Learn how sun can affect your removal process
If you’re thinking about your sun exposure and laser tattoo removal, you’re on the right track. Getting a tattoo removed is a highly personal choice, similar to coloring your hair, getting braces, working out, or getting a new piercing. Many people also choose to undergo cosmetic surgery, Botox, microblading, and more. All of these choices are up to the individual, and I respect those who’ve chosen to remove a tattoo. Just like getting a brand new tattoo, removing ink of something of a rite of passage.
Getting rid of a tattoo you are unhappy with is a process. Despite some of the videos or tattoo removal before & afters you may have seen, laser tattoo removal actually happens over time over the course of multiple sessions. Usually we an fully remove a tattoo in 10-14 sessions, but this does depend on the age of the tattoo, saturation and colors involved.
Those who have chosen to remove a tattoo with laser know that they are committing to a journey for the ultimate outcome of being able to beautifully cover up a tattoo they’re unhappy with, or remove it completely. How many sessions a tattoo takes to remove really depends on the age and saturation of the ink…and some other factors like your health.
When you consider an elective process like laser tattoo removal, it’s helpful to think about how it may impact your life, so that you know what to expect. One of the things I talk about often with my new clients is sun exposure. Much like a new tattoo, I advise my clients to stay out of the sun especially right after a laser treatment.
How laser tattoo removal works
Think about the concept of laser tattoo removal: we blast your tattoo with a laser that breaks up all of the ink into tiny particles. These particles then are then flushed through your immune system and out of your body. Then the process is repeated every 4-6 weeks until we have achieved the outcome you desire. More info about the process can be found in our FAQ. A laser can reach temperatures up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit. Imagine how it feels to have a gnarly sunburn, then to spend a few minutes outside in bright hot sun. Not pleasant, right? This is exactly what we try to avoid with sun exposure and laser tattoo removal.
Why blistering can damage your skin
The problem with blistering and tattoo removal is that it can damage your skin permanently. Blistering results from getting burned. Think about any time you’ve touched a hot oven by accident. Maybe you even have a scar somewhere from getting burned at some point in your life (I know I sure as hell do).
When blisters form after getting laser tattoo removal, this can lead to permanent scarring. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you know whoever is doing your treatment has the proper training and is using state of the art equipment. All laser “clinics” are not made equal…and the quality of your skin can suffer because of it.
It’s generally smart to keep the tattoo you’re working on out of the sun as much as possible during treatment. That doesn’t mean YOU have to stay out of this beautiful Colorado weather…just cover it or wear SPF. Sun exposure and laser tattoo removal just don’t mix.
Scarring from blisters is not the only risk you take on when you expose your get sun exposure after tattoo removal. You can also run the risk loss of pigment after tattoo removal when you go into the sun. This is called hypo pigmentation (removing pigmentation/color from your skin). Hyper pigmentation (darkening of the skin) can also occur. Both of these issues are obviously bad outcomes for laser tattoo removal when you’re looking to remove a tattoo or lighten a tattoo for a cover up.
Too much sun before laser tattoo removal treatments can also slow the process down. We all make mistakes, but I advise my clients to be careful about getting sun exposure and laser tattoo removal.
Tanning and laser tattoo removal
Enjoying sun exposure a little too much can cause additional melanin in your skin (making you tanner and darker) and when combined with laser tattoo removal, can cause hyper and hypo pigmentation.
Some clients ask about using tanning lotions or self tanning creams instead of using the tanning bed while getting a tattoo removed. This is also not recommended. These creams can react to the laser and cause hypo pigmentation (lightening of the skin). Your skin also absorbs chemicals it comes into contact with including lotions and creams, and you want your immune system in good shape for this process.
At the end of the day, laser tattoo removal is a commitment with a great reward. It’s awesome to see people stoked that they can completely forget about an old tattoo they had….or see them work with a tattoo artist to create something completely new and special to them. Generally sun exposure and laser tattoo removal just don’t mix. If you choose to get a tattoo removed this is a great time to take care of your health, make sure you’re not smoking, and lay off the tanning beds and creams.
I’m always here to chat about your goals in removing a tattoo you no longