Laser tattoo removal is a popular and effective way to get rid of unwanted tattoos. However, as with any medical procedure, it’s important to take proper care of your skin afterward to ensure the best possible results and minimize any potential complications. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some tips for laser tattoo removal aftercare.
Laser tattoo removal aftercare and water/sun exposure
It’s important to keep the treated area clean and dry. You should avoid swimming, bathing, or soaking the area for at least 24 hours after treatment. We always recommend to our clients not to shower for 24 hours. 1. you will expose the treated area to hot water which can cause adverse reactions like blistering and 2, you can also cause infections to take place due to the skin’s sensitive condition. It’s also important to avoid applying any lotions, creams, or ointments to the area, as these can trap bacteria and cause infection.
Sunlight
Avoid exposing the treated area to sunlight or tanning beds for at least two weeks after treatment. Sun exposure can cause the treated area to become darker or discolored, which can negatively impact the final results of your tattoo removal.
Exercise / Lifting
It’s also important to keep the treated area protected from friction or pressure. This means avoiding tight clothing or jewelry that could rub against the area, and avoiding activities that could put pressure on the area until the treated area is healed, such as heavy lifting. Exercise is a good thing for laser tattoo removal as it gets your blood flowing better and can help the body to remove those particles of ink in your skin.
On the other hand, overstressing the treated area can negatively impact your treatment due to the sensitivity of the skin and putting too much pressure on it. The most important thing to remember is to give your treated area 7 days before returning to a normal workout routine.
Sports
While most sports are fine when working on laser tattoo removal there are some that you may need to take a break from. Water sports are not recommended for the first 7 to 10 days after treatment. This goes back to what we talked about with soaking the treated area. While taking a shower after 24 hours is ok, daily activities like swimming will cause you to keep the treated area in the water for a prolonged period of time and that can lead to infection.
Other sports such as golf or basketball are ok but we don’t recommend them for the first 5 days after treatment and we always want to make sure and cover up our treated areas when doing anything outside.
Redness and Swelling
You may experience some redness, swelling, or mild discomfort in the treated area, which is normal. To alleviate these symptoms, you can apply a cold compress to the area or take over-the-counter pain medication such as Advil. One of the best laser tattoo removal aftercare solutions we have found is using cold Aloe on the treated area. Grab some Aloe from your local store and toss it in the refrigerator, it’s amazing how much it can relieve redness and swelling in the first 24/48 hours. We also recommend a little Cortisone cream for any excessive itching in the area as long as no blistering has occurred.
It’s also important to follow any additional instructions provided by your laser tattoo removal technician or physician. We have laser tattoo removal aftercare paperwork that we send home with each of our clients up completion of their first treatment and it will give you all the guidelines you need in order to have the best aftercare experience possible.
In conclusion, proper aftercare is essential for achieving the best results from laser tattoo removal. By keeping the treated area clean, dry, and protected from sun and friction, you can help ensure that your tattoo removal is as successful as possible. If you have any concerns or questions, be sure to reach out to Black Sage or your physician for guidance.