Tattoo

            A tattoo is a form of body modification where a design or mark is made by inserting inks, dyes or pigments into the deeper layers of the skin with the help of sharp needles.
Depending on the type of ink used, it can be either temporary or permanent.
Types of tattoos: Tattoos can be classified in a number of ways

  1) Decorative or Pictorial
  2) Symbolic
  3) Identification
     i) To a group
     ii) Of a Medical condition
     iii) Of a relation

These tattoos are done purely with the purpose of decorating the body and they do not convey any specific meaning.

Symbolic tattoos convey some message to the onlooker. Usually it is done to reflect the personality trait or an aspect of the personality that the person desires to reveal to others.

Identification Tattoos directly link the person to a group, gang.

As many as 25% of those with a tattoo say they regret getting it. If you’re in that 25%, there is good news. Laser tattoo removal techniques can get rid of your unwanted tattoo with minimal side effects.

Lasers remove tattoos by breaking up the pigment colors with a high-intensity light beam. Black tattoo pigment absorbs all laser wavelengths, making it the easiest color to treat. Other colors can only be treated by selected lasers based upon the pigment color.

The number of treatments you will need will depend on the age, size, and color(s) of your tattoo. The color of your skin, as well as how deep the tattoo pigment goes, will also affect the removal technique. As lasers break down tattoo pigments, you could have an allergic reaction.

In general, this is what you should expect during a laser tattoo removal session:

1. You’ll be given a pair of protective eye shields.
2. The technician will test your skin's reaction to the laser to determine the most effective energy for treatment.
3. The technician uses the laser to pass pulses of intense light through the top layers of your skin that will be absorbed by the tattoo pigment only.

Smaller tattoos will require fewer pulses while larger ones will need more to remove them. In either case, to completely get rid of a tattoo, it will take several treatments. After each visit, your tattoo should become progressively lighter. Laser tattoo removal is uncomfortable, but most patients don’t need anesthesia. Depending on the location of your tattoo, you may want to apply a topical anesthesia cream beforehand. Immediately following the treatment, use an ice pack to soothe the treated area. And apply an antibiotic cream or ointment and bandage to protect it. You should also be sure it’s covered with sunblock when you’re outside.

Laser treatment is often safer than many other tattoo removal methods, such as excision, dermabrasion, or salabrasion because laser treatment selectively treats the pigment in the tattoo. And there are very few side effects. However, you should consider these factors in your decision:

• Your tattoo removal site is at risk for infection. And there is a slight chance that you will have a permanent scar.

• It’s unlikely that your tattoo will be completely removed. In many cases, certain colors may be more effectively removed than others. Blue and black tattoos, for example, respond well to laser treatment.

• You may end up with hypopigmentation, which means the skin that is treated is paler than the skin surrounding it. You could also have hyperpigmentation, which leaves the affected skin darker than the rest of your skin.

• Cosmetic tattoos like lip liner, eyeliner, and eyebrows may actually get darker after treatment. They do tend to fade with additional sessions.