Cosmetic Surgery Can Remove Ugly Scars and Tattoos That You've Outgrown

Whether you want to remove those old, and now inappropriate, tattoos you got done in a high-spirited moment of your youth or just want to remove an ugly scar on your body, cosmetic surgery has solutions for you.

Although they are a part of your body's natural healing process, ugly scars left by a wound that has healed can mar your appearance and lower your confidence in social situations. Tattoos, on the other hand, are something you thought looked cool at another time in your life and are proving embarrassing now that you've outgrown that phase.

Tattoo Removal With Cosmetic Surgery

Is that tattoo that sports the name of your first crush now looking a little worse for wear or creating trouble with the woman in your life? Then it's probably time to get rid of it. Tattoos that we got in the wild days of our youth can begin to look somewhat inappropriate as we grow up, get a job and start getting a bit wrinkled. At some point in our life we may regret getting them and wonder how to get rid of them short of cutting off a limb.

Well, aging hippies now have recourse to laser skin resurfacing and other cosmetic surgery techniques that will diminish tattoos. While they cannot remove the pattern altogether, they can reduce it to an acceptable level and make them much less visible.

Scar Removal With Cosmetic Surgery

Scars are much more serious issues because they are not intentional and can wreak havoc on a person's self-esteem. If you've got ugly scars from an accident or injury in your youth and have always wished you could get rid of them, cosmetic surgery now has the solutions you wished you always had.

Although they cannot be removed 100 percent, they can be greatly reduced to a point where they are barely visible, depending on the scar. One technique used for scar removal is the injection of steroids into the affected area. For scars on the face, a technique known as dermabrasion is used that removes the surface layers of the skin using a specialized tool.

Another common technique used by cosmetic surgeons is to cut out the scar tissue and sew up the wound with small stitches to allow it to heal properly. With extreme care and new techniques to promote optimal recovery, the new scar formed will be much less visible than the first. Another technique used is to reposition or move the scar to a location where it will be hidden, such as in a natural fold of the skin.

Some surgeons use methods like skin grafting or flapping to reduce the visibility of the scar. The disadvantage with this technique is that the color and texture of the graft may not exactly match that of the host skin so it may not look as you want it to or may have to use makeup to blend it in with the surrounding skin.

Anesthetic Techniques Used for Tattoo and Scar Removal

While tattoo removal is generally performed in a plastic surgeon's office under local anesthesia, scar removal surgery can be more invasive and may require general anesthesia performed in a hospital or in the operation theatre of your surgeon's practice. Make sure a procedure that requires general anesthesia is performed in an operating room equipped with all the emergency equipment, should you have an adverse reaction to the anesthetic.

Also ensure that you take use due diligence in choosing a surgeon who is certified as a plastic surgeon and has the experience to handle your procedure and any complications that may ensure. Follow all of your surgeon's post-op instructions carefully to make sure your recovery and healing is free of complications and you get the results you desire.