Tattoos have been around for centuries. The technology to effectively remove them, however, is relatively new. One technique that has developed over the years is saline tattoo removal. In its essence, the process works to remove unwanted pigment by injecting a saline solution.
It’s used for a variety of purposes including:
- Saline microblading removal
- Saline eyebrow tattoo removal
- Saline tattoo lightening
Below is a cursory look into what this process entails, as well as a helpful comparison of saline versus laser tattoo removal.
What Is Saline Tattoo Removal?
In its early stages, this form of tattoo removal used a combination of saline and salt, often resulting in damaged skin and even pain. Today, there are specially formulated saline solutions instead. These solutions can contain a variety of additional ingredients intended to positively impact healing and the finished result. For example, ingredients like purified water, aloe vera and orange or lemon seed extract may be added. As such, each brand or product in the market may work differently or unexpectedly.
The solution is injected using a hand tool or machine into incisions in a similar fashion to microblading and tattooing. The difference is that the pigment is being pulled out instead of being injected underneath the skin. Saline removal is generally used more for cosmetic tattoos as they aren’t as deep. This can include eyebrow microblading, permanent makeup and small tattoos.
How It Works Step-by-Step
First, the technician will typically apply numbing cream as a way to help minimize pain. The area will then be sterilized. Next, a pen-like tool similar to a tattoo gun is used to make the incisions. The saline solution is deposited into the incisions to remove the ink pigments during what is referred to as the osmosis process. Its purpose is to break down the pigment and assist in pulling it out from the surface of the outer skin.
When the pigment has been successfully extracted, the wound heals and forms a scab. The scab will then fall off and the skin underneath will appear lighter. The healing process can vary depending on skin type and any previous damage. The number of lightening treatment sessions can also vary, but could be determined once the results of the first session have healed. All in all, the process takes roughly eight to ten weeks.
How does this compare to traditional laser tattoo removal? The methods differ due to the fact that one uses a saline solution while the other relies on heat. Designed to break apart the ink particles, laser removal uses pulses of energy to penetrate the skin and be absorbed into the ink. As the ink takes in the energy, it heats up and shatters into tiny fragments, or particles.
These particles are then small enough to be absorbed by white blood cells, transported to the liver and eliminated from the body. With each laser treatment, more and more of the ink is broken down until none remains. For these reasons and more, laser removal is usually the more effective option.
Tattoo Removal with Zapatat
If you have microbladed eyebrows or tattooed makeup which no longer fit your preferences, let our specialists help. Here at Zapatat, we are highly skilled at correcting or removing microbladed eyebrows, as well as body tattoos, large and small.
We’re also proud to offer our own Accelerated Removal Technique, or ARTSM. Safe and very efficient, this technique is a much faster laser method when compared to laser tattoo removal in conventional terms.
Please reach out to us today to learn more about what we have to offer!