Special Scars: Tattoo Removal

Tattoo removal is often difficult. Successful removal of the professionally applied tattoo depends on the number of inks involved and the technique used as well as the size and area of the body being treated.

Very small tattoos on "hidden" areas of the body often best treated by simple excision and closure. A scar will result, but the scar may be less objectionable than the tattoo itself. Lasers remove the skin to below the level of the tattoo ink. Carbon dioxide lasers are used to selectively vaporize of the entire tattoo. The problem is that such methods may leave objectionable scars.

Newer YAG laser have improved the procedure. With this laser, the color of the laser light is chosen dependent upon the color of the ink. Some colors, like fluorescent yellow, are difficult to remove. The goal is to, as selectively as possible, vaporize the pigment while producing minimal damage to the skin. This laser fires a very intense light into the tattoo in a very rapid burst which heats the pigment and triggers its eruption from the skin.

The procedure time varies about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the tattoo size and the area. Topical anesthesia may be used depending on tattoo location and size. After treatment, the wound must be covered with a dressing for 24 hours and maintained in a moist environment for the next week. The risks of scarring with this laser treatment are low, but the tattoo may not be completely eradicated. Multiple treatments are usually required to obtain a further lightening of the tattoo.

Skin remodeling copper peptides (SRCPs) may help repair the skin following a tattoo removal laser treatment. Post treatment, SRCPs have been shown to help speed recovery and reduce the development of scars. For older scars, SRCPs, combined with hydroxy acids, provide a natural method to remove scar tissue and rebuild new, healthy skin.

Testimonial:
"I have something to share with everyone that seems quite fantastic, yet just may be true! I have been working almost 9 months consistently and diligently on the scar remodeling project, and of course the scar is from laser treatment for tattoo removal. The scar tissue is definitely remodeling. More and more patches of the scar are filling in with healthy, new, perfect skin...

Here is the amazing part, all of the skin that has remodeled is also completely free of any tattoo pigment. The remodeled skin pigment is exactly the same as the surrounding healthy skin. My skin tone exactly!! And, the only areas where there is still visible pigment are the areas with the thickest scarring. I don't know if this trend will continue as the remodeling process continues, all I do know is that up to this point, and there are several patches of skin that have remodeled, it has been 100% the pattern of remodeling. The tattoo pigment in the remodeled areas is no more. I have a theory that this is because the laser may have encapsulated the pigment in scar tissue.

I don't know if it would work on just a tattoo, but it is working for me. I guess I won't know for sure until it is entirely gone, but pretty AMAZING none the less." - L.L.

Special Scars: Skin Rips of Gymnasts

Special Scars: Warts