The Nitrogen Family Elements at a Glance

Author: Al Dawson
Source: articlesbase.com

Research has shown that nearly half of those between the ages of 18 and 40 have a tattoo or several tattoos. The problem here is that a majority of those who have tattoos have later decided that they don’t want them anymore. The biggest complaint to tattoos is dissatisfaction, which has led to a recent increase in tattoo removal. It’s been proven in the past that women research their removal options more than men — due to the fact that men have less of a stigma when it comes to tattoos.Often times, the ink that is used during tattoos can lead to infection, simply because the type of ink being used isn’t regulation for tattoo parlors. Clean equipment is also essential with tattoo parlors; otherwise someone can end up with hepatitis B, C, and various other infections. There are many serious diseases and other sicknesses that can occur if a tattoo parlor doesn’t keep their materials and parlor clean.In the event of infection or if someone just doesn’t like their tattoo, there are ways to get them removed. Skin grafting and dermabrasion are good examples of tattoo removal, although the most popular and most common these days is laser removal. Laser removal is the fastest and by far the most preferred. With this surgery, the laser being used will zap the metal ions that are found in the pigment of the tattoo, fracturing the ink into very small pieces that the body can easily dispose of.There are several great things about laser tattoo removal, although there are some bad things as well. In some cases, where infection is involved, the surgery will be a bit different. First, you’ll need to get the infection out of the area before the tattoo can be removed. Depending on how bad the infection is, you may end up staying in the hospital for a few days. For this very reason — you should always make sure that the equipment is clean and sterile before you ever get a tattoo.Laser tattoo removal can be very painful, depending on the area that you have the tattoo on. Almost all surgeons will use numbing ointment and local anesthetics before they do the removal, so you experience little to no pain. Even though you may think that you have a high tolerance for pain and can deal with the treatment, you may still want to take any type of numbing that you can get.Before you decide to get a tattoo removed with laser removal, you should always make sure that you choose a surgeon you can trust. Lasers can be very dangerous, and there are always side effects and risks involved. Although laser tattoo removal is certainly an option for getting rid of a tattoo — the best thing to do is think long and hard before you get one to begin with.

Al Dawson is a 25 year + collector of Tattoos and runs the company http://www.ultimatetattookits.com.
For the best prices and fast service check out his store now: http://www.ultimatetattookits.com.

The Author grants full reprint rights to this article. You may reprint and electronically distribute this article as long as its contents remain unchanged and the Author’s byline remains in place.

Author: Dr Sean Laniganbr
Source: ezinearticles.combr
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For thousands of years, tattoos have been an integral (and permanent) part of cultures across the world. From the tattoos found on Otzi, a five thousand year old mummified body found in the Alps through to the latest tribal and Celtic designs, tattoos are not only a fashion statement, but also a personal choice to make a permanent mark on the skin. The permanence of tattoos has always been an issue – what happens if you decide the witty statement on your skin is no longer either funny or relevant to you several years later?

Fortunately, tattoos are now no longer as permanent as they used to be, thanks to the development of tattoo removal, and in particular, laser tattoo removal. Now, tattoos that have become more of an embarrassment (such as an ex-girlfriends name) or are poor quality and now-fuzzy smudges of black ink can be removed completely, without having to go back to a tattoo artist for a cover up job.

Laser tattoo removal has come a long way in the last few years and is now available at a much lower cost than when it was first introduced to the public. Lasers work by producing short pulses of intense light that passes harmlessly through the outer layers of the skin, but is absorbed by the tattoo pigment. The energy produced by the laser causes the pigment to fragment into smaller particles. These particles are then naturally removed by the immune system and flushed out of the body. After some time, the tattoo fades and eventually disappears completely.

Does it hurt?

Laser tattoo removal could be described as uncomfortable, but if youve sat through the actual process of having the tattoo put into your skin, the discomfort of laser tattoo removal could be considered to be comparable to the initial tattoo process itself. It has been likened to being pinged with a rubber band, so the discomfort is certainly bearable. The process only takes a few minutes, but repeated processes will be required to remove the tattoo completely. Laser tattoo removal is usually preceded by the application of an anaesthetic cream to dull the sensation and reduce discomfort. Once the area has been prepared, the laser directs pulses of light onto the tattoo, breaking up the pigment. Over the following weeks, the bodys scavenger cells remove the residue and flush it out of your system. There may be some initial reddening of the skin around the treated area, but the overall skin condition is not affected adversely by laser treatment, as long as it is carried out by a professional.

