Tattoo Removal

If you didn’t believe your mom when she said that you would regret getting your beloved’s name tattooed on your arm - you are not alone.

Tattoos are an ancient tradition. In some cultures, tattooing was done for prestige and was very sacred. Today, people get tattoos in memory of loved ones, as a sign of rebellion or just to be cool.

However, tattoos can carry a number of health risks.

“If not done properly, the most common health risks are scarring, allergic reactions, and Hepatitis C,” said Dr. Ramsey Markus, an assistant professor of dermatology and director of the dermatology laser center at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. “Allergic reactions are particularly bothersome as they are often chronic, itchy and difficult to treat. Red inks are the most likely to cause allergic reactions.”

There’s no cure for Hepatitis C, which is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis C virus. Infections can occur in new tattoos, especially without appropriate after care.

A tattoo is a puncture wound, made deep in your skin, that’s filled with ink. Tattoos are long-lasting because they are injected into the dermis, the second layer of skin where the cells are stable and do not shed.

Unfortunately, it’s often more expensive to remove a tattoo than it is to get one. Dermatologists at Baylor College of Medicine are using the Medlite C6 laser, one of the safest and fastest tattoo removal lasers.

“Before the latest laser technology, the only way to remove a tattoo was surgically,” Markus said. “The tattoo would be cut out, burned off or sanded away. Salabrasion, or sanding the skin and rubbing in salt, was also effective.”

The Medlite C6 laser produces a beam of laser light that passes through the skin to break up the ink. The ink particles that are small enough are removed gradually for up to three months by the immune system. The treatment takes a few minutes depending on the size and color of the tattoo.

The number of sessions depends on the color of the ink, its density and how deep the tattoo is placed. Amateur tattoos take two to four sessions, while professional tattoos require six to 10 sessions. Black, blue and red inks are the easiest to remove, and green and yellow are the most difficult.

“Before getting a tattoo people should think about whether or not it’s worth it in the long run,” Markus said. “Some people keep their tattoos for ever, but others regret that they acted on impulse and decide to get it removed.”