Although there are many ways to remove a tattoo, the only way to have it totally removed in one session is through surgical excision. Of course, the size and location of the tattoo will determine if this is possible, but for those tattoos that Dr. Monasebian deems to be appropriate, this is a very good alternative. The procedure involves simply removing the skin that contains the tattoo. This technique is best used for small tattoos and may not be practical for very large tattoos. The skin surrounding the tattoo is then brought together and closed. This type of tattoo removal will require the use of a local anesthetic or even a general anesthetic depending on the size of the tattoo. A surgical scar will be created by this type of tattoo removal which many people prefer over the appearance of the original tattoo.