Alternatives to laser tattoo removal

There are tattoo removal creams available which claim to be able to remove tattoos without the need for laser treatment. However, most of these are ineffective. They claim to slough off skin cells layer by layer, but as the tattoo pigmentation is initially placed deep under the surface of the skin, they rarely if ever reach the pigmentation itself. Creams tend to be expensive and many have reported disappointing results with even the most expensive makes. Other alternatives such as dermabrasion and even cutting the tattoo out of the skin can damage the skin and lead to permanent scarring.

Obviously, the first course of action is to be absolutely sure that the tattoo you want is one that you will be happy to live with for the rest of your life. If you do have a tattoo and you want it removed, the next thing to do is to discuss your requirements with a specialist in laser tattoo removal. They will be able to tell you if you are suitable for laser treatment and talk you through the process before you make a final decision.

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pDr Sean Lanigan -Consultant Dermatologist – sk:n was established in 1990 and is the UKs leading provider of skincare conditions treatments including: a target=_new href=http://www.sknclinics.co.uk/skin-treatments/laser-hair-removal.html rel=nofollowlaser hair removal/a laser tattoo removal./ppcontact:br Dr Sean Lanigan – Consultant Dermatologist br Direct Marketing Manager br Email: a href=mailto:g.grozier@lasercare-clinics.co.uk rel=nofollowg.grozier@lasercare-clinics.co.uk/a/pbr
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Author: Stefan Rockhausbr
Source: isnare.combr
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It is not known exactly when the practice of tattooing got started, but some evidence of tattoos have been found on Egyptian mummies back in 1300 B.C. Tattoos are made artistically on the skin by injecting a color into small holes in the skin. It does not matter who injects the color into the skin, but it is a fact that the mark of a tattoo is permanent. However due to several reasons, people take the help of physicians to remove tattoos.

Luckily, there are several successful ways to remove tattoos, which are being used by physicians. Nevertheless, in most cases some blemishes can remain visible on the skin. It depends on a number of factors such as size, location, and the time taken in the individual healing process. If the tattoo has been on the skin for a long time, then it may be difficult to remove.

The physician will choose a tattoo removal method after considering the size and length of the tattoo. He will also take into consideration the time that the tattoo has been on the skin.

Some of these widely used tattoo removal methods include:

Excision: This is one of the most popular tattoo removal methods, especially when the tattooed area is small. By using this method, tattoos can be removed completely from the skin. In order to remove large tattoos, the excision process is done in stages.

While performing this method, the tattooed area is first numbed, and then it is erased surgically. There may be minimal bleeding, but it can be controlled easily by using electrocautery.

Dermabrasion: Another tattoo removal procedure is known as the Dermabrasion Procedure. The tattooed area is sprayed with a solution to freeze it, and then the tattoo is rubbed down with a rotary abrasive tool, which results in the peeling of the skin. During this process, bleeding may occur, so it is a must that immediate dressings are applied to that area.

Laser: Nowadays, the laser technique is becoming popular among physicians, as it offers better results in a short time. Laser techniques such as Q-switched Nd: Yag, Q-switched Alexandrite and the Q-switched Ruby, are being used to remove tattoos.

A cream can be applied on the skin for numbing before the treatment begins, if required. After that, by using laser light technique, the pigment of the tattoo is broken and thereafter several weeks, scavenger cells of the body eliminate the treated pigment area. Generally, one may be required to have more than one laser treatment to erase the tattoo entirely.

Salabrasion: This is an ancient method to remove tattoos, but it is still used sometimes. Similar to other methods, anesthetic is used on the tattoo as well as on its surrounding area. After that, a solution of normal tap water and salt is applied on the skin. By using abrade equipment, the tattooed area is abraded strongly, and when the area becomes dark red, then a dressing is applied.

In conclusion, it does not matter which tattoo removal method you opt for, but one thing is definite – there will always remain some scarring or color variation.

