Tattoo removal methods: A review

Authors

  • Prarthana B Desai Cutis Academy of Cutaneous Sciences
  • B S Chandrashekar Cutis Academy of Cutaneous Sciences
  • Chaithra Shenoy Cutis Academy of Cutaneous Sciences

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66344/jpad.v31i1.1539

Keywords:

Tattoo removal, Non laser techniques, Laser techniques, Surgical techniques

Abstract

Tattoos have existed since ancient times in every culture with a growing fascination. The need for tattoo removal has also increased in demand with its rising popularity.  After an extensive literature review, we have outlined the various conventional tattoo removal methods that have existed and continue to be practiced and the theory behind it, new laser devices and the various strategies that have been applied for effective tattoo removal and also the surgical methods which are employed. Although tattoo removal methods have revolutionized over time, further research is needed to offer safer and more effective methods.

 

Author Biographies

  • Prarthana B Desai, Cutis Academy of Cutaneous Sciences
    MD, FRGUHS
  • B S Chandrashekar, Cutis Academy of Cutaneous Sciences
    MD, DNB
  • Chaithra Shenoy, Cutis Academy of Cutaneous Sciences
    MD, FRGUHS

References

1. Gilbert S. The Tattoo History Source Book. New York: Juno Books, 2000.

2. Larry S. Tattoo takeover: Three in ten Americans have tattoos, and most don’t stop at just one. Health & Life. The Harris Poll. http://www.theharrispoll.com/health-and-life/Tattoo_Takeover.html.

3. Laumann A, Derick A. Tattoos and body piercings in the United States: a national data set. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;55(3):413–21.

4. Armstrong M, Stuppy D, Gabriel D, Anderson R. Motivation for tattoo removal. Arch Dermatol. 1996;132(4):412–6.

5. Varma S, Lanigan S. Reasons for requesting laser removal of unwanted tattoos. Br J Dermatol. 1999;140(3):483–5.

6. Kluger N, Aldasouqi S. A new purpose for tattoos: Medical alert tattoos. Presse Med. 2013;42:134–7.

7. BrodellRT : Retattooing after the treatment of a red tattoo reaction with CO2 laser. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1990;16:771-3.

8. Fogh H, Walf HC, Poulsen T, Larsen P: Tattoo removal by overtattooing with tannic acid. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1989;15: 1089-90.

9. Manchester GH. Tattoo Removal-A New Simple Technique. California Medicine. 1973;118(3):10-2.

10. Shelley WB, Shelley ED: Focal salabrasion for removal of linear tattoos. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1984;10:216-8.

11. Strong AM, Jackson IT: The removal of amateur tattoos by Salabrasion. Br J Derm. 1979;101;693-6.

12. Boo-Chai K: The decorataive tattoo-Its removal by dermabrasion. Plastic Reconstr Surg. 1963;32:559-63.

13. Clabaugh W: Removal of tattoos by superficial dermabrasion. Arch Dermatol. 1968;98:515-21.

14. Scutt RWB: The chemical removal of tattoos. Br J Plast Surg. 1972;25:189-92.

15. Piggot TA, Norris RW: The treatment of tattoos with trichloroacetic acid; Experience with 670 patients. Br J Plast Surg. 1988;41: 12-5.

16. Cozzi S-J, Le TT, Ogbourne SM, James C, Suhrbier A. Tattoo removal with ingenolmebutate. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017;10:205-10.

17. Clabaugh WA. Tattoo removal by superficial dermabrasion. Five-year experience. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1975; 55(4):401-5.

18. Savant SS: Therapeutic spot/ regional dermabrasion in stable vitiligo. Ind J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 1996;62:139-45.

19. Savant SS: Therapeutic spot dermabrasion: study of 197 sites in 11 skin condtions. Ind J Dermatol Surg. 1999:1(1):6-15.

20. J Mohammad. Layered Dermabrasion: A Simple Controlled Method For The Treatment Of Tattoos. The Internet Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2006;3(1).

21. Puri N, Talwar A. Efficacy of Tattoo Removal with Dermabrasion versus Radiofrequency Ablation in a Resource Limited Setting Enliven. Clin Dermatol. 2015;1(1):001.

22. Kuflik E.G. Cryosurgery updated. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1994;31(6):925–44.

23. Shuster M, Do D. Cryotherapy for the treatment of Monsel tattoo. JAAD Case Reports. 2015;1(3):136-7.

doi:10.1016/j.jdcr.2015.02.013.

24. Dvir, E, Hirshowitz, B. Tattoo removal by cryosurgery. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1980;66:373–8.

25. Colver, GB, Dawber, RPR: Tattoo removal using a liquid nitrogen cryo-spray. Clin Exper Dermatol. 1984;9:364-6.

26. Cohn BA. The role of the infrared coagulator in tattoo removal. Dermatologic Surgery. 1997;23(4):305.

27. Colver GB, Jones RL, Cherry GW, Dawber RP, Ryan TJ. Precise dermal damage with an infrared coagulator. Br J Dermatol. 1986; 1;114(5):603-8.

28. Yenning VA, Colver GB, Millard PR, Ryan TJ. Tattoo removal using infra‐red coagulation: a dose comparison. Br J Dermatol. 1987;117(1):99-105.

29. Groot DW, Arlette JP, Johnston PA. Comparison of the infrared coagulator and the carbon dioxide laser in the removal of decorative tattoos. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1986;15(3):518.

