Creams and Injections
People may want to remove their tattoos for any number of reasons: getting it in the first place was just an act of youthful rebellion, the tattoo has lost its sharpness and shape or it might be located somewhere obvious that it is hindering you from getting certain jobs. Traditionally, tattoo removals were accomplished through painful surgeries or laser treatments, but topical fading creams and cream injections are becoming more popular methods of removing unwanted tattoos. Does this Spark an idea?
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Topical Fading Creams
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Topical creams aimed at fading tattoos can either be administered by a professional or done in the privacy of your own home. These creams work to gradually break down the pigments in a tattoo, which the body absorbs. The tattoo should fade over time after successive treatments. This procedure basically speeds up the human body's natural process of pushing out a foreign object, which in this case would be tattoo ink.
Cream Injections
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As of June 2010, tattoo removal cream injections is a relatively new method to get rid of unwanted tattoos. This treatment, available at some skin clinics, is conducted by injecting the removal cream under the tattoo, which allows it to bind together pigments of the tattoo and push the ink up to the surface of the skin. The skin will begin to reject the combination of cream and ink as it heals, forming a scab, which should drop off after two or three weeks.
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Benefits and Drawbacks
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Fading creams are the least expensive and least painful way to remove tattoos and it is the only method that doesn't risk scarring. However, this method does take patience as clear results could take several weeks. There is also the risk of skin irritation from topical tattoo removal creams and skin discoloration.
Many opt for tattoo removal cream injections, as it is less painful than laser surgery and also less expensive. Injections are also effective in removing any color tattoo. However, a highly skilled practitioner is needed to administer this method, which requires several sessions separated by lengthy intervals. Another drawback is that if this method is used to remove a large or deep-seated tattoo, the process can become time-consuming and costly.
Other Tattoo Removal Methods
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Surgical removal of tattoos, or an excision, involves a doctor cutting away the tattoo with a scalpel before stitching up the wound. This is a highly effective method of removing tattoos, although it is painful and requires some recovery time.
During laser treatments, surgeons remove tattoos by targeting pigments with a high-intensity laser beam. Lasers offer a low-risk, highly effective way to remove tattoos with minimal side effects, but multiple treatments be be needed.
Intense pulsed light therapy treatment is similar to laser treatment as it focuses a beam of light onto the tattoo to remove the top layer of skin. By burning away the surface layer of skin, new skin growth is promoted, which results in tattoos fading over multiple treatments.
Dermabrasion involves a doctor sanding down layers of the skin to help raise and absorb tattoo inks. This is also a painful method that could cause scarring.
Chemical peels remove tattoos by causing the skin to blister and peel off after a chemical solution is administered. Home-use chemical peel kits are available for purchase, although this isn't usually recommended and patients are encouraged to have a professional administer the treatment. Chemical peels can also potentially cause scarring, infection and permanent skin discoloration.
Warnings
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Tattoo removal treatments should not be conducted on those affected by undiagnosed lesions, warts, weeping acne, active rosacea (a skin condition characterized by flushing and red bumps), unstable diabetes, autoimmune system disorders and pigmentation problems. Those who are pregnant should also avoid tattoo removal treatments.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit tattoo image by FXTW from Fotolia.com
