Disappearing Ink

So, you’re thinking about tattoo removal?

Have you fallen out of love with an old tattoo? Or should your brow tattoo have been left in the 2010’s? it happens and It happens a lot! 70% of all people who have had a tattoo, have tattoo regret.

So, what are your options? And what treatment will give you the best results possible?

Well, read further my friend, in this blog I’ve discussed a few of the removal options on the market today, how they work and the pros and cons of each treatment.

Before we take a look at your options It’s important to note that not every treatment will result in the outcome that you want.

To understand the best method to remove your tattoos you must understand how tattoo inks and the removal process work together.

So, let’s take a deeper look into what exactly are tattoo inks?

Tattoo inks are a solution made up of a carrier and a colorant.

The colorants come from crude materials, they are milled into a powder and broken down into Nano particles.

Certain colours are produced from carbon (carbon black) and iron oxides (white) however there are over 200 colorants and additives used to produce tattoo inks.

The carrier is the liquid is the solution that forms the consistency of the ink. Some of the carriers currently used are witch hazel, water and isopropyl alcohol.

So, you’re probably wondering why is this important and how does the make-up of inks effect the removal process?

The size of the Nano particles means that the implantation of the ink is much more successful and the removal process generally has great outcomes with treatments such as laser.

However, the size of the particles also brings with it a whole range of risks like migration under the skin, the pigment clustering over time resulting in the forming of granulomas which require a different method of removal.

Red inks have a much higher risk of allergic reaction. It is believed that a chemical compound of Red breaks forms after months or years and is the cause of the reactions.

Red is also a very hard colour to treat with lasers the Nano particles are much larger than black therefore harder to break down.

Red requires a lot more sessions and, in some cases, is not responsive at all.

It is also important to note that if you are seeking removal because of a suspected allergic reaction to any of the ink,s thenthe laser is not an option for you. The result could be anaphylaxis and even death.

So now you have a bit of an understanding as to what inks are, let’s take a look at your options.

Saline removals

The concept of saline removal is pretty straightforward; the pigment is removed the same way it went in. by tattooing the saline solution in the area, the saline draws out the pigment over time and is removed via the healing process.

Saline is very effective on permanent makeup however it is a process, and several treatments will be needed to obtain optimum results.

Saline removal can remove all colours of tattoo ink, including reds.

Sounds amazing, right? Well, it is a fantastic method of removal; however,r as this method focuses on breaking the skin it can also cause scarring to the area so maintaining proper aftercare is crucial.

Does it hurt? 4/10 If you can handle the tattoo, you can handle saline removal.

Laser removals

Laser Removals has a reputation for being the most successful and cost-effective way to remove tattoos.

How does the laser work? As mentioned above, inks are just a bunch of Nano partiNanoparticlesinto the skin with a carrier.

The laser works by targeting these particles and breaking them down to be absorbed into the body and then expelled naturally as waste.

Most systems available these days are very effective on black ink however cannot target reds or oranges anywhere near as well.

Therefore laser is a commitment, you will need to have several treatments spaced apart over several months to get the desired result.

Does it hurt? 5/10 feels like a flick of a rubber band can also have a burning sensation that will require aftercare to soothe the area.

Surgical Removal

Surgical removal or excision tattoo removal is the most extreme method of tattoo removal.

This method is usually reserved for people who have had a reaction to the inks used or resulted in the forming of granulomas at the tattoo site.

The method used for excision involves slicing or cutting open the skin, removing the tattoo, and stitching it back together.

This method is by far the most invasive however is the only method for completely removing all of the tattoos.

Does it hurt? This method is performed using a local anesthetic on small tattoos or general on larger areas. Healing times will vary depending on the person and the case for removal.

To conclude if you are considering tattoo removal due to granulomas, skin disorders, or allergic reactions then surgical removal may be your only option.

If you would like to lighten old permanent makeup or small tattoos of all colors then saline removal is fantastic and If you have a large tattoo that you would like lightened to have a new piece of art tattooed over the top or completely removed then the laser is your go-to.

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