Decorative and traumatic tattoo biophysics and removal
Apfelberg, D.B.; Manchester, G.H.
Clinics in Plastic Surgery 14(2): 243-251
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0094-1298 PMID: 3581658 Document Number: 288127
Decorative and traumatic tattoos represent foreign-body implantation into various depths of the dermis. Many methods of removal have been attempted with varying rates of success. Surgical excision with primary closure or grafts or flaps may be successful. Mechanical or chemical removal is useful as well. Thermic treatment including use of the argon and carbon dioxide lasers can remove tattoo pigment satisfactorily.