Tattoos are a popular form of body art, but what happens when you’ve had enough and want to get rid of it? One option is direct surgical excision, which involves cutting out the skin that contains the tattoo. This method is best used for small tattoos and may require the use of a local, regional or general anesthesia depending on the size. In this post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about direct surgical excision for tattoo removal.
The Procedure
Direct surgical excision involves surgically removing the skin containing the tattoo and then closing up the wound with sutures. It is generally considered to be an effective way to remove small tattoos because it removes all of the ink in one procedure. However, it is not recommended for large tattoos as it can be difficult to close up the wound with sutures.
Anesthesia will be required depending on the size of the tattoo being removed. Local anesthesia will numb just a small area around your tattoo, while regional or general anesthesia will put you completely asleep during surgery. If a general anesthesia is used, you will need someone to drive you home from your appointment.
Post-Procedure Care
After your surgery, bandages should remain in place for at least 48 hours before they can be removed. Once they have been taken off, cleanse the area with soap and water daily and apply a dressing for at least one week following surgery. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics or ointments to help with healing and reduce any risk of infection during recovery.
Conclusion:
Direct surgical excision is an effective way to remove small tattoos but may not be suitable for larger ones due to difficulty in stitching up any resulting wounds. Depending on how big your tattoo is, you may require local, regional or even general anesthesia during your procedure and post-procedure care should include keeping bandages on for 48 hours after surgery as well as cleaning and dressing any resulting wounds daily while they heal over time. If you are considering getting a tattoo removed by this method, talk to your doctor first so that together you can determine if this type of removal is right for you based on size and other factors such as medical history or existing health concerns that could have an impact on your ability to undergo surgery safely.