Tattoo Removal: Excision

“Excision” means the surgeon uses a scalpel to remove your tattoo from the skin.  First, we’ll numb your tattoo with injectable anesthesia.  Then, we’ll excise the tattoo and suture the area closed in an esthetically-pleasing way.  In some instances, this process may be completed in several stages.  Your surgeon will discuss this during your initial consultation.*

The surgeon will suture the wound closed immediately following the excision.  Absorbable sutures may be placed underneath the skin to pull the edges together.  Nonabsorbable sutures may be used on the outer surface to keep the top layers together and even.  The outer sutures are removed 5-14 days later depending on the body site.  In some cases, the surgeon can use surface sutures that dissolve on their own.*

Sutured wounds are typically lines (incisions) of different lengths depending on the size of the tattoo.  Your incision is placed in a way that minimizes tension and improves the final cosmetic result.  During the first two weeks, the incision may be very red, swollen, and sometimes sensitive.  At the time of suture removal, the incision may still be red and often itchy, especially around the sutures.  After suture removal, the incision gradually softens and becomes less red over the following 3-12 months.*

Wound care instructions will be provided at the time of the surgery along with a printed handout.  The care is simple and involves twice-a-day daily cleaning following by plain petroleum ointment.  Most likely, you will be able to take showers and perform all your normal activities.*

For the first two weeks, you want to pamper the area!  Avoid repetitive motion and any action that might put too much tension on the incision.  For example, if your excision was on your arm, you do not want to swing golf clubs or rake your yard; however, working on the computer would be fine.  Some areas, such as legs, require special care.*

All excisions leave scars, but most are subtle.  The appearance of the scar will be affected by the size of the tattoo and the body site.  Scars on the face, for example, heal with a finer line than scars on the back, where the tension is greater.  The length of the scar may be 3-4 times as long as the excision was wide.  This design rule prevents the scar from staying permanently puckered at the ends.  For example, if you have a tattoo that requires a dime-sized excision, then the scar should be about three dime-sizes long to prevent puckering.

*Medicine is not an exact science and individual results may vary.