Tattoo Removal

New York City, Manhattan, and Long Island, New York

Tattoos have surged in popularity in the last several years. Much of this has to do with the fact that the social stigma once associated with tattoos and the people who got them has virtually disappeared. There is no shortage of tattoo shops in any large city and tattoos can be gotten for cheap. However, as the numbers of people getting tattoos continues to grow, so does the number of people who want to have their tattoos removed. Fortunately, people who want to have a tattoo removed have a few options. If you are one of these individuals, you should consult with an experienced cosmetic surgeon to explore which option might be best for you.

How tattoo removal is done

Tattoo removal techniques have come a long way in recent years. It used to be that in order to remove a tattoo one would have to sand it off or remove the skin by excision. These procedures could be quite painful and typically left significant scarring. When a small tattoo needs removal, excision may still be a reasonable option. However, larger tattoos will likely require one of the following:

• Dermabrasion This is a more sophisticated version of sanding or scraping away the layers of skin that contain the tattoo ink. Instead of using a sanding tool and salt (salabrasion) other types of chemicals and acids are used. This is an effective method of removing professionally-done tattoos. Tattoos that have been done by non-professionals often require excision or laser removal due to the ink being placed too deep into the skin.
• Laser removal A laser beam is used to break up or disintegrate the ink particles which are then removed by the bodys immune system. This procedure usually requires three or more treatments spread out over several weeks or months. This may cause permanent pigment changes to the skin, leaving behind a shadow of the tattoo.

A consultation with an experienced cosmetic surgeon will provide you with the best treatment plan to fit your particular needs. If you live in the New York City area and have one or more tattoos that you would like removed, please contact Dr. Jerrold Gendler today to arrange your free consultation.