Surgical Tattoo Removal in Bangalore
Medically reviewed by Dr Sreekar Harinatha, MCh (Plastic Surgery)
Surgical tattoo removal cuts out the tattooed skin and closes the wound with stitches. It is the only way to remove a tattoo completely in a single session. At Contura Clinic, Bangalore, plastic surgeon Dr Sreekar Harinatha performs it, usually under local anaesthesia. It works best for small tattoos and leaves a thin surgical scar in place of the tattoo.
Surgical tattoo removal at a glance
| Sessions | One, for most small tattoos |
| Anaesthesia | Local anaesthesia. General anaesthesia for large tattoos |
| Best for | Small tattoos |
| Large tattoos | Skin graft, staged removal or flaps |
| Scar | A thin surgical line |
| Procedure time | 1–2 hours |
| Stitches | Dissolving, or removed after 7–10 days |
| Cost | Depends on size |
How is a tattoo removed surgically?
- The area is numbed with local anaesthesia.
- The surgeon cuts out the skin that contains the tattoo.
- The skin edges are brought together and stitched, leaving a fine line.
Whether surgery suits you depends on the size and position of the tattoo. Dr Sreekar will advise after examining it.
What about large tattoos?
- Staged (serial) removal: the tattoo is removed in parts over several surgeries.
- Skin graft: the area is covered with skin taken from elsewhere. On the face and neck, a full-thickness graft is used for a better colour match. Elsewhere, a thinner (split-thickness) graft may be used.
- Flaps or tissue expanders in selected cases.
- Laser tattoo removal is often better for large tattoos.
Frequently asked questions
Can a tattoo be removed in one session?
Yes, for small tattoos. Surgical removal takes out the whole tattoo in one session. Laser removal needs several sessions.
Will surgical tattoo removal leave a scar?
Yes. It leaves a thin surgical scar. Most patients prefer a fine scar to the tattoo.
Is surgical tattoo removal painful?
It is done under local anaesthesia, so you shouldn't feel pain during the procedure. Mild soreness afterwards is controlled with painkillers.
Related pages: Laser tattoo removal · Scar treatment · Skin tag and mole removal
About the doctor
Dr Sreekar Harinatha, MBBS, MS, MCh (Plastic Surgery, CMC Vellore), DNB (Plastic Surgery). Karnataka Medical Council Reg. No. 68989. Plastic and cosmetic surgeon at Contura Clinic, Kalyan Nagar. Best Paper Award at the IMCAS conference, Taipei, 2016, for his gynecomastia technique. Author of The Male Breast and over 40 papers in indexed journals. Member of IAAPS, IMA and the European College of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery.
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Results vary from person to person. Every procedure carries risks, which your surgeon will explain at your consultation.