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What Can Remove a Tattoo Besides Laser?

asked 1 year ago by 4478anon in MD
Latest answer by Travis L. Shaw, MD
Question viewed 325 times
Tags: shoulder, fade, laser, timing

I got a new tattoo (less than a week ago) on my left shoulder it's all black and 1cm wide and 5 inches long, though came out wrong. I want to know how to remove it or at least fade it enough to just gt microdermabrasion or a new smaller tattoo. Preferably removal though. I am very afraid of laser treatment. What do you recommend? Is Wrecking Ball an option? And how long do I have to wait?

4 answers to What Can Remove a Tattoo Besides Laser?

+2

Tattoo Removal - With or Without Laser

If the tatoo is small enough, it can be fully excised and the edges of skin on each side can be brought together with sutures.  If the sutures are placed under the skin (vs. the outside), they will leave a single linear scar as opposed to "railroad tracks."   If the tattoo is very big, sometimes a series of excisions can be performed over several months, until the tatoo is gone. Also, one can have the tatoo dermibrated, but this will leave a different kind of... more
Deborah Sarnoff, MD

New York Dermatologic Surgeon
+2

Other methods to remove tattoo.

The best and most effective way to remove tattoos is the laser treatment.  They are excisions that can be done for smaller tattoos.
Benjamin Bassichis, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Laser tatttoo removal

Before you forget about laser removal of tattoos, you should see an expert in consultation as the results are better than any other treatment.  Microdermabrasion would have to be so aggressive to draw blood and you would have to do it multiple times with the risk of hypertrophic scarring or keloid, and a change in coloration of the skin, lighter or darker, and these risks might be even greater than that with laser.
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Tattoo removal options

With a tattoo 5 inches long, I would caution you against surgical excision as you are likely to end up with a scar that is even larger than the your tattoo. Wrecking ball and many of the other topical products may cause some minimal fading, but will never give the results of a laser. This is because the laser will break up the tattoo pigments into small fragments which your body will get rid of. No cream or ointment can do this. I agree with Dr Shelton that Dermabrasion would also be very... more
Travis L. Shaw, MD

Richmond Facial Plastic Surgeon

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