In the US, about 30% of the people have tattoos. But sometimes, there are tattoos that we’d rather have removed. Whatever the reason, removing a tattoo can be hard. Tattoos are ink designs that are marked into your skin permanently.
However, there are a lot of tattoo removal options that you can choose from, so you won’t be stuck having unwanted tattoos. You can choose from laser, dermabrasion, and excision. The best yet invasive option is the tattoo removal surgery or excision.
A tattoo removal surgery or the surgical excision of tattoos are procedures that can actually remove your problems with unwanted tattoos.
At a single session, your tattoo can be removed, and your skin will be stitched together with surgical excision. This tattoo removal method is probably the quickest and simplest method. The linear scar will fade away after about eight months from the day of the operation.
By: Dr. Tattoff
Here are some surgical techniques to remove your tattoo:
The number of tattoo removal sessions depends on the size and location of your tattoo. This procedure may cut around the tattoo design and draw the cut on skin edges using stitches. This technique is suitable for tattoos that are a few centimeters wide and positioned far from your joints.
When you remove the entire tattoo, it may leave a gap on your skin which isn’t stitched together quickly. In this case, you may go through a staged tattoo removal surgery. This surgery will only remove a sufficient amount of the tattoo to make way for stitching of the wound. A few months later, the wound will probably heal, and a new tattoo removal surgery can be done.
Skin Grafting is a procedure you can choose instead of the staged surgery. This surgery will take another area of your body to fill in the gap of the excision site which can’t be stitched together. Unlike the staged surgery, skin grafting is a single operation. This method may leave a scar on the body on where the skin graft is taken from.
The total cost of the surgical excision of a tattoo depends on a lot of factors. It could range from $100-$400 or maybe more. It could depend on:
The tattoo removal surgery is for those people who wish to remove their previous tattoos. It may be because:
These are some possible reasons why a person with a tattoo would want his or her tattoo removed. You also have to keep realistic expectations and have a firm decision to have your tattoo removed.
A tattoo removal surgery must be done by a certified and expert cosmetic surgeon to accomplish the best results. An unqualified practitioner may lead to surgical complications and unsatisfying results. Keep these factors in mind when choosing a surgeon for your tattoo removal surgery.
Before the surgery, you need to have an initial consultation with your surgeon. Your doctor will review your medical history and may conduct a physical exam. This is your chance to know more about the procedure. You and your doctor will also discuss the risks and the desired results of the procedure.
Your plastic surgeon will provide you pre-operative instructions that you have to follow to avoid complications.
After the surgery, you might feel that your skin is sunburned and tightened. For aftercare, your doctor may prescribe a moisturizing lotion that’ll help ease the uneasiness that you may feel. You’ll be advised not to stay under the sun for too long, or apply a sunscreen with high SPF. The lotion and sunscreen will help avoid excessive scarring.
For continued recovery, you may need to apply an ice pack on the area. There may be antibiotics that you’d have to take to avoid infection.
Compared to other tattoo removal procedures, surgical excision may have better results, especially if you have big tattoos. You’ll be able to get rid of your unwanted tattoo without the possible allergic reactions from tattoo pigments that you might get from laser procedures.