Tattoo Removal in Chula Vista CA

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Tattoo removal
Tattooing is done by injecting colored pigments into skin. Once tattoo pigments are injected in skin they usually become permanent. The majority of tattoos are created by professionals at tattoo salons or parlors. At the same time, many tattoos are applied by amateurs with the help of India ink and a needle or a toothbrush.  Besides the obvious reasons of removing tattoos for career enhancement, there are aesthetic reasons why many people elect to remove tattoos. As skin ages, tattoos tend to fade and deform. A tattoo that once was shown with pride may lose its attractiveness and, in some cases, even become an embarrassment The amount of time it takes to remove your tattoo will depend largely on how your tattoo was applied. If you have a newer tattoo or one that has been retraced, it will most probably be more difficult to remove because the pigment will be denser than an older tattoo.

The color used to create your tattoo also has an impact on how easy or difficult it will be to remove. A tattoo made with many different colors is usually more difficult to remove than a tattoo made with just one color. Be prepared to undergo several treatments in order to completely remove your tattoo. This is especially true if your tattoo contains unusual colors. Each of these tattoo removal  treatments is usually spaced about six to eight weeks apart.

Laser tattoo removal is a safe and effective method. It is less painful than getting a tattoo. Lasers remove tattoos by breaking up the pigment colors of the tattoo with a high-intensity light beam.  The pigment is then absorbed by the body.   The more laser treatments you have, the more the laser can penetrate to wipe away the ink.  The number of treatments required will depend on whether the tattoo is professional or amateur. Amateur tattoos are more easily removed; however, with any tattoo you will see a lightening after every treatment. Once the tattoo has been successfully removed the result is permanent.  Overdoing the laser treatments can cause damage to your skin and eventually lead to scarring. The laser type, number of sessions and the patient's body ability to rid itself of the ink are factors that can determine the outcome of the procedure. Sometimes there are no traces of scarring but it really depends on the situation. Depending on your tattoo, you may need anywhere from 1-10 sessions. Each laser treatment takes only a few minutes to complete. Furthermore, the pigment will never return after it is removed. After laser tattoo removal, there is some redness and mild blistering like a sunburn. This resolves in 3-7 days.

 To prevent infection, clean the area with soap and water every day. In addition, be sure to cover it with non-stick bandages and ointment when going outside in order to protect it from the sun. The wound should be completely gone seven to ten days after the procedure. It can take a few weeks or even a few months, however, for the pigment of the tattoo to fade away completely. You will be able to resume your usual activities immediately following treatment.

Working with low energy lasers minimizes the risk of burning, scarring or pigmentation. Conclusive research shows high levels of tattoo removal and high patient satisfaction. The laser's light energy is absorbed into the artificial ink of the tattoo. This breaks it down into particles whereby the cells carry it away. With each treatment the tattoo becomes successively lighter and is gradually removed.

The length of the procedure is 5 - 10 minutes, depending on the size of the tattoo.
No anesthesia is needed, and the procedure is done on an outpatient basis.

Temporary Side Effects:
The sensation is unique to each individual; some describe a slight warm sensation while others notice a warmer hotter stinging feeling. Any discomfort felt ceases at the end of the treatment. Occasionally patients may notice mild blistering that usually fades without scarring.

Recovery:
A mild reddening & warmth is the most common effect. This normally lasts a few hours to a few days. Occasionally red spots are visible that fade completely and do not scar.

Risks:
Mild tracking or hypo-pigmentation of the skin.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)
IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light Therapy is an effective tattoo removal treatment that targets intense light onto the upper layer of the skin basically burning it off. The treatment stimulates new skin growth, and when the treated area heals, the tattoo is usually much less noticeable than before. This method is said to be not as painful as laser therapy, and more effective, resulting in less treatment sessions. It usually takes 10-12 months after the treatment for full results to show. The cost of IPL is based on the number of pulses your tattoo requires to be removed.

Excision
Excision involves removing the tattooed area of skin and then stitching it closed. This method is more ideal for smaller tattoos, however can still be used on larger ones. Excision method of tattoo removal helps in complete removal of smaller tattoos. For larger tattoos, the skin is removed and a skin graft from another part of the body is used to cover the area. In this method local anesthesia is applied to numb the area after which the tattoo is removed surgically. The edges are then brought together and stitched and there is minimal bleeding.

Dermabrasion or Salabrasion is a surgical procedure where the surgeon uses a sanding tool to go over the skin in order to rub off the top layers of the skin to reveal fresh skin beneath. Local anesthesia is used during the treatment. When the procedure is over, the skin appears to be red in color and is tender. It usually takes the skin a few weeks to heal. This procedure is not recommended if the patient is prone to scarring. If the patient is prone to hyper or hypo-pigmentation as well, then this procedure is not highly recommended. This technique often does not remove all of the pigment from the skin.

It is important to note that many cases of tattoo removal have resulted into scars, skin diseases and wounds. All this depends on several factors including size, location, individual's healing process or system, how the tattoo was applied and how long the tattoo had been on the skin. Methods chosen by the physician depends upon many factors. The method that the physician chooses will depend upon the size of the tattoo and its location as well as the length of time it has been on the skin. Usually, fading of the tattoo is the best result that can be accomplished. Sometimes the tattoo will disappear.

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