Hello everybody, I have a problem at hand. About five years ago I got a tattoo on my arm, it’s about 6 inches, all in letters, and in black ink. Now I desperately want to remove the tattoo, I am in the "great regret" stage. I look in the mirror and I no longer see who I used to be. Yeah, stupid, I know. :bugeye: I so want the tattoo off that at this point I am about to amputate my arm. I have checked the market for anything, but most of them are either expensive or ineffective. Any unconventional ideas would be well received and I promise to even send you some money as consolation. . Many thanks

Chatha

What does it say? A good artist might be able to convert the letters into something else.

I don't want anything on it

I believe some tattoos can be removed with laser surgery, but obviously it won't be cheap.

"They have acids that can burn that off"

Methods of Tattoo Removal

There are several excellent methods of tattoo removal available today. 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. How the patient heals may also be a factor in the decision.

Excision

Another popular method of tattoo removal especially when the dyed area is small is by excision. The advantage of this method is that the entire tattoo can be removed. With larger tattoos, however, it may be necessary to excise in stages, removing the center of it initially and the sides at a later date.

Excision involves an injection of a local anesthetic to numb the area after which the tattoo is removed surgically. The edges are then brought together and sutured. With this procedure, there is minimal bleeding which is easily controlled with electrocautery. In some cases involving large tattoos, a skin graft taken from another part of the body may be necessary.



Excision






Dermabrasion

Another method of tattoo removal is called dermabrasion in which a small portion of the tattoo is sprayed with a solution that freezes the area. The tattoo is then "sanded" with a rotary abrasive instrument causing the skin to peel. Because some bleeding is likely to occur, a dressing is immediately applied to the area.




Dermabrasion



Laser

In recent times, many physicians consider laser surgery one of the best methods of tattoo removal . Today, the Q-switched Nd:Yag, Q-switched Alexandrite and the Q-switched Ruby are among the most frequently used lasers today for the removal of unwanted tattoos. They are all employed in a similar manner. If necessary, a cream to numb the skin can be applied prior to the treatment. Pulses of light from the laser are directed onto the tattoo breaking up the tattoo pigment. Over the next several weeks the body's scavenger cells remove the treated pigmented areas. More then one treatment is usually necessary to remove all of the tattoo.




Laser



Salabrasion

Salabrasion, a procedure which is centuries old, is a method still sometimes used today to remove tattoos. As with the other methods, a local anesthetic is used on and around the tattooed area after which a solution of ordinary tap water dipped in table salt is applied. An abrading apparatus such as the one used with dermabrasion, or an even simpler device such as a wooden block wrapped in gauze, is used to vigorously abrade the area. When the area becomes deep red in color, a dressing is applied.




Salabrasion



What Results Can Be Expected?

Regardless of which method of tattoo removal is used, some scarring or color variations are likely to remain. Healing time varies depending upon the size and depth of the tattoo, the proce-dure used and the patient's healing process. It is important for the patient to discuss with the physician the various procedures, how they are performed, and the probable results. Care of the treated area must also be discussed.



Copyright © 2000 Contemporary Health Communications, Earth City, Missouri (Commercial use strictly prohibited)

If you aren't going to tell, I'm going to assume it says "Winger".

I am an absolute genius, I have a idea. The best way to remove a tattoo is to cover it up with the same or near color as the skin. My skin is brown but tattoo is all black. If the tattoo is too old its best to laser it a bit to loosen the pigments and make the color ready to mix(more liquid). In my case a red dye with the black tattoo will make it brown. Good idea?

When we are young we all make decisions that we regret later in life. If your biggest regret is a tattoo, you will be much more fortunate than most people.

Perhaps every time you look at your arm you will say, "Damn, I wish I had been smart enough to realize that some day I would feel differently about this." Perhaps it will help you become smart enough to realize that that is still true.

It could be a very cheap lesson.

Why do you think so many older men never go out in public in short-sleeved shirts? Notice that women, stereotyped for having more time-sense than we have, tend to get tattoos that are either smaller or in more private places.

I am lasering the bagger off next week. Thanks

I am lasering the bagger off next week. Thanks
Is that expensive?

Good choice Chatha!

Far too many young punks run out to get a tattoo just because they want to be hip or look different or look cool. This entire post - compliments of Chatha - should serve as an example for anyone considering a tattoo to think twice about it. Chances are that you WILL regret it later on in life, and they are very expensive to remove. not to mention the chance of getting HIV/AIDS from a used needle. I'm noticing more-and-more sloppy tattoos on people that obviously came from a start-up amateur self-proclaimed "artist." And I will admit that this is - or at least should be, but is not - an artistic field. Lately all I've been seeing is a lot of erratic, unprofessional, imprecise, non-artistic crap - even Chinese characters and logos that are brushed with incorrect strokes, and this greatly disturbs me! the tattooists just look in a English-Chinese dictionary and copy what THEY think are the right interpretations without having any background of the language or how the callligraphy should be written to achieve its intrinsic beauty.

Good call Chatha!

I went for my first proceedings last week. It hursts a lot when they attack you with laser beems. 5 more sessions and I am FREEEEEEEEEEEEE

I went for my first proceedings last week. It hursts a lot when they attack you with laser beems. 5 more sessions and I am FREEEEEEEEEEEEE

Interesting choice of words? If it hurts, then some damage is being done to your skin or nerves. If that's true, then you may not be FREEEEEEEEEE as you think.

Baron Max

Ha, thanks

not to mention the chance of getting HIV/AIDS from a used needle.
I thought AIDS dies when it hits the air?

I need a job ASAP before my next session. The skin is not the only thing the laser is burning, by the end of it all it would have created a bottomless hole in my wallet.

I thought AIDS dies when it hits the air?Only after a prolonged period of time. The time period is debateable, but if you are really interested I can find out more.

Sharing needles in intravenous drug users is one of the largest sources of AIDS because they pass the same needle onto the next! Of course as they pass the needle, it is then exposed to air.

Sharing needles in intravenous drug users is one of the largest sources of AIDS because they pass the same needle onto the next! Of course as they pass the needle, it is then exposed to air.

That's only going under the assumption that the viral particles are on the outside of the needle.

Boss, da plane! da plane!

Or on the inside. Still subject to oxygen. Are you trying to deny this fact???

Intravenous drug use from cross contamination of needle use is the biggest factor contributing to HIV/AIDS in the world! This cannot be disputed.

Jeez, so you want to get your tattoo do you? Well, let me just tell you, you will definately regret it. Recently I have been spending exessively on laser procedures to remove mine. I've had my tats for over 5 years now, and its simply pathetic. My sister thinks I'm making a big deal of it and even wants to get tats as well, I laughed when I heard that. I laughed because I knew 9 ut of ten people regret having a permanent fixture on their skin. Yesterday I escorted my friend to get his ears pierced, it reminded me of when I was just as naive. Alchohol and Drugs are nothing compared to tattoos, trust me. NEVER get a TATTOO. NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCE. In the end, is it worth it? I can't even begin to answer that question. Of cause there are some peope responsible for my tats, like David Beckham, American basketball players, e.t.c. So much for sensible role models. My next laser session is in approximately 3 weeks time, another 350 big ones.:rolleyes: Michael jackson must look at himself in the mirror everyday and say ,"what the fuck did I do to myself"