Salabrasion Tattoo Removal

I'd like to start off by saying this post is dedicated to people out there curious into looking for a more cost-effective/alternative method in tattoo removal. Scroll down to the bottom and I'll show you step by step what I'm doing and photos of my progress. Please be advised I am not a doctor and everything I do is at my own consent/risk and my own body. I'm happy to answer questions and if you do decide to do this, take care and do so at your own risk. 

Eternal Blessings

xx

Alright, so a little background:

Previously, I have had several laser sessions done on both hands (I have wording I want removed, eight fingers worth) and was very disappointed with the end result. It was expensive ($250 each session), time consuming and just a straight up hustle in my opinion. 

In the past, I've known people who've burnt them off successfully, cut them off using a blade, but not until recent have I discovered salabrasion. It basically acts as an extra EXTRA strength exfoliating scrub and literally scrubs off the top layers of the epidermis with less scarring vs burning or cutting them off. It's a gradual and painful process but based off what I've seen, it looks promising. I came across several people on YouTube who tried it and was amazed at some of their results. 

Personally, I'm all in when it comes to DIY, especially if it is involving my body. It is truly amazing what the body can endure with self experimentation coupled with practicing extreme caution, patience and self-monitoring of course. I've a pretty high pain tolerance and have recovered from a fibular fracture WITHOUT corrective surgery despite 2 physicians suggestions to undergo surgery, have taken out an IUD on my own (Paragard, which I'll be posting another blog on soon), recovered from MRSA and have dropped over 25lbs in one month's time using fasting techniques and exercise. I'm currently pursing a career in the medical field and I'm supposed to rank into my course next year so I became desperate. These tattoos have to go by the time I enter my field. I'm going to try salabrasion for myself and write about my experience. This is what I've used and this is what I've done so far. 

Materials:

Gauze pads (2in x 2in)

Surgical tape

Antibiotic ointment

Probiotic supplements (for healing process)

Lidocaine (if available)

Insulin Syringe 1mL/cc (if available)

Lanacane first aid spray

Bactine cleansing spray

Tylenol extra strength

Paper towels

Himalayan Salt (finely ground)

Water

Rubbing Alcohol

Small shallow bowl

*Remember*

- Avoid the use of aspirin and drinking alcohol 24hrs before the procedure as they will make the wound bleed excessively. 

- Take 2 Tylenol extra strength 30min - 1hr before procedure.

- Take your probiotic supplement and/or daily multivitamin daily with food. This will help the body keep up with its own normal flora and assist with resistance to infection and regeneration of the skin.

Procedure:

1. Find a well-lit area with a sturdy table where you can fit most of your materials.

2. Sanitize everything. The table, wash it with bleach or lysol. A strong agent is suggested to avoid infection. Remember, you will have open wounds and they are very susceptible to infection so stay as clean as possible.

3. Cover your table with paper towels and wash your hands.

4. In the small shallow bowl, combine himalayan salt and small amount of water to create a thick paste consistency.

5. Shave the skin that is to be treated.

5. Take a piece of gauze with rubbing alcohol and cleanse the skin that is to be abrased. 

6. Fill syringe with lidocaine 30 units, prep and inject only on most superficial layer of skin. Do not use the entire 30 units as the numbing will take effect immediately, inject very small amounts slowly into the area to be treated.

7. If you don't have access to lidocaine injections, spray Lanacane first aid spray on the area to be treated. Let it dry completely.

7. Take another clean gauze out and dip it into the salt/water paste and start firmly rubbing in circular motions on the tattooed area. Do this anywhere from 15-45min depending on your pain threshold.

8. The area will be very red, tender and inflamed. Cleanse the skin with regular soap (Dial), allow to air dry or carefully pat dry with paper towel DO NOT USE A REGULAR TOWEL as this may lead to infection.

9. Spray the area with Bactine cleansing spray, allow to air dry.

10. Put a generous amount of antibiotic ointment on wounds and wrap them with sterile gauze. Secure it so that the tape will not allow anything to go inside the affected area.

11.  Repeat steps 8 - 10 for 3 days. Allow to dry/scab on its own after the 3 days. Try using mederma, bio-oil or Neosporin for the scabbing phase. It may help reduce the scarring. Repeat the entire process after 3 weeks or when your wounds are finally healed and you are physically and emotionally ready.

I did this Sunday night without lidocaine and I will admit, it is pretty painful. Although, during the scrubbing, I found that once you go deep enough, the pain subsides and gets numb on its own. I scrubbed for roughly 20min on each finger. Monday was hell while I was attempting to clean it. I washed with regular soap and sprayed the Lanacane which burned tremendously but luckily, no sign of infection. Some may say this is some type of medieval method to tattoo removal but honestly, at this point in my life I don't want to spend money on laser that is not working for me. I feel as though I need something more invasive. Today, Tuesday, I feel good. The skin is still very tender and I've been using Bactine to clean it. I'm letting it air out, hoping it will start scabbing soon. I'll be trying the lidocaine during my next session in 3 weeks. I will try to post daily, if not, weekly progress on my experience. 

I did the four fingers on my left hand, this is day 3 of healing:

This is the right hand which I intentionally left as is to compare the two over time.

All the best,

Annie

Hello, today is 6/14/2017 1236 MST, I am 10 days into the healing phase. These are my results:

Note: I had been spraying the wounds 3x a day with lanacaine. Also, I'm cleaning the wounds very gently with rubbing alcohol and q-tips on the 5th and 7th day of healing. This allowed me to scrape off the dead skin/scabs that were forming. In doing so, I found that the scabs coming off had ink in them so I feel it is working. Still, no sign of infection. Moisturizing with bio oil.