The skin is "sanded" to remove the epidermis and dermis along with the ink. This is the oldest methods of tattoo removal going back more than 5000 years and is based primarily on abrasion with a metal tool. When used in combination with salt as a grit it is sometimes called salabrasion. When the skin is frozen beforehand, to reduce bleeding and pain, it is refered to as cryosurgery.

This is a painful procedure that can easily lead to scarring or infection. In general it is not practiced nor recommended nowadays.