It is always best to discuss with the physician the various methods available and their procedures. It is important that you clear all your doubts regarding the process before you go for it.br
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Author: Susan Emmettebr
Source: ezinearticles.combr
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As I get older now, I look back on my life and think about all the crazy things Ive done. Although a lot of people have them, my tattoo was one of the craziest things Ive ever done. My grandmother, who is a hard-core Southern Baptist, couldnt believe it when I came home with a tattoo. She didnt even talk to me for like a month. Well I hate to say it, I think she was right. Im not the only person to regret getting a tattoo. According to a recent poll by Harris interactive, 16% of people said that they regretted getting their tattoos as well. Of those 16%, the most common reason cited for regretting getting a tattoo, was being too young when they got the tattoo. So if youre wishing to get rid of a tattoo, what options do you have? About the only effective way to have a tattoo removed, is tattoo laser removal.

Tattoo laser removal, involved using multicolored lasers to break up the pigment in the skin. You say, its common for foreign particles to get embedded in your skin. These particles are small and your body has no trouble expelling them through the normal healing process. Tattoo pigments on the other hand are quite large, and the body cannot expel them, which is why they are permanent. Laser tattoo removal, by breaking up the pigments, makes it possible for your body to expel them. And the reason why different colored lasers are used, is that different colored pigments are receptive to different colors of laser. For example, red pigments are most susceptible to a green laser.

So what can you expect if you get laser tattoo removal? Well the first thing be prepared to pay more than what you paid to get the tattoo in the beginning. Treatment usually starts about $150-$300 per session. And thats another thing, youll need many sessions of laser treatment, to partially or completely remove the tattoo. While you can expect to see good results after about three treatments, most people can expect to go between 8 to 12 treatments. Another thing about laser tattoo removal, is that it is much more painful than getting the tattoo. Usually, a topical pain control cream is used.

While treatment sessions are usually spaced about eight weeks apart, you will need to take care of your tattoo in between sessions. After receiving treatment, there is likely to be some bleeding and swelling as well as some redness. After some time the tattoo may also crust over. Using an antibiotic ointment on your tattoo, can help to control infection as well as scarring.

Lastly, there are some complications involved with tattoo laser removal. For one thing it can cause scarring. It can also cause lightening of the skin. Just as the laser is effective on dark pigment, the laser can also be effective on the melanin in the skin. And then an opposite vein, something amiss like yellow tend to darken with laser treatment.

While most people who get tattoos, are happy with what they did, quite a few people want to remove their tattoos for one or more reasons. Some like the people in the poll above were too young when they got their tattoo. For others, the meaning of the tattoo is change. Of course we all know the story about the couple who had each others names tattooed on their skin and then later broke up. Others, perhaps were in a gang and got out and thus they want to have their gang tattoos removed. For whatever reason tattoo laser removal can be an effective way to not only get rid of tattoos, but to also restore a little self-confidence.

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pDid you know that most of the so-called wonder creams, be it for tattoo removal, weight less, a target=_new href=http://hubpages.com/hub/Breast-Enlargementssurgeryinfo rel=nofollowbreast enlargements/a, penis enlargement, and every other self-improvement ailments are a scam? Find out more about a target=_new href=http://hubpages.com/hub/Tattoo-Laser-Removal rel=nofollowtattoo laser removal/a and make sure your educated before you spend another dime./pbr
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Author: Barry Lycka
Source: ezinearticles.com

Tattooing, which is defined as the permanent insertion of ink or other pigments below the skin using a sharp instrument, has been used for cosmetic and ritual purposes since the Neolithic era. It has been used to identify criminals, invoke magical powers and, most recently, to adorn the skin with colorful designs in what has become a major trend.

Indeed, a recent telephone survey done by the American Academy of Dermatology reports that 36 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 29 are tattooed, and 24 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 50 have been inked. This represents a 16 percent increase over a similar survey done in 2003!

But what happens when that tattoo you thought was so cool 20 years ago just isn’t cool anymore?

Yes, tattooing has been around a long time, and something that has always gone along with tattoos since the very beginning is the desire to remove them. Whether the desire to remove the tattoo is a result of social, cultural, or physical reasons, people go to great lengths to get the job done.

Early techniques for removing tattoos included painful and scarring procedures such as sanding, cutting, and burning the skin. Unless you were willing to go to these lengths, tattoos were seen as permanent and irreversible. However, thanks to medical advances in the field of dermatology, surgeons are now able to remove tattoos safely and effectively.

Methods for tattoo removal today include dermabrasion, surgical excision, salabrasion, chemical peels, and laser surgery. Let’s examine how tattoos are removed with each of these methods.

