Tattooing remains enormously popular, but many people eventually regret having it done. Although laser tattoo removal is often a good solution, it is not suitable in every case. Some of the pigments used in certain tattoo colours are resistant to laser treatment, making surgery a good alternative.
If you have a tattoo you’d rather forget, it can be removed at MACS Clinic under local anaesthetic, often in just one visit. Larger tattoos can be removed in stages, over two or three visits. It is possible to remove smaller tattoos in a single stage excision. However, larger tattoos may require several operations as they need to be removed in several stages. This could take several months.
Very large tattoos may require surgical removal and skin grafting, flap reconstruction or tissue expansion.
You will be left with a neat scar, which will fade in time.
- Local anaesthetic procedure
- Can often be done in one session
- Short recovery period, minimal downtime
- Quick and permanent removal of the tattoo
Surgical tattoo removal is a safe, straightforward and reliable procedure. You will be able to resume normal day to day activities the next day, although strenuous exercise should be avoided until the wound has healed and the stitches are out.
The surgery will take approximately 30-40 minutes per stage excision, although you will be with us a little longer in total.
The procedure is usually carried out under local anaesthetic, although a general anaesthetic can be used if necessary.
You will be given a course of painkillers which you can take should you feel any pain postoperatively. Any discomfort is likely to be mild and short-lived.
The procedure will be carried out at MACS Clinic Watford if under local anaesthetic. General anaesthetic procedures will necessitate a stay in a larger hospital.
On the day of the surgery you will stay at the clinic to recover for around two hours following your procedure. Dissolvable stitches will be used which means that they will fall away when the wound has healed, usually within a week to ten days.
