The invention relates to medicine and can be used for removing tattoos, scars, keloid and wound cicatrices. The inventive method consists in acting on the epidermal layer with an alternating electric field in such a way that high-frequency discharges are formed between the epidermal layer and a needle electrode. The method makes it possible to effectively remove tattoos of different colors and scars of different nature. The removal is carried out during a minimum time and does not bring about any complications, since the skin areas with defects to be removed are not exposed to excessive thermal action.