Would serial excision be possible for this tattoo? (Photo)

Question

I was considering excision as I think laser removal might not work on me. Would serial excisions be posible? Would I need a skin graft? And how big would the scar be?

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Thanks so much for your question and photo. There is no reason as to why you can't look into laser tattoo removal for this area. Excision might seem like a quick fix but this is a tricky area to excise. What I would suggest is finding an office that has a Picosecond laser, namely the Piqo4 by Lumenis, as it is the most powerful on the market. Here are my tips for successful tattoo removal. Good luck.Tattoo removal, if not done correctly, can result in either scarring or ghosting.  Here are some tips:
Find a reputable office with a Pico laser. It produces faster results with less scarring than a nano alone.  Tattoo removal shops are not as reputable as a Doctor. Many of these shops close as quickly as they open, leaving you out of luck on pre-paid packages.Stay out of the sun— sunlight can be harmful to healing in after any laser procedureAvoid infections- This means keep your tattoo area clean (i.e. don’t garden right after a tattoo removal on your arm, etc), don’t pick scabs or blisters if they occur.  Follow our post procedure instructions.  Avoid swimming for 48 hours as water can infect the treated areas.Allow healing between treatment sessions- typically 4-8 weeks.Be healthy- while the tattoo laser breaks up the tattoo particles, your body will actually eliminate the particles. Being healthy will help achieve this process faster and allow for consistent healing. Drink lots of water, get adequate sleep, and eat vitamin enriched foods.In our practice we utilize the currently most powerful Pico laser on the market called the PiQo4 by Lumenis.  The main advantage of a stronger tattoo laser (combining nano and pico wavelengths at greater power) is faster breakup of the tattoo.  The science of tattoo removal is complex but essentially the greater power will photo acoustically break up tattoo particles in smaller pieces. 
Best, 
Anil Shah

Richard Ort, MD · Answer

I definitely do not recommend excision for your tattoo.  It is too large in a delicate area with thin, tight skin.  I would recommend that you look into laser treatment.Regards,Dr. Ort

Would serial excision be possible for this tattoo? (Photo)

Answers (2)

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