Monday, August 30, 2010

Tattoo Removal - Everything You Need to Know

When you were 17, the thought of having an enormous heart with the words "I Love Amy's Squishy Fat Boobs & Butt" tattooed underneath in the middle of your right forearm seemed like a fantastic idea. But now that you're 35 and about to get married to - surprise - someone who's skinny and whose name isn't Amy, the idea doesn't sound as great as it once did.

While more and more people are having tattoos - it's estimated that at least 10 million Americans flaunt them - more and more people are also desperately trying to get rid of them. And these days, whether you're about to start a conservative new job, marry a tattoo-hater or simply because your tastes have changed, getting rid of that old tattoo isn't as difficult as you might think.

While the results are not always 100 percent, most people are happy that they opted for removal after the end result has completely healed. So what have you got to lose - expect an enormous Def Leppard scrawled in Celtic script above a skull-and-crossbones on your lower back?

What is a Tattoo?

Tattoos are one way in which we humans seek - or sought - to beautify ourselves. They are simply markings on the skin made with indelible ink once the top layer of the dermis is broken open, or ruptured. Time was when all tattoos were put on with needles; these days, an electric machine is often used.

Tattoos have been around for - literally - thousands of years, dating all the way back to a 5,200-year-old completely frozen mummy dubbed The Iceman. While many people think of prison affiliations, sailors, gangs and hippies when they think of tattoos, some cultures still use them today as an important affiliation tool, such as the Ta Moko Maori facial and body tattoos.

Whether or not a tattoo can be taken off completely depends on a variety of factors, including how big the tattoo is, what type and color of pigment was used, the professionalism of the person who made it, the age of the tattoo and the individual's natural skin color.

Types of Tattoo Removal

Three types of tattoo removal are most commonly used. They are:
Surgical Excision
Dermabrasion
Laser Tattoo Removal

Surgical Excision. This type used to be the most common, and is still used in cases where the tattoo appears difficult to remove, or will work best being surgically removed by a medical professional. Your surgeon will cut off the offending pattern, then sew up the wound with stitches.

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