Disappearing Ink
Disappearing Ink
January 18, 2008
Cayman Net News
Do you have a tattoo?
Many people today do. Studies show that one in seven adults now sport one or more tattoos. Television shows like TLCÌs ÏMiami Ink,Ó ÏLA Ink,Ó and A&EÌs ÏInkedÓ have taken tattooing out of the realm of bikers, rock stars and rebellious teenagers and have illustrated that itÌs a mainstream form of self expression.
ÏTattoos were once considered ÎdeviantÌ behavior,Ó says Myrna Armstrong, EdD, a professor at the School of Nursing, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. ÏMany older people may still think thatÌs the case. But younger people, however, view body art as a form of decoration and self-expression.Ó
Through the years tattooing has remained a way of expressing identity so that individuals may feel unique. But as more and more people go under the needle, tattoos lose some of their mystique and appeal; tattooed people are no longer standing out in society, so to speak. Other people feel theyÌve simply outgrown their tattoos, and they donÌt mean as much to them as they once did. As a result, tattoo removal has grown in popularity.
Disappearing Act
For the hundreds of people who have tattooed a girlfriend or boyfriendÌs name on their body only to be jilted in love, the technology of tattoo removal proved a welcome relief. Dermatologists throughout the U.S. say that anywhere from 15 to 50 percent of people who get tattoos later regret them. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) reported that laser tattoo removal procedures were up 17 percent between 2001 and 2005. In 2005 alone, approximately 55,000 procedures were performed.
Removing a tattoo is far more expensive and involved than getting one in the first place; itÌs not simply, Ïzap and the tattoo is history.Ó The end result of tattoo removal can also be scarring and some residual ink coloring. That is why if anyone is on the fence as to whether to tattoo, they should seriously take these factors into consideration. Still, new innovations in laser tattoo removal continue to streamline the process for those who simply have outgrown the tattoo novelty or find that a tattoo is negatively interfering with relationships or career opportunities.
In the past, the only options for removing tattoos were dermabrasion and excision, neither particularly effective, and both often painful. Today, pigment-specific lasers can erase more colors than before. Keep in mind that some colors, such as black, blue, red, and purple are easier than other colors to remove. Yellows and greens are some of the more difficult. The process also takes time. Many patients have to have a laser procedure roughly five to seven times to see an obvious lightening of the tattoo. Some require up to 15 sessions. In the end, a tattoo will be considerably removed, but there will be some faint reminders of the artwork that once resided on the skin.
New ink technology is also being developed for those who want a tattoo but may want to remove it later. The ink is made to basically disintegrate and be instantly absorbed by the body through the lymphatic system.
Risks With Removal
Every medical procedure poses some risk, as is the case with tattoo removal. Scarring and infection are some of the more common outcomes. Generally, laser removal is relatively safe. The risk of infection is low if you follow your doctorÌs instructions after treatment. Conditions like hyperpigmentation (the skin in the affected area becoming darker than usual) or hypopigmentation (the skin in the affected area becoming lighter than usual) can also occur.
Reduce the risk of complications and improve the odds of a successful tattoo removal by researching and checking out reputable clinics, with doctors who specialize in this field of dermatologic work.
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