Tattoos were originally used for religious rituals or as symbolisms of
particular groups. Through time, tattoos have become a common form of body art.
However, some people later regret receiving the tattoos and seek ways to remove
them. Tattoos tend to be very difficult to remove after they are created. Laser
removal technique is a common approach to the problem, but, there is no
guarantee of a complete removal.
Tattoo removal already appeared back in Egyptian time. The laser removal
technique became popular in 1980s (Howstuffworks, 2007). Before 1980s, there
were several methods to removed tattoos; however, all of them left scars and
marks on the skin. Most of them involved bleeding and caused great pain. Most
times combinations of the following techniques are used in one tattoo removal
surgery.
A. Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is the procedure in which the surgeon sprays a solution that
freezes a portion of the tattoo. (Contemporary Health Communications, 2000) The
surgeon then uses a rotary tool to make the skin peel to achieve the goal of
the Dermabrasion removal.
B. Excision
Excision is the procedure in which the surgeon uses the scalpel to remove
the tattoo and then uses stitches to close the wound. (Contemporary Health
Communications, 2000) The advantage of this technique is it assures the tattoo
(Contemporary Health Communications, 2000) removed completely. Small
size tattoo removal applies to this technique very well. If the tattoo size is
large, surgeons needs to start from the center and work
on outer parts stage by stage in later days. This technique requires anesthetic
during the removing process. The disadvantage is it causes bleeding easily.
C. Salabrasion
Salabrasion is the procedure in which the surgeon anesthetizes around the
area that needs to be removed and put solution of tap water and table salt.
Then the surgeon uses a abrading instrument to abrade the area vigorously until
the area becomes red in color.
The Procedure of Tattoo Removal
The way the removal works is that the laser produces short period of
intense light that can pass through epidermis and membrane until reaching Skin
layers with laser removing inserted pigments dermis
(Howstuffworks, 2007). (Cockeyed.com, 2004) Different colors of pigments have
different absorbance of wavelength range.
The energy of the laser is absorbed by the pigments and the structure of the molecules is broken apart into smaller pieces of fragments that will be cleaned off by human’s immune system. For example, the dark inks absorb energy better than the light inks so that the dark inks are easier to be removed. A well-tuned laser is required in the removal procedure for break apart the pigments molecule since it can prevent the skin cells from burning or leaving a scar on the skin. Otherwise, the skin cell around it may be also destroyed during the process.
The energy of the laser is absorbed by the pigments and the structure of the molecules is broken apart into smaller pieces of fragments that will be cleaned off by human’s immune system. For example, the dark inks absorb energy better than the light inks so that the dark inks are easier to be removed. A well-tuned laser is required in the removal procedure for break apart the pigments molecule since it can prevent the skin cells from burning or leaving a scar on the skin. Otherwise, the skin cell around it may be also destroyed during the process.
The light of laser varies based on the wavelength of the photons that are
released. (Cockeyed.com, 2004) The range of laser can be form ultraviolet to
visible light to infrared, and some of them are tunable. The first use of laser
on the tattoo removal was in early 1960s. The laser burnt too well that left a
big scar and baked inks on the skin. In 1965, Dr. Leon Goldman started his
report of the interaction between the laser and the pigment inserted in dermis.
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