The only significant DO is to opt for an organisation or clinic that provides tattoo removal using Q-switched Ruby or Q-switched Nd:Yag Lasers (see how laser treatment works ) and are registered with the appropriate authority to legally deliver this treatment.

“Is your laser Q-switched?” is the question to ask as there are many other lasers and Intense Pulsed Light sources (IPL's) that provide very effective hair removal and rejuvenation solutions, but cannot remove tattoos.

There are a number of non laser techniques used to remove tattoos but the results are generally very disappointing and carry a relatively high complication risk. The most recent ‘injectable' technique using a so called ‘orgainic' chemical has no proven efficacy and can present a number of complications.

Injectable Organic erase / Organic creams
These are chemical irritants which are introduced under the skin causing the body to set up an inflammatory response with the idea of hopefully causing the solution to be ejected along with the tattoo ink.

A variety of compounds can be used but they have common disadvantages: considerable recovery time with significant infection, de-pigmentation and high scarring risks.

Acid tattooing
Unfortunately we see quite a number of attempts at removal involving acid, either prussic acid or nitric acid applied by a tattooist, or even home attempts using battery acid or cleaning compounds. Multiple treatments, considerable recovery time with significant infection risk are involved.

Acids can remove pigment, either by pigment bleaching or the eviction of tattoo pigment during acid-burn healing but unfortunately, acid removal attempts almost always result in scarring with often the remnants of the tattoo still visible.

Laserase can help by removing the remaining pigment but the acid scars will be permanent.

Dermabrasion
To reach tattoo pigment, dermabrasion must reach down to the dermis and full thickness scarring will result. If the dermis is not reached, only partial thickness scarring will occur but remnants of the tattoo can remain.

Surgery
Skin grafting involves removing skin from one area of the body to treat another area and so two areas of scarring will result. It is rarely available on the NHS.