Laser tattoo removal is a process where a laser breaks up the ink inside the tattoo: the laser emits energy and penetrates the skin's layers. "The laser disrupts the ink, allowing your body to absorb it and break it down naturally," according to Dr. Tattoff -- for "tattoo off" -- a laser tattoo removal service. The pain level is minimal; supposedly, it is no worse than when you first received your tattoo. The process can take between five and 15 visits, every six to eight weeks.
Dermabrasion is a method of tattoo removal in which the doctor manually rubs the tattoo out of your skin with fine grit surgical sandpaper or a type of tool. The doctor gives you a local anesthetic to dull the pain of the procedure. This method is a bit more invasive than the laser method because you can receive scarring from the rubbing, especially if the tattoo is deep in the skin. The most suitable candidate for dermabrasion would be a patient with a small, shallow tattoo.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a tattoo removal procedure that sends light pulses through a glass prism into the tattooed area. The computer-operated light pulses break up the ink in the tattoo for the body to absorb it and for it to fade out. The doctor applies a topical anesthetic and gel, then places the glass prism over the top of the unwanted tattoo. The doctor schedules treatments every three to four weeks, and downtime after treatment is minimal.
Salibrasion is a treatment in which a doctor uses a compound of salt and water to rub the skin to remove the tattoo, and it removes the upper layers of skin. It can be very painful, and the healing time is several days. This method is also likely to scar you. It can also discolor your skin, since the upper layers will be rubbed off. A local anesthetic will subdue the pain. This method is suitable for people with a homemade or unprofessional tattoo that has not gone deep into the skin.
Saline injection treatments break up your tattoo ink in order to make your tattoo fade or become blurry. The doctor will inject your skin with needles of saline solution into the tattooed area. This method is not going to completely remove your tattoo, and the only pain you should experience is the impact of the needle onto your skin. You could consider using this method before taking a step toward one of the more invasive methods.
Excision is the process of having the doctor cut the unwanted tattoo out of your skin. After the doctor cuts your tattoo from your skin, the doctor sutures your skin with stitches. The doctor gives you a local anesthetic while your tattoo is removed. This method is the most invasive. Smaller tattoos are recommended for this process rather than a large tattoo because of the longer recovery time and scarring.