It is not known exactly when the practice of tattooing got started, but some evidence of tattoos have been found on Egyptian mummies back in 1300 B.C. Tattoos are made artistically on the skin by injecting a color into small holes in the skin. It does not matter who injects the color into the skin, but it is a fact that the mark of a tattoo is permanent. However due to several reasons, people take the help of physicians to remove tattoos.

Luckily, there are several successful ways to remove tattoos, which are being used by physicians. Nevertheless, in most cases some blemishes can remain visible on the skin. It depends on a number of factors such as size, location, and the time taken in the individual healing process. If the tattoo has been on the skin for a long time, then it may be difficult to remove.

The physician will choose a tattoo removal method after considering the size and length of the tattoo. He will also take into consideration the time that the tattoo has been on the skin.

Some of these widely used tattoo removal methods include:

Excision: This is one of the most popular tattoo removal methods, especially when the tattooed area is small. By using this method, tattoos can be removed completely from the skin. In order to remove large tattoos, the excision process is done in stages.

While performing this method, the tattooed area is first numbed, and then it is erased surgically. There may be minimal bleeding, but it can be controlled easily by using electrocautery.

Dermabrasion: Another tattoo removal procedure is known as the “Dermabrasion Procedure”. The tattooed area is sprayed with a solution to freeze it, and then the tattoo is rubbed down with a rotary abrasive tool, which results in the peeling of the skin. During this process, bleeding may occur, so it is a must that immediate dressings are applied to that area.

Laser: Nowadays, the laser technique is becoming popular among physicians, as it offers better results in a short time. Laser techniques such as Q-switched Nd: Yag, Q-switched Alexandrite and the Q-switched Ruby, are being used to remove tattoos.

A cream can be applied on the skin for numbing before the treatment begins, if required. After that, by using laser light technique, the pigment of the tattoo is broken and thereafter several weeks, scavenger cells of the body eliminate the treated pigment area. Generally, one may be required to have more than one laser treatment to erase the tattoo entirely.

Salabrasion: This is an ancient method to remove tattoos, but it is still used sometimes. Similar to other methods, anesthetic is used on the tattoo as well as on its surrounding area. After that, a solution of normal tap water and salt is applied on the skin. By using abrade equipment, the tattooed area is abraded strongly, and when the area becomes dark red, then a dressing is applied.

In conclusion, it does not matter which tattoo removal method you opt for, but one thing is definite – there will always remain some scarring or color variation.

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It is always best to discuss with the physician the various methods available and their procedures. It is important that you clear all your doubts regarding the process before you go for it.

There are three critical components to a great tattoo, the tattoo design, the inks chosen for the tattoo, the tattoo artist. When all these things come together the result can be a really fantastic tattoo that will last and look good for years to come. If any one of these components is not there then the result is less than desired. If more than one dynamic is out of place then the result can be a horrible tattoo.

It is fair to say that every person should be accountable for their body art design. But what about the tattoo artist, do they have some responsibility too?. After all in selected cases they will be paid $120/hr or more. The artist should assist the user understand the makeup of the detail and inks involved. Most customers do not know that numerous color inks are made from different base materials whether they are metals or plastics. Each will fair differently over time as components of the pigments are absorbed by the lymph nodes of the customer.

There can also be a need to make sure there is proper detail as some inks will dull in a way that can make a tattoo unattractive over time.

However an inexperienced body art artist can be a total calamity. Need I say more?

Before I finish, I have to mention that people make a huge mistake in getting a tattoo in a place that is likely to transform over time, which frankly could be all over. Those tight abs and buns could turn to beer bellies and padunk-a-dunks. Once that tattoo design is stretched to twice its original size it is sure to lose some of its flare.

So a bad tattoo is any tattoo that you can’t stand to look at for any number of reasons. Well if you think getting a tattoo is a tough decision, just wait until you decide you no longer want it. That is a challenge all on its own.

Tattoo removal is growing by leaps and bounds. Laser removal, dermabrasion, and tattoo removal crèmes are the most popular options. They can range immensely in cost and none of them are on the spot. So if you have a tattoo that is now a BAD tattoo, consider getting rid of it.

What is also growing is the number of people who have tattoo remorse. Essentially they have tattoos that they no longer like or want on their bodies. Perhaps there is good reason for this since there are a lot of amateur tattoo artists out there who are applying a lot of bad tattoos. Another factor could be that many people get a tattoo on a dare or are simply anxious to have one so there is limited thought into what tattoo they should get or where it should go. In other cases the sentiment that dreamed up the tattoo idea is gone especially in the case of relationship where the love birds fly apart. This can lead even worse tattoos as people are now seeking options to have their tattoos morphed into something else. In other cases people simply outgrow their tattoo fetish. Others are finding that tattoos are not a great compliment to white collar success.

