Is a skin graft procedure possible for removing a tattoo. I'm allergic to the pigment in my tattoo. I’ve looked into laser, but everyone has said it will make the allergic response worse. Tattoo is 3x3 on forearm.
The common misconception is that laser removes a tattoo from the body when in fact it does not do so. The laser breaks the pigment into smaller fragments that are carried off by cells deeper into the body specifically to lymph nodes. If you are having an adverse reaction to the pigment the last thing you want to do is drive it deeper into the body. It sounds like your best option with the smallest scar load is external skin expansion with something like DermaClose for a week to 10 days and then direct tattoo excision with skin suture closure. That should leave you with a scar slightly longer than 3cm but much narrower than a skin graft and also without a skin graft donor site scar.
My response does not represent formal medical advice or constitute a doctor patient relationship. You need to consult with i.e. personally see a board certified plastic surgeon to know if this assessment is valid and to make an informed decision regarding surgery.
Removal of tattoo by surgical method is a choice if laser removal of tattoo is not considered. There are many different surgical plans designed according to your skin laxity. If you pinch the forearm skin and find that tattoo can be pinch up without tension, there is a possibility that tattoo can be excised and sutured primarily with a linear suture mark. If skin tension is high, then different types of flaps designed by different plastic surgeons can help to solve the problem.
Tissue expander to increase you skin laxity is another choice. The full thickness of skin from groin area is a good source of skin graft for forearm either in color or texture.
Hello!
This can most definitely be done. You will want to confirm that you are allergic before going ahead with a skin graft as a laser would give you a more natural result. However if you do indeed have a significant allergy that does not allow laser treatment, removing that skin and reconstructing it with a skin graft is absolutely an option. You will want to be aware that this may have a patch-like appearance, so I recommend exploring all available options first.
Best of luck on your journey.