Painful removal!
July 22, 2015
DW: Are there more requests for tattoo removal nowadays?
Dr. Matthias Bonczkowitz:We can assume that 25 to 35 percent of all young people in Germany between the ages of 15 and 25 who have tattoos are now considering having them removed. In that respect the demand is high. In our practice we've provided more than 1400 treatments in the past 2 years.
How do you treat a tattoo that is to be removed?
First we disinfect the area to be treated. Afterwards the tattoo that's to be removed is treated with a laser and simultaneously cooled using a cold air blower. Afterwards the area is cooled again and covered with ointment and a bandage. Extremely high peak energy pulses in very short burst lasting nanoseconds shatters the pigments and the ink particles. The particles are later removed by the body's defenses via the lymphatic system.
What risks, side effects or long-term effects does laser removal involve?
Every minor surgical intervention carries risks. After laser surgery, there is usually swelling and minor bleeding in the treated area. Scabs can form afterwards. Sometimes blisters develop, but they usually heal without causing scarring. Among the side effects, changes in skin color can also occur during treatment. It also has to be said that the treatment is very painful - just as painful as getting a tattoo.
In addition to laser treatment, are there other methods of removal, and are there some you advise against?
Laser removal is considered the gold standard, but of course there are other methods. They include dermabrasion, or superficial surgical removal. These treatments, however, don't lead to acceptable cosmetic results. There are also procedures that treat the skin with lactic acid. I would definitely advise against that, because it often causes scarring.
Can tattoos generally be removed completely?
That depends on various factors: the colors, the amount of pigment and the way it's inserted. With colors such as yellow and orange, or very deep or dense tattoos with a great deal of color, treatment is often more difficult. But many tattoos can be completely removed with modern-day laser technology.
What do you do with extensive tattoos that cover entire body parts?
Laser treatment basically can be used over large areas of the body such as the back or an entire arm, though it does depend on the patient's tolerance for pain. If the area being treated is too large, we also carry out partial removal. Here we proceed in blocks. An arm tattoo that covers both the front and back of the arm is divided up into sections that we treat one after the other. To remove professional tattoos, you have to expect eight to ten treatment sessions.
Do you find out something about what motivates people to have their tattoos removed?
Patients come to us for all sorts of different reasons: they've changed their tastes, they don't like their tattoos anymore. Changes in fashion, changes in their circumstances (marital status or profession) often play an important role. In addition, some employers don’t want their employees to have tattoos on visible parts of their bodies.
What advice do you have for anyone who wants to get a
Thing twice about it! Usually it will last a lifetime. And choose your tattooist carefully.
Dr. Matthias Bonczkowitz is a dermatologist and senior doctor at Hautmedizin Kelkheim. He is a specialist in laser surgery and tattoo removal.
Interview: Marita Brinkmann