Tattoo Removal Surgery: Important Information You Need to Know
What Is Tattoo Removal Surgery All About
The most traditional tattoo removal surgery is the surgical excision and this is known to be quite effective in removing small tattoos. However, it has also always been known that this kind of removal surgery leaves a scar.
The process of the conventional surgical tattoo removal initially involves the injection of a local anesthetic so that the area to be treated will be numbed before the surgery is commenced. The tattooed skin is then incised, after which the edges are sutured together.
With the excision tattoo removal surgery, there is normally minimal bleeding because of the electrocautery process. This involves rapid sealing of the skin through burning it, thus leading the bleeding reduction.
The surgical tattoo removal of larger tattoos involves the removal of the skin and the placement of a skin graft over the excised area. The skin graft is usually taken from the inside of the thighs or the underarms, where there is minimal scarring.
The site where the tattoo removal surgery was done would be very tender for a length of time after the operation. The degree of scarring and discomfort would be dependent on the size and the location of the tattoo though and would be gone quite fast.
How Do I Prepare for Tattoo Removal Surgery
Although the preparations needed for tattoo removal surgery are basically the same with other surgical cosmetic procedures, there would be pre-operative instructions given by your surgeon that would be specific for this procedure alone.
The most important of these instructions is staying away from the sun for a minimum of four weeks before the surgery. This is to protect the tattooed area of your skin from being exposed to the sun to prevent experiencing pigmentation problems.
The other pre-operative orders from your surgeon before your surgical tattoo removal would be generic to other surgical procedures and these include:
- Staying away from medications that contain ibuprofen or aspirin as well as supplements that could thin the blood so bleeding problems during and after the tattoo removal surgery could be prevented.
- To initiate proper healing, smoking should be stopped at least two weeks before the procedure so that the nicotine content in cigarettes could not hamper the regular blood flow.
- Bathing and cleaning your tattooed skin with surgical or anti-bacterial soap starting a few days before your tattoo removal surgery so it would already be free from bacteria.
- If you are to undergo an outpatient procedure, it is best to arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you for at least 24 hours after.
What Do I Need to Do after Tattoo Removal Surgery
There are number of things that you must do after your surgical tattoo removal that could help make sure that you avoid complications and that your recovery would be rapid and comfortable enough. These aftercare steps include:
- Leaving the protective bandage on the operation site placed there after the surgery. It is advised that you leave this bandage on for a minimum of two hours. However, leaving it in place overnight is also okay.
- Make sure that you clean the operation site well with dish washing soap after the removal of the bandage and keep in mind that you are not to re-bandage the site. Just apply glycerin-based lotions over the site so that it will not dry out and will be able to breathe while healing.
- During the healing period after your tattoo removal surgery, it is advised that you refrain from directly placing the operated site under a shower spray.
- Remember not to expose the operation site to sunlight as this could lead to excessive scarring.
- Stay away from water immersion that could happen during baths or swimming in pools or beaches.
- Never scratch or pick at the peeling or scaling skin because this can lead to excessive scarring as well.
- Shaving over the operated area until it has been healed fully is also a no-no.
How Much Does Tattoo Removal Surgery Cost and What Are the Other Choices
Depending on the size of your tattoo, expect to pay from $100 to more than a thousand dollars for your tattoo removal surgery. Usually the more expensive procedures are those that involve the placing of skin grafts.
If you want to know of the other choices when it comes to tattoo removal surgery, aside from the excision of the tattooed area, then these include laser removal, dermabrasion and intense pulsed light or IPL therapy.
Surgical tattoo removal that uses lasers is now the most popular means of having a tattoo removed. However, there are many who say that the IPL therapy is more cost effective and is less painful.