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Do Chemical Peels (for Tattoo Removal) Leave a Scar or Cause Hypopigmentation on Darker Skin?

asked 1 year ago by fooki in finland
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 648 times
Tags: arms, male, dark skin, hypopigmentation, scar

2 answers to Do Chemical Peels (for Tattoo Removal) Leave a Scar or Cause Hypopigmentation on Darker Skin?

+1

Tattoo removal not best done by chemical peel, but laser

Tattoos are deeply pigmented granules. Chemical peels don't penetrate enough to cause separation of the pigment, but it could cause scarring if it's a deep peel. laser is more effective and safe. In the olden days, salt was rubbed on the skin and this created a surface wound through which tattoo particles left the skin. Dermabrasion, which involves a diamond wheel, can be used to burr off the skin at the stretch mark.
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Chemical peels for tattoo removal

Because tattoo pigment sits deeper in the skin than the epidermis, chemical peels (which remove the epidermis) are not recommended for tattoo removal. Deeper peels can leave scars and discoloration of the skin. Tattoos are best treated with Q-switched lasers (that is, lasers with very short wavelength pulses) for the best results.
Bryan K. Chen, MD

San Diego Dermatologist

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