Synonyms in a broader sense
scientifically also Tatauierung = tattoo
Introduction
There are several methods to remove tattoos. Not only because newer methods of tattoo removal have been developed and refined over time, but also because not every method is perfect for every removal. Therefore, everyone must find the individually optimal method for removing the tattoo.
Also the combination of different methods can be the best option. However, the goal of the treatment is always the same: the removal of the color particles of the tattoo. They lie as bundled color pigments embedded in the skin.
There they are surrounded by a solid collagen layer and encapsulated against the surrounding tissue. This makes a tattoo so long-lasting and resistant. A removal can be done by the following methods:
- Surgery
- Laser therapy
- Non-surgical extroverted methods without laser
Surgical removal of a tattoo
The surgical removal of the tattoo is particularly suitable for small tattoos on inconspicuous body parts. Residual pigments after a laser treatment and minimal tattoos can be removed by means of skin punching. It is particularly favorable if the tattoo has an elongated shape.
Here, the skin piece can be removed well and the skin can be sewn up well later. For medium-sized tattoos, the skin should be pre-stretched a few weeks before with the help of an expander and, if necessary, be operated in several steps (serial removal). The surgical removal of tattoos is literally a radical method, the tattoo in the operated area completely removed, but not without scars.
With good care, hygiene and dressing control, the wounds heal quickly and after about 10 to 14 days the stitches can be removed. A skin transplantation, especially for larger tattoos, is possible, but should be avoided for aesthetic reasons. The costs are about 1500 to 3000 Euro for a palm sized tattoo.
Laser therapy
Laser therapy for tattoo removal is the most common and effective method today and is also very gentle. It does not require any special skin preparation. Let us remember the structure of a tattoo: The color pigments are encapsulated in the skin and surrounded by a layer of collagen.
The light of the laser penetrates the skin and is absorbed by all color pigments. This shatters the color pigments and there is a short bursting or bursting effect, which can feel like a pinprick – similar to a tattoo – during the treatment. This principle is also called “photoselective thermolysis”.
The particles are crushed, the encapsulation dissolves and the free color parts are removed by the body’s immune system (macrophage system) via the lymphatic system. The skin areas that do not have a tattoo are not affected by the laser effect. No injuries are caused by this irradiation.
In addition, a laser in a certain wavelength bundled light that is a very high-energy light source. The skin is therefore not exposed to ionized radiation as with X-rays or UV rays. Cell changes on and in the skin are therefore not to be expected.
Regarding the course of treatment, the length of the treatment session depends on many factors and cannot be predicted exactly. However, the type and depth of pigmentation, which color was used, the quality of the tattoo and the responsiveness of the immune system all have an influence on the duration. In principle, all colors are removable.
However, colored tattoos can pose problems. Thus, the color “yellow” is difficult or impossible to remove. Also mixed and unclean colors can be problematic.
Best suited are black tattoos, because they absorb all wavelengths of light. The right choice of laser is generally crucial for the treatment. Depending on the color of the tattoo to be removed, different types of laser are used.
For dark and green colors are suitable alexandrite loaders or ruby lasers. To remove red tattoos succeeds best with a neodymium YAG laser. Only laser therapy centers that offer these laser types can completely remove colorful tattoos.
With the first laser, the fading effects are often stronger than with subsequent treatments, because now less color pigments are available to absorb the energy.Often a gray veil remains, depending on the laser type and energy absorption, a skin change (scar) appears over the tattoo. In general, depending on the skin type, superficial skin irritation and redness occurs after laser treatment, which is comparable to sunburn. Swelling and blisters can form.
These should not be scratched or opened under any circumstances. Also possible scabs should not be scratched off. After one to two weeks it falls off by itself.
After the treatment you should cool the area and disinfect it regularly for the first 2 days, avoid sports activities for one or two days, do not use creams or ointments and avoid solariums and sunbathing. If the affected area is nevertheless exposed to extreme sun, sun protection with sun protection factor 60 is recommended. Only after the third day can soothing ointments such as cortisone containing ointments (e.g. Ebenol®) be applied.
At the earliest after 28 days and after complete healing, a new session can take place. Therefore, large colored tattoos may require months of treatment. One also discusses the age of the tattoo during the treatment.
In general, it does not matter how old it is, but the older the tattoo is, the deeper the color pigments are embedded in the skin. This can increase the number of treatments needed. Usually four to six, in rare cases up to 12 are possible.
But at least 28 to 40 days after the tattoo should have passed, so that the skin has time to regenerate. During the tattoo removal process, scars from tattoos, especially from multiple stabs, may only now become visible. Other risks are also a shadow formation (hypo- or hyperpigmentation) of the skin, due to the use of an unsuitable laser for certain color pigments.
Laser therapy can also often be insufficient if color pigments have been applied improperly. A skin transplant is then often necessary and ugly scars are the consequence. Dark skinned or pre-tanned skin can show pigment spots after the treatment, but also dark skinned or Asian people can have a tattoo removed.
Depending on the pigment composition, pigment spots may remain. However, the skin pigment (melanin) is always formed anew and thus weakens any pigment disorders that may have arisen. So let’s summarize once again a favorable case for a tattoo removal: Ideal case Here is usually after three to five treatments a 100% success.
Unfavorable case: The best way to assess the course of a removal after the first treatment. All statements before are usually based on experience. The cost of a treatment depends on the size/area and the number and length of treatments.
Prices range from 50 – 250 Euro per single treatment to about 300 Euro per 20cm2. The health insurance companies do not cover these services.
- Amateur tattoo stung
- Only black color (biodegradable)
- Once and far engraved (like shading etc.
)
- Not deeply engraved
- Narrow and multiple stung tattoos
- Green, blue and yellow colors (not biodegradable)
- Very old tattoos (older than 35 years) mostly very deep engraved
- Unknown composition of the color
- On very sensitive areas (crotch, genital area, etc. )
All in all, everyone has to find the right method individually for themselves. Here again a short overview of the advantages and disadvantages of the individual methods and techniques: Non-surgical extroverted methods without laser advantages: disadvantages: Surgery Advantages: disadvantages: Laser therapy advantages: Disadvantages:
- Elimination of colors to the outside
- All colors are captured
- Pain arm
- Also for large tattoos, where surgery is not possible
- Increased demands (qualification) on the practitioner
- Wound management like after tattooing
- Complete removal of the tattoo
- Only for small tattoos useful
- Not possible on all body parts
- Scar management demanding
- Surgical intervention
- Relatively closed wound conditions
- Short duration of a treatment session
- Scar arm
- Low pain (depending on personal pain threshold)
- Fission products of the colors often contain carcinogenic amines (carcinogenic)
- Main elimination of colors via the lymph (lymph nodes)
- Relatively unsuitable for colorful tattoos
- Color change by oxidation possible
- Expensive