Tattoos have been in existence since man lived in caves.So have thoughts of tattoo removal.People of various cultures around the world have tattooed themselves for hundreds of years to show tribal affiliation, status, punishment or as a show of a lower social status.Many of Japan's heroes from ancient times had entire body tattoos. Some of those designs are popular to this day among certain members of Japanese organized crime.

Eighteenth century Europe gradually accepted tattooing following the successful exploration of Polynesia and the South Pacific by Captain James Cook. After decades of being considered a questionable practice tattoos have found a place in popular culture. Today, roughly, 25 million Americans have at least one tattoo.

A tattoo is composed of permanent ink injected into the skin. The ancient Polynesians and Japanese used hand held bamboo shoots and needles do this.Today, tattoo machines puncture the skin between 0.6 mm and 2.2 mm. deep. This allows the ink into the skin to form the tattoo.

Modern tattoo ink contains pigment in an alcohol based solution. The Food and Drug Administration considers the ink to be a food additive.Foreign bodies are normally attacked and killed by the immune system but ink pigment is to large on a molecular level and makes the immune system ineffective.

People get tattoos for many reasons. Some get them as a rite of passage or spiritual outlet. Others as a sign of their rebellion. Some just like the idea of having their own tattoo.

Sometimes there are problems with a tattoo. Some people have the misfortune of having the artist make a mistake on their design. Sometimes the artistic quality is a problem. Also, there is the problem of the amateur tattoo. Non-professional work is usually a problem.

Sometimes people don't want the name of their ex-spouse on their body any more. Sometimes a new job requires a cover up or removal. For whatever reason people often want to remove a tattoo. Removal is sometimes the only option and the various practical methods, i.e., laser, tca products, removal creams, dermabrasion and incision must be studied.