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Methods for Tattoo Removal include
laser treatments, abrasion, scarification, and surgery.
Some people attempt to camouflage an objectionable tattoo with a new
one. Each approach has drawbacks:
Laser treatments can lighten many tattoos, some more easily and
effectively than others. Generally, several visits are necessary over
a span or weeks or months, and the treatments can be expensive. Some
individuals experience hypopigmentation -- a lightening of the natural
skin coloring -- in the affected area. Laser treatments also can cause
some tattoo pigments to change to a less desirable shade.
Unfortunately, knowing what pigments are in your tattoo or permanent
makeup has always been difficult and has become more so as the variety
of tattoo inks has multiplied. Inks are often sold by brand name only,
not by chemical composition. Because the pigments are sold to tattoo
parlors and salons, not on a retail basis to consumers, manufacturers
are not required by law to list the ingredients on the labels.
Furthermore, because manufacturers may consider the identity and grade
of their pigments "proprietary," neither the tattooist nor the
customer may be able to obtain this information.
There also have been reports of individuals suffering allergic
reactions after laser treatments to remove tattoos, apparently because
the laser caused allergenic substances in the tattoo ink to be
released into the body.
Dermabrasion involves abrading layers of skin with a wire brush or
diamond fraise (a type of sanding disc). This process itself may leave
a scar.
Salabrasion, in which a salt solution is used to remove the pigment,
is sometimes used in conjunction with dermabrasion, but has become
less common.
Scarification involves removing the tattoo with an acid solution and
creating a scar in its place.
Surgical removal sometimes involves the use of tissue expanders
(balloons inserted under the skin, so that when the tattoo is cut
away, there is less scarring). Larger tattoos may require repeated
surgery for complete removal.
Camouflaging a tattoo entails the injection of new pigments either to
form a new pattern or cover a tattoo with skin-toned pigments. Dr.
Toombs notes, however, that injected pigments tend not to look natural
because they lack the skin's natural translucence.
What About Temporary Tattoos?
Temporary tattoos, such as those applied to the skin with a moistened
wad of cotton, fade several days after application. Most contain color
additives approved for cosmetic use on the skin. However, the agency
has issued an import alert for several foreign-made temporary tattoos.
According to OCAC Consumer Safety Officer Allen Halper, the temporary
tattoos subject to the import alert are not allowed into the United
States because they don't carry the FDA-mandated ingredient labels or
they contain colors not permitted by FDA for use in cosmetics applied
to the skin. FDA has received reports of allergic reactions to
temporary tattoos.
In a similar action, FDA has issued an import alert for henna intended
for use on the skin. Henna is approved only for use as a hair dye, not
for direct application to the skin. Also, henna typically produces a
reddish brown tint, raising questions about what ingredients are added
to produce the varieties of colors labeled as "henna," such as "black
henna" and "blue henna."
Reporting Adverse Reactions to Tattoos
FDA urges consumers and healthcare providers to report adverse
reactions to tattoos and permanent makeup, problems with removal, or
adverse reactions to temporary tattoos. Consumers and healthcare
providers can register complaints by contacting their FDA district
office (see the blue pages of your local phone directory) or by
contacting FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN)
Adverse Events Reporting System (CAERS) by phone at (301) 436-2405 or
by email at CAERS@cfsan.fda.gov.
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