New ways to remove tattoos

It is estimated that more than 20 million American have some form of tattoo on their body. Sports figures, celebrities and others are contributing heavily on one’s decision to get a tattoo. Tattoo is made by injecting ink permanently into the skin. A wide range of reasons are causing people to get a tattoo. However, some estimated 15 to 50 percent are having regrets and are reconsidering removal of their tattoos. Many consider having a visible tattoo caused them the chance to land a good job. Some want them removed because the tattoo contains misspelled words.

Tattoo removal in the past was a painful endeavor and performed using various tools. It required removal of the skin where the ink has penetrated, leaving scarred tissue. Methods of tattoo removal included dermabrasion, salabrasion, cryosurgery and excision.

Today lasers are being used to remove tattoos without pain and scarring the tissue. Laser can easily remove any color and size. Early treatment included continuous-wave lasers and today Q-switched lasers that became commercially available in 1990s are being used. It allows noninvasive removal of tattoo pigments. Some pigments such as yellow, green and fluorescent are somewhat resistant to laser treatment and as a result takes a longer healing time.