Surgical Tattoo Removal

Mr Banwell, Cosmetic Surgeon is one of the leading specialists in the area of surgical tattoo removal (excision) in the UK.

He performs effective surgical tattoo removal, tattoo excision and laser tattoo removal in his clinics (The Banwell Clinic) in the South East of England. As a specialist in this field, he attracts patients from all over the country for these affordable procedures. For tattoo excision, laser tattoo removal and surgical tattoo removal in London, Kent , Surrey and or indeed further afield please email help@paulebanwell.com or phone 01342 330302. His team would be happy to discuss your requirements.

SURGICAL TATTOO REMOVAL/ EXCISION

Surgical tattoo removal refers to the surgical excision (cutting out) of a tattoo on the skin. This is carried out by Mr Paul Banwell FRCS(Plast), Consultant Plastic Surgeon, who is a specialist in tattoo removal. The resultant wound is usually then put back together with stitches (sutures). Surgical excision swaps the tattoo for a (usually) linear scar. Sometimes it is not possible to remove the tattoo all in one go and several procedures are required (serial tattoo excision) – this usually applies to medium to large tattoos and those in difficult anatomical locations. Mr Banwell will advise on whether surgical removal is possible when he sees you in the clinic; please note that photographs sent through in advance can also be very useful. Please note that larger tattoos may not be suitable for this technique and skin grafting may be the only surgical option.

HISTORY OF TATTOOS

The facts say historically, tattoos have been around as a means of changing body image for centuries. For instance, in 1991 an ice mummy (dating back to 3000BC) was found in the Alps with over 50 tattoos on the body. The connotations of tattoos have also changed over time too: in the past they used to be associated with criminals and less favourable members of society but today celebrities and high profile figures sport tattoos as body art and act as role models for younger people. Never before have tattoos been more popular and the number of outlets in the UK offering tattoo services has almost doubled in the last few years (to over 1300!). There now appears to be no stigmatisation amongst the general population with having tattoos on their bodies, and tattoos are becoming more common among women, professionals and all ethnic groups.

Statistics say probably over 20 million people in the United Kingdom have a tattoo of some kind on their body and various surveys in the USA reveal on average that about 35% of young Americans aged between 18 to 29, 25% of those between 30 to 40 years and 10% of those between 40 to 49 years have tattoos.  Esquire Magazine estimated in 2002 that 1 in 8 Americans was tattooed. That is a lot of tattoos.

REGRET & ALTERED JOB PROSPECTS

However, just as the popularity for tattoos increases, so does the desire for removal too: Mr Banwell has seen a rapid demand for tattoo removal as people either have regrets about having a tattoo or feel as though it is hindering their job prospects or personal relationships. Many of his patients have tried extensive (unsuccessful) courses of laser removal but then come to him for definitive surgical removal. “Whilst lasers can be useful for removal of some tattoos, many of my patients come to me disappointed and seeking an alternative solution. Surgical removal is often possible under a local anaesthetic in the outpatient department either in one sitting or as part of serial removal. The results can be very rewarding and patients are delighted.” However, some larger tattoos may require a skin graft or may not be suitable for removal at all (eg. ‘sleeve’ tattoos).

HAPPY TATTOO EXCISION PATIENTS

Mr Banwell recently received a letter of thanks from a grateful patient who had obtained a tattoo in her younger days, in a moment of madness, which had subsequently been a source of embarrassment for many years. “It is very gratifying to see that such a simple procedure can have such a major effect on someone’s well-being”.

Mr Banwell can be consulted in East Grinstead for guaranteed tattoo removal, Harley Street London for surgical tattoo removal, Haywards Heath for surgical tattoo excision, Brighton for tattoo excision and Tunbridge Wells for tattoo excision. He accepts patients from all over the UK and indeed the world. One of his grateful patients appeared in The Telegraph discussing her experiences and indeed has written an influential blog on the subject.