Dermabrasion

With dermabrasion, the surface and middle layers of the skin are “sanded” away with a hand-held scraping or sanding tool. This process removes the pigmented skin and encourages the growth of new skin.

Dermabrasion is not for everyone. If the tattoo is old, or if the ink has been injected into the subcutaneous fat, dermabrasion may not work. Also, if the tattoo was done by an amateur and the ink is deposited at varying depths in the skin, complete removal may be difficult.

Side effects include skin discoloration, infection at the site of the tattoo, and scarring from repeated scraping and sanding. Complete removal of all the ink is not always possible.

Until laser surgery was introduced, dermabrasion was considered one of the most popular and effective ways of removing tattoos.

Surgical Excision

Surgical excision is performed under general anesthesia. During the process, the surgeon literally cuts the tattoo out of the skin, and closes the wound with sutures. This technique is more suitable for smaller tattoos.

This is one of the more invasive tattoo removal procedures, and complications include swelling, infection, and scarring.

Chemical Peel

A chemical peel, during which trichloracetic acid is usually used, progressively removes layers of skin, and eventually the tattoo.

Depending upon the age of the tattoo, and whether the ink is evenly distributed, it is not guaranteed that a chemical peel will completely remove a tattoo. Chemical peels can also cause permanent damage to the skin, such as lightening where the design used to be, or scarring.

Salibrasion

Salibrasion is perhaps one of the oldest methods of tattoo removal, and requires the skin to be “sanded” with salt. A local anesthetic is usually injected around the design, and the skin is aggressively rubbed with salt or a salt sanding block.

Complete tattoo removal can’t be guaranteed, and the procedure can leave the patient with raw, red, burned skin. Scarring is also a possibility with this method.

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment was introduced in the 1980s, and presented the best alternative to tattoo removal. The CO2 laser beam was used to vaporize the ink and the overlying skin, and was less painful, safer, and much easier than other techniques. However, the technique was not perfect. The healing process was long, there was considerable risk of scarring, and in almost all cases a faint image of the tattoo was left behind.

Q-Switched Lasers

Q-Switched Lasers were introduced about 10 years ago, and have been shown to be the most effective way to date to remove tattoos. Q-switched lasers emit light in very short but powerful flashes, which pass through the skin and break up the tattoo pigment.

Because the absorption of the laser light affects the energy’s ability to break up the pigment, different types of q-switched lasers are best used on different colors of pigment.
There are four different types of q-switched lasers:

1.Q-switched ruby lasers have a red light and are effective on most black, blue, and green pigments.

2. Q-switched alexandrite lasers emit a deep red light and are effective for most black, blue, and green pigments.

3. Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers emit an infrared light and are effective on most black and dark blue pigments.

4. Q-switched frequency-doubled Nd:YAG lasers emit a green light and are effective on most red, black, dark blue, and purple pigments.

While tattoo removal with q-switched lasers is completely safe, patients usually experience discomfort on the same scale as receiving the tattoo. A topical anesthetic can be applied one to three hours before treatment. The more treatments the patient has the less pain he or she will feel, as there will be less pigment to absorb the laser energy.

Antibiotic ointment and a light dressing are applied to the area after treatment and normal activity, including showering, can resume the next day. Light blistering or bleeding following the treatment is normal and should subside within a day or two.

All tattoos will require more than one treatment, the average being between five and 10 treatments depending upon the depth of the tattoo, the colors used, the location of the tattoo, and the health of the patient. Fading of the tattoo should be evident about two weeks after treatment, and another treatment can be done as soon as a month later.

While scarring will not occur as a result of q-switched lasers, mild skin texture changes can occur. Darker skinned patients may also experience some skin lightening, though this is usually temporary.

Is it guaranteed that the tattoo will completely disappear when treated with a q-switched laser? Well, because more than 100 tattoo inks are used today, and none of them are regulated by the FDA, it is impossible to predict how a particular ink will respond to laser treatment. However, in most cases the tattoo will completely disappear.

To find a physician board-certified in laser surgery who removes tattoos look in the yellow pages under Cosmetic or Laser Surgery, and/or Tattoo Removal. Or contact the Ethical Cosmetic Surgery Association to find a practitioner in your area.

Dr. Barry Lycka is the President of http://www.LesTout.com and one of the foremost cosmetic dermatologists in North America.