Nonetheless, the tattoo removal industry is growing by leaps and bounds as people make a mad dash to find ways to remove unwanted tattoos. What seems to be surprising to many is the cost and discomfort of tattoo removal.

The treatments range from laser tattoo removal to do-it-yourself tattoo removal creams. But the reality is none of these options are instant and they all have there associated costs and risks. At the end of the day it is clear that no matter what tattoo you get, if you ever decide you no longer want it, tattoo removal will take more time and cost a lot more than the original application.

Perhaps the only bright side is that there is a lot of company in the same line as you. This will hopefully drive down prices and help to bring continuous improvement to the do-it-yourself options. The best advice is to get as much information as you can tattoo removal can be expensive, painful, and have long-term ramifications that you may not consider if you just rush into it.

So take some time to get really educated on your tattoo removal options and get all your questions answered in advance.

People have many reasons for getting a tattoo. Perhaps it is to memorialize a loved one or to express emotions for a current love. Some get tattoos as a way make a personal statement about themselves. No matter they are everywhere.

Perhaps you have tattoo or are considering getting one.  What I find interesting is that people seem to give little thought to the potential risks of tattoos. Risks? Well of course. The modern method of applying tattoos was based on a machine called the autographic printer, or an engraving machine.. The inventor was none other than Thomas Edison in 1876. I remember people having crude adaptations of these devices when I was kid.  The machine was later adapted to apply inks under the skin. The ink reservoirs came later.

Most people are probably not aware that the large majority of tattoo inks are based on metals. For instance red and black come from iron oxides. Yellow comes from cadmium. Green comes from chromium and so on.

I do not know if I am ready to make a pronouncement that tattoos are unsafe but it is a well known fact that the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) has begun to take close look at tattoo inks given the rising popularity of this obsessive ritual.

The mere fact that the many of the inks are based on metals is a cause for alarm since high metal content in the human body has been linked to many diseases. Additionally, there are other inks that are based on plastics that are reported to change the texture of the skin in a way that cannot be reversed even if the tattoo is removed.  The most disconcerting tidbit I stumbled upon was the knowledge that many tattoo artist mix their own inks. There is no oversight no way to know if someone is qualified to do such a thing.

The skin is the largest organ on the human body. Many people seem to forget that. Essentially whatever is applied to the skin is absorbed through the body.  This is true of soaps, lotions, perfumes, colognes, and of course tattoo inks. We know this is the case because tattoos will fade a bit over time, but not because the ink is washing off, it is being absorbed by the body internally.  So the question is, if a person were to ingest the same ink that makes up their tattoo, what would happen? My guess is that they would become very ill, very quickly.   So perhaps the effect is the same just a bit slower as the skin drinks in the inks.

I guess the more I think about it the more I am alarmed at the number of people who get tattoos and more importantly the people who have them covering nearly their entire body.

Finally there are two other considerations. The person who gets a really bad tattoo and the person who gets a tattoo and decides they no longer want it. Then what?

The business of removing tattoos seems to be growing in stride with the business of getting tattoo as people increasing are feeling remorse over their decision to permanently get inked.

But tattoo removal is no walk in the park. The methods most commonly sought are dermabrasion, laser removal, and do-it-our-self creams.

Dermabrasion  essentially is a process where the skin is filed down similar to sanding a piece of wood. This is expensive and can leave permanent scars. Not to mention, sanding down certain areas of the body has got to be painful.

Laser treatments can fade tattoos but several visits may be required and the costs can skyrocket very quickly. There is also the risk of hypopigmentation which is where the skin become lighter as a result of the laser exposure.  Laser can also cause some tattoo inks to change in color rather than fade in a desirable way.

There are several creams on the market that claim to fade tattoos. Some work better than others. The challenge for any of these methods is keeping up with the rapidly changing inks used in tattoo parlors.

Wrecking Balm makes that claim and also uses a device that is FDA approved for application.

For many the cost of tattoo removal is many times more expensive than the original tattoo application. While I personally do not have any tattoos I know many who do and a few who wish they didn’t. Given the cost I would say try the creams first. It is cheaper and if it works you can avoid some pain and potential scarring. If all else fails and you just want the tattoo gone then I guess laser tattoo removal or dermabrasion are the next options.