Mapperley Park Clinic

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Non Laser Tattoo removal

There are other ways to remove tattoos without the use of a laser but the results can be disappointing and carry a relatively high complication risk.

'Organic' or Acid Removals
Unfortunately we see quite a number of attempts at removal involving acid applied by a tattooist, or any facility offering this as a treatment, since there is no regulatory body controlling who is carrying out these treatments. There are even products available on the internet for use at home. Multiple treatments and considerable recovery time with significant infection risk are involved.

Most of the solutions these treatments use are described as 'organic', being derived from natural products, such as Lactic acid from milk. However, they are used in such strong concentrations that skin damage and scarring are inevitable. We all produce Hydrochloric Acid in our stomachs, but you would certainly not wish to rub this on your skin, much less inject it.

Acids can remove pigment, either by pigment bleaching or the eviction of tattoo pigment during acid-burn healing but unfortunately, acid removal attempts almost always result in scarring with often the remnants of the tattoo still visible. We can help by removing the remaining pigment but the acid scars will be permanent.

Responsible tattooists will not offer or recommend acid removal and will usually have a relationship with a laser specialist. We have good relationships with our local tattooists and the premier tattooist in Nottingham will always give good advice about your options, whether cover-up or removal.

Dermabrasion
Layers of skin are removed, either by a plastic surgeon, a beauty therapist or a piece of sandpaper! To reach tattoo pigment, dermabrasion must reach down to the dermis and full thickness scarring will result. If the dermis is not reached, only partial thickness scarring will occur but remnants of the tattoo can remain.

Surgery
Skin grafting involves removing the skin which contains the tattoo and replacing it with a partial thickness piece of skin from elsewhere on the body and so two areas of scarring will result. It is rarely available on the NHS.

Camouflage
This is not removal but a cover up (it will be your only option for a wedding in 3 weeks time!). Camouflage can be very effective and we do employ the services of a specialist camouflage make up specialist to manage those special days.

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