Tattoo Removal

What can I expect?

Depending on the size of the tattoo to be removed, it may be possible to treat you in the minor operations room in our Outpatients department.

Small tattoos can be excised (direct closure), or a skin graft may be required if the tattoo is large. If very large, serial excision can be performed over a period of months.

Direct closure can be performed under Local Anaesthetic.

 The sutures are removed (if not dissolving) according to site of wound (e.g. back 10-14 days, arm 5-7 days).

Skin coloured surgical tape is applied for minimum 2 weeks to help support the scar and scar maturation.

The scar will need moisturising (with a bland moisturiser) and massaging to help with the final result.

Minimal discomfort may be experienced after tattoo removal, which can be easily controlled with painkillers of your choice.

Bathing/showering is allowed so long as care is taken not to get the dressings wet. Use a hairdryer on a cool setting to dry the dressings.

 Sun block should be worn for 18-24 months over the affected areas as it will be prone to burning.

Skin grafting can be performed under Local Anaesthetic.

 This involves taking a piece of skin from an area near the tattoo (better skin tone match).

This skin is held in place with sutures (with a pressure pad) for 7-14 days and then inspected.

If healed the grafted area may be left exposed and moisturiser applied to help with maturation and the final result. If not healed, the graft will be redressed and left for another 5-7 days.

The donor site usually heals in 7-14 days (like a graze).

Minimal discomfort may be experienced which can be easily controlled with painkillers of your choice.

Bathing/showering is allowed so long as care is taken not to get the dressings wet.

Sun block should be worn for 18-24 months over the affected areas as they will be prone to burning.