Can I Have My Tattoo Cut Out And Skin Grafted?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have a tattoo on the side of my arm that i would love to get removed. I’m assuming skin graft would be needed. Any info helps. Thanks a ton.

A:In large multicolored tattoos the standard treatment approach would be laser treatments. Between the large number of treatments needed and that complete removal of the tattoo may not be possible these are reasons why patients may seek excision and skin grafting. The problem with skin grafting is that the result is not usually what the patient perceives. A skin graft is going to look like a large patch of scarred skin. It will not look like normal skin. While tattoo will be gone this is a significant aesthetic trade-off particularly when you’re looking at the treatment of the tattoo as opposed to any other form of reconstructive surgery. Depending upon the emotional significance of the tattoo this aesthetic trade-off may be worth it for some patients. But if one is under the perception that is going to look like normal skin that would not be an accurate perception of the result.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon