Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Center of Houston, Texas

Tattoos are injections of colored ink into the skin, resulting in permanent decorative images. Some people have one small tattoo, while others literally cover their body, to symbolize their love of something, or someone. Others get tattoos because they think they look cool, or to show off. There are many reasons why people choose to decorate their skin with tattoos. On the flip side, there are many reasons why people choose to remove the tattoo.

Here is a typical scenario: There are those who believe they are in love and decide to get a tattoo with the name of that person, symbolizing their love, only to break up with that person. And then what happens? They are permanently stuck with the name of someone who is no longer a part of their lives. Or are they? Advancements in cosmetic surgery offer various tattoo removal techniques as a solution to get rid of those now unwanted decorations on the skin.

With the increasing popularity of various cosmetic surgery procedures, including tattoo removal, it is imperative that the prospective patient research and understand different issues like what the procedure can and cannot treat, inherent risks, costs, and other considerations. Keep in mind, cosmetic surgery is just that � a surgical procedure whose results cannot simply be erased. While the information contained in this website will provide you with a good introduction to tattoo removal, when considering this procedure, or any other cosmetic surgery procedure, we recommend that you consult a qualified provider with significant experience. Some important elements you should understand regarding tattoo removal include the following:

Who is an ideal candidate for this procedure?

There are many reasons why a person wants to have a tattoo removed. Even though reasons vary from person to person, here are some examples:

Outgrowing original reasons for wanting the tattoo.
Starting a new job and would like to clean the skin�s appearance.
Regretting or embarrassed about a certain tattoo on your body.

However these reasons are not the only factors that determine a qualified candidate for tattoo removal. A patient should have realistic goals and expectations for the procedure, and must be in good physical and mental health. Patients must first consult with a specialist, either a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist and should think carefully about their expectations and discuss them with the doctor.

Types of Tattoo Removal:

Various methods are used to remove a tattoo. The effectiveness of the removal depends on the depth of the ink and the types and colors of inks used. Here is a brief description of the more common methods:

Excision: This is where the surgeon surgically removes the skin.
Dermabrasion: Dermabrasion involves the scraping of skin to remove the tattoo.
Laser: Multiple laser treatments can be applied to break up the tattoo ink within the skin.
Salabrasion: This is a relatively older method, where the area is literally rubbed very aggressively with salt or a salt sanding block.

If you would like to know more about other tattoo removal methods, please ask your cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist.

How is tattoo removal performed?

How the tattoo is removed depends upon the procedure. Here are descriptions of those listed above:

Excision: For a small tattoo, excision involves removing the tattooed area of skin and then stitching it closed. For a larger tattoo, the skin is removed and a skin graft from another part of the body is used to cover the area.
Dermabrasion: Dermabrasion uses a rotary abrasive tool to sand off the layers of the skin, thus obliterating the tattoo.
Laser: The surgeon can control the width of the laser beam as well as the wavelength (or color) of the light. Different wavelengths are used to destroy different colors of ink. Precise focusing makes it possible to eliminate the tattoo without damaging the surrounding skin.

Salabrasion: Salabrasion is an age-old procedure where salt water is applied to the surface and a sanding device is used to abrade the area. These alternatives are often painful and prone to scarring.

Two to six treatments are usually needed, depending on the size of the tattoo. The treatment is relatively painless. Patients have described the sensation like a lightly stretched rubber band snapped against the skin. Afterwards, the treated area may feel somewhat like a mild sunburn. The tattoo fades as the area heals, usually disappearing completely within a month or two. Not all tattoos, however, can be removed completely and leave just a shadow.

What does it cost to get a tattoo removed?

The costs of tattoo removal, primarily depends upon the type of procedure. Unfortunately, in any case, the costs of having a tattoo removed are a lot more than the costs of getting the tattoo. Costs can vary depending upon the size of the tattoo. For laser removal, according to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, treatment varies from $100 for a small, single-color tattoo with removal in one to two sessions to $500 per treatment to remove larger, multicolored body art in as many as eight visits. And these costs are per session. Costs also vary depending on whether anesthesia is used or not, the geographic location of the procedure, and other associated costs. Click here for our tattoo removal pricing.

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