Scars are simply a part of the human body's natural healing process, while tattoos are something people have usually intentionally applied to their bodies. However, as they age many people decide it is time for them to seek the help of a cosmetic surgeon to have the look of scars and tattoos on their body lessened.

Tattoo Removal

Many people in their 40s and 50s reach a point where they have decided that the tattoos they loved as younger adults are no longer appropriate for their current life. Additionally, tattoos do not always hold their quality look over time and sometimes get to a point where they simply must be removed. The good news is that most tattoos can be removed using lasers and other cosmetic surgery techniques. While the tattoo may never be 100% removed, the look of it can be lessened to very acceptable levels.

Scar Removal

Just as people choose to have tattoos removed, they also sometimes choose to have scars removed as well. Whether the scars are caused by an accidental injury or from a surgical procedure, scars can be unsightly if they are in a very obvious location on the body and can cause the owner to become self-conscious about them.

While scars cannot be completely removed by any cosmetic surgeon, their look can be greatly improved through injections and scar revision procedures. The least invasive option for scar removal is through the use of injected steroids. If the scar is located on the face, sometimes a technique known as dermabrasion is used. Dermabrasion involves controlled removal of the top layers of skin using a specialized tool; it will not completely remove scars but it can lessen their appearance.

One of the most common ways for a plastic surgeon to remove scar tissue is to cut out the tissue itself and re-sew up the area using very small stitches. By taking their time, a qualified plastic surgeon can create a new scar in the same area which is much less noticeable than the original for which it is replacing.

Another common plastic surgery scar removal technique involves the cosmetic surgeon repositioning an incision so that it will heal in a natural fold of the skin or in a less visible location on the body.

Skin Grafting and flapping are also cosmetic surgery techniques used to reduce the scar visibility but there are chances that the transferred skin may not exactly match the color and texture of the surrounding skin, thereby producing satisfactory results.

Anesthesia for Tattoo and Scar Removal

Tattoo removal plastic surgery is generally done using local anesthetic in a plastic surgeon's office. However, the more invasive forms of scar removal are usually done under a general anesthesia in a hospital or surgery center's operating room.

Final Thoughts

If you will be undergoing any of these removal procedures, it is vital that you work with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and that you take care to follow all of their instructions both before and after your surgery. By doing so you can ensure that you get the best results possible!