Tattoo removal by split thickness tangential excision.

Split thickness tangential excision is a simple means of tattoo removal with very acceptable cosmetic results. The technique has several advantages. (1) The depth of skin removal may accurately be controlled as the tattoo pigment is excised with a dermatome. The major portion, if not all of the remaining pigment, is extruded and sloughs with the crust. (2) Scar formation, if it occurs at all, is negligible. (3) No donor site is created. (4) The procedure may be carried out rapidly without admitting patients to hospital, is inexpensive for patients and conserves time for physicians.