30. Retrieved from https://tatt2away.com/about/proven-technique/

31. Retrieved from http://www.skinial.com/expertise/skinial-vs-laser/

32. Reid WH, McLeod PJ, Ritchie A, Ferguson-Pell M. Q-switched Ruby laser treatment of black tattoos. Br J Plast Surg. 1983;36:455–9.

33. Leuenberger ML, Mulas MW, Hata TR, Goldman MP, Fitzpatrick RE, Grevelink JM. Comparison of the Q-switched alexandrite, Nd: YAG, and ruby laser in treating blue-black tattoos. Dermatol Surg. 1999;25:10–4.

34. Zelickson BD, Mehregan DA, Zarrin AA, Coles C, Hartwig P, Olson S, et al. Clinical, histologic, and ultrastructural evaluation of tattoos treated with three laser systems. Lasers Surg Med. 1994;15:364–72.

35. Jones A, Roddey P, Orengo I, Rosen T. The Q-switched ND: YAG laser effectively treats tattoos in darkly pigmented skin. Dermatol Surg. 1996;22:999–1001.

36. Guedes R, Leite L. Removal of orange eyebrow tattoo in a single session with the Q-switched Nd: YAG 532-nm laser. Lasers Med Sci. 2010;25:465–6.

37. Levine VJ, Geronemus RG. Tattoo removal with the Q-switched ruby laser and the Q-switched Nd: YAG laser: A comparative study. Cutis. 1995;55:291–6.

38. Ferguson JE, August PJ. Evaluation of the Nd/YAG laser for treatment of amateur and professional tattoos. Br J Dermatol. 1996;135:586–91.

39. Anderson RR, Geronemus R, Kilmer SL, Farinelli W, Fitzpatrick RE. Cosmetic tattoo ink darkening. A complication of Q-switched and pulsed-laser treatment. Arch Dermatol. 1993;129:1010–4.

40. Fitzpatrick RE, Lupton JR. Successful treatment of treatment-resistant laser-induced pigment darkening of a cosmetic tattoo. Lasers Surg Med. 2000;27:358–61.

41. Kirby W, Kaur RR, Desai A. Paradoxical darkening and removal of pink tattoo ink. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2010;9:149–51.

42. Mafong EA, Kauvar AN, Geronemus RG. Surgical pearl: Removal of cosmetic lip-liner tattoo with the pulsed carbon dioxide laser. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003;48:271–2.

43. Wang CC, Huang CL, Yang AH, Chen CK, Lee SC, Leu FJ. Comparison of two Q-switched lasers and a short-pulse erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser for treatment of cosmetic tattoos containing titanium and iron in an animal model. Dermatol Surg. 2010;36:1656–63.

44. Ross V, Naseef G, Lin G, Kelly M, Michaud N, Flotte TJ, Raythen J, Anderson RR. Comparison of responses of tattoos to picosecond and nanosecond Q-switched neodymium: YAG lasers. Arch Dermatol. 1998;134(2):167-71.

45. Brauer JA, Reddy KK, Anolik R, Weiss ET, Karen JK, Hale EK, Brightman LA, Bernstein L, Geronemus RG. Successful and rapid treatment of blue and green tattoo pigment with a novel picosecond laser. Arch Dermatol. 2012;148(7):820-3.

46. Saedi N, Metelitsa A, Petrell K, Arndt KA, Dover JS. Treatment of tattoos with a picosecond alexandritelaser: a prospective trial. Arch Dermatol. 2012;148(12):1360-3.

47. Alabdulrazzaq H, Brauer JA, Bae YS, Geronemus RG. Clearance of yellow tattoo ink with a novel 532-nm picosecond laser. Lasers Surg Med. 2015;47(4):285-8.

48. Bernstein EF, Schomacker KT, Basilavecchio LD, Plugis JM, Bhawalkar JD. A novel dual-wavelength, Nd:YAG, picosecond-domain laser safely and effectively removes multicolor tattoos. Lasers Surg Med. 2015;47:542-8.

49. Wang CC, Huang CL, Lee SC, Sue YM, Leu FJ. Treatment of cosmetic tattoos with nonablative fractional laser in an animal model: A novel method with histopathologic evidence. Lasers Surg Med. 2013;45:116–22.

50. Wang CC, Huang CL, Sue YM, Lee SC, Leu FJ. Treatment of cosmetic tattoos using carbon dioxide ablative fractional resurfacing in an animal model: A novel method confirmed histopathologically. Dermatol Surg. 2013;39:571–7.

51. Kossida T, Rigopoulos D, Katsambas A, Anderson RR. Optimal tattoo removal in a single laser session based on the method of repeated exposures. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012;66:271–7.

52. Reddy KK, Brauer JA, Anolik R, Bernstein L, Brightman L, Hale E, et al. Topical perfluorodecalin resolves immediate whitening reactions and allows rapid effective multiple pass treatment of tattoos. Lasers Surg Med. 2013;45:76–80.

53. Klitzman B. Berlin: 2013. Development of permanent but removable tattoos. First international conference on tattoo safety. BfR-Symposium; p. 23.

54. Wollina U, Köstler E. Tattoos: surgical removal. Clin Dermatol. 2007;25(4):393-7.

Downloads

Published

04.03.2021

Issue

Section

Review Articles

How to Cite

1.
Tattoo removal methods: A review. J Pak Assoc Dermatol [Internet]. 2021 Mar. 4 [cited 2026 Aug. 2];31(1):85-92. Available from: https://www.jpad.com.pk/index.php/jpad/article/view/1539