American Society of Plastic Surgeons
For Medical Professionals
 
storen
4 years ago
Answered

Excision

I am having a hard time finding a dr. who will do a tattoo excision. Is that not something that drs. are willing to do? The tattoo looks awful and I am more interested in a quick removal than the year it will take to remove it via laser.

Procedure: Tattoo Removal
Location: plainfield, IL

Replies 10

Steven Wallach
ASPS Surgeon
Add to Favorites

Surgical excision is possible for smallish tattoos but it will leave a permanent scar. Larger tattoos may not be amenable to excision. You would have to be seen in person.

More
Karol Gutowski
ASPS Surgeon

I do tattoo excision for selected cases but not all tattoos are in an area that excision is appropriate. I'm nearby in Chicago and can see you in Oakbrook.

More
 Show more Replies  Replies 1 less
Lori Cherup
ASPS Surgeon

If the tattoo is large it may not be able to be removed and closed without a skin graft, which will look like a serious surgical scar. Look into Invisible Ink, a laser tattoo remover corporation that has excellent techs and a PICOWAY laser that can do the job without significant scarring. I am the medical director of the one in Pittsburgh. There should be a site near Chicago.

More
Joseph Daw
ASPS Surgeon

Excision with closure is possible if the tattoo is small enough. For larger tattoos, a skin graft may be necessary. Both methods will result in scarring that may be unpredictable. Some patients are motivated enough to accept the resultant scar but this must be absolutely understood. I would be happy to see you for a consultation.

More
 Show more Replies  Replies 1 less
Edward Domanskis

Yes, that can be done but it depends on whee the tattoo is and if there is loose skin to excise the tattoo completely.

Dr. Edward Jonas Domanskis is Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

Newport Beach, San Francisco,Miami, EU, Anguilla

Assistant Clinical Professor of SurgeryWOS-Plastic,University of California (Irvine)

Orange County’s Physician of Excellence/America’s Top Physicians/Top Doctors

Plastic Surgery- 2005-2018

President,American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons

Organoderm Skin care/ScaRxTape

More
Paul Parker
ASPS Surgeon
Add to Favorites

We perform tattoo excision when appropriate. It will leave a permanent scar and the patient must be willing to accept that.

More
Jennifer Greer
ASPS Surgeon
Add to Favorites

Tattoo excision is definitely doable, but will leave a scar. For larger tattoos I have done serial excision (i.e. removing a bit at a time) to keep the scar smaller. So keep looking- there are definitely surgeons who can help!

More
Curtis Wong
ASPS Surgeon

To remove tattoos by excision, there must be enough skin laxity that the defect can be closely approximated to facilitate healing. You are trading a scar for the tattoo removal. If your tattoo could be removed, costs would vary by how long it would take to remove and close the wound with a purse-string suture as they are superior to linear closures as they do not create dog ears. At my prevailing wages, it would be around $600 for 30 minutes of time.

More
Joshua Hyman
ASPS Surgeon

Surgical excision combined with close follow up and scar management is a great option for almost any tattoo. If the tattoo is large I will do a staged excision followed by radar revision either by laser or Morpheus 8.

More
Barry Citron
ASPS Surgeon

Depends upon the size and location. In the last century we had no lasers, but not everyone was a good candidate for tattoo excision. We are all willing to do surgical procedures that we are confident will give you an excellent result. No one wants to be the one who replaces your tattoo with an unsightly or problematic scar. If the best choice to remove your tattoo based upon its size and location is laser tattoo removal, you might have difficulty finding someone who wants to operate. If you have been rejected as a surgical candidate, you should ask why. Best wishes.

More
Logo

Patient Care Center