It is estimated that currently 25% of the Western population (10% in France according to a 2010 Ifop poll) is tattooed. 2/3 of tattoos were done before the age of 20. This is why, more than 1 in 3 clients then regret their tattoo and more than 1 in 2 when the tattoo was done before the age of 16 years old.
Tattoo removal, a delicate and uncertain surgical act
Many tattoo removal methods exist, resection surgery (intervention which consists of removing a harmful foreign element from the human body) often associated with a skin graft, burn by CO2 laser or chemicals … These traditional methods that damage the skin were supplanted by the appearance of new “Q-Switched” lasers. Their beam shatters the ink into particles which are then naturally eliminated by the cells of the dermis.
“We have made great progress since the mid-1990s thanks to the use of specific lasers to avoid scars, but the process remains long and expensive”, summarizes Dr. Jean-Michel Mazer, director of the International Laser Center. de la Peau de Paris (Clipp) which performs between 20 and 25 tattoos per week.
Tattoo removal remains a delicate medical act with uncertain results. While the laser technique helps prevent unsightly scars, it generally requires 8 to 12 sessions, two months apart, depending on the size of the area to be treated. “Each session can cost between 150 and 300 euros, not covered by health insurance” explains Dr Mazer, director of the Center Laser International de la Peau in Paris (Clipp).
Pay attention to the color
According to a dermatology study published in 2012, only 50% of patients had their tattoocompletely cleared after 10 sessions and 75% after 15 sessions.
“The result can be imperfect with a risk of modification of the color (2 to 50%) or the texture (1 to 50%) of the skin after treatment. This risk of failure is greater in the event of multiple colors, high density, recent tattooing, sessions too close together and active smoking ”recalls Dr. Naouri, secretary of the laser group of the French Dermatology Society (SFD).
