| Tramp Stamps - zapped with laser tattoo removal |
|
|
|
| Saturday, 04 November 2006 | |
|
However, many recipients of this type of tattoo are now considering having them removed, partly because they have been fallen out of fashion, and partly because of the negative connotations associated with women sporting this type of tattoo. As the comedian Bill Maher said of this type of tattoo: "Just because your tattoo has Chinese characters in it doesn't make you spiritual. It's right above the crack of your ass. And it translates to "beef with broccoli." The last time you did anything spiritual, you were praying to God you weren't pregnant. You're not spiritual. You're just high." Ouch. However, tattoo removal, notoriously difficult in the past, is now possible using medical lasers. Medical lasers utilise an intense beam of light to either lighten or completely remove the tattoo without harming the surrounding skin cells. The light from the laser bombards the ink particles of the tattoo, breaking them up into tiny fragments. These harmless fragments are then absorbed into the skin and disposed through your body’s natural cleansing mechanism over a period of several weeks. Another method of tattoo removal uses Infrared Coagulation to burn the skin layer that contains the tattoo's ink. Once burned, the tattoo area forms into a scab, which eventually falls off after a few days. If patients wish to avoid, or cannot afford either laser tattoo removal or infrared coagulation, alternative methods of removing a tattoo include dermabrasion, chemical peels and surgical removal. However, these methods are more invasive than laser and infra-red and have a higher chance of leaving permanent scars. Most treatments involve a mild local anaesthetic around the area to be treated, to prevent any discomfort, although in most cases, there is very little pain, with the sensation likened to mild sunburn. Each treatment will typically last between 20 and 30 minutes, and a number of treatments will normally be required, depending on the size of tattoo, its age, depth and color. Normally treatments are provided each month or second month, allowing the skin to recover before further treatment. Immediately after treatment, most patients notice a white discoloration of the treated area, and the area surrounding the tattoo might have a reddened tone, with minor swelling. This normally disappears within the first few days following each treatment. With some patients, a condition known as hypopigmentation may occur, with the treated skin turning white. This normally disappears within 6 to 12 months. |
| Next > |
|---|
![[أربيك]](http://www.lipo.com/websitetranslator/images/flag_ar.gif){kind=small}
