Chemical and acid peels used as a tattoo removal method and their risks for scarring

Chemical/Acid Peel

This procedure involves using acid or other chemicals to burn away the layers of skin holding the tattoo ink pigments. This procedure has the advantage of removing the tattoo in one session. The disadvantage is this technique will almost certainly result in a scar which looks like a burn. The nature of this treatment does not make it suitable to remove large tattoos. 

There is a substantially increased chance of infection and hence greater scarring, due to the depth of the wound and the exposed flesh. Aftercare is therefore critical to minimise the appearance of scarring. 

Chemical/ acid peels are not preferred methods to remove tattoos due to the highly aggressive nature of the treatment, which is certain to leave a scar and presents a greater risk of infection during the aftercare period. 

We do not recommend this technique for people prone to abnormal scarring or for those worried about scarring as a result of their tattoo removal procedure. 

At City Tattoo Removal we use only state of art laser technology to safely and effectively remove your unwanted ink. This risk of scarring from this procedure is minimal.

See photos below for progress shots and scarring which occurred as a result of a chemical peel treatment: 

Photos courtesy of: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4506436/Student-s-horrific-scars-trying-remove-tattoo.html


Read further on our blog to check out several methods of tattoo removal and their risks for scarring.