Tattooing has been a usual thing in some societies. People find it to be a way of expressing themselves and sometimes, a sign of rebellion. However, general statistics show than more than 40 percent of people regret it and wish to have it removed. Yet, removing unwanted image which has been permanently attached to your skin might not be a simple procedure. Although laser therapy is said to be able to perform it, the tattoo will not be able to be completely removed. With tattoo removal procedure, as with tattooing practices come some risks.

Tattoo removal procedures

Tattooing practices have been widely performed, while tattoo removal procedures has also been practiced significantly. For years, there are some methods believed to be able to make permanent tattoos less visible, as removing them completely and permanently is not possible. These are some methods which are commonly used:

1. Removing tattoos using salt. This is done by rubbing salt onto your tattooed skin, called salabrasion practice. This is believed to be able to heat the skin up and scrape the upper layer of the skin, eventually lessen the tattoo visibility. Salabrasion is one of the ancient method which has not been verified to be effective. However, this cannot be considered a safe method, since it may cause scrapes and abrasions, and thus, makes the skin prone to infection.
2. Tattoo removal creams. Tattoo removal creams can also be found in the market when a less painful method is desired. Yet, this is really expensive and may be ineffective, too. Some tattoo removal creams claim to be able to fade the tattoo within 9 months with regular application. Yet, it has to be concerned that these creams might cause irritation to those with over-sensitive skin.
3. Cryosurgery, which is done by freezing the tattoo and burning it off with nitrogen. This procedure might be very painful and cause blisters.
4. This method will be sanded down to reveal the skin beneath it, which is not affected by the tattoo. This might be effective to some people. Yet, this method is likely to cause hypo-pigmentation or scarring to those with sensitive skin.
5. Laser surgery. This is the most updated method, which is also the most costly one. Although this is considered as the most effective tattoo removal procedure, some people experience some side effects, including severe scars or over-dry skin.

Does laser tattoo removal cause keloids

Laser has been used for some time in tattoo removal. This is said to be the most effective method, since it is able to lessen the visibility to many kinds of tattoos. Despite the cost, many people give this method a try, hoping for thorough tattoo removal. However, no tattoo removal is guaranteed to remove the tattoo completely, including costly laser therapies. Laser tattoo removal is done using a Q-switch laser, which will shoot laser onto the tattooed skin, breaking down the ink into smaller pieces, which can be absorbed by the body. This will eventually fade the tattoo visibility. Tattoo removal using laser is not a painless experience. It affects the inner skin layer which can be responded as strange intervention and induces the body to produce immune system to fight it. As the result, some people experience severe scarring after the performed procedure. If you are a person who are susceptible to keloid, these scars may definitely develop into it. Keloids from laser tattoo removal is resulted from excessed collagen which is excreted by the body to treat the changes in skin structure after treatment. Hyperpigmentation is also a common issue with laser tattoo removal. However, those who are not susceptible to keloids rarely experience this. Instead, they develop blisters or crust which are located on the treated skin. Thus, if you are susceptible to scarring and keloids—you have the history in your family or already have one on your body, it is better to avoid laser tattoo removal procedure, or better, avoid having a tattoo done at all. Tattoo removal is a complicated procedure since it may cause various side effects based on your tattoo’s size and depth, skin types, and skin sensitivity. Hence, it should be reconsidered under a dermatologist’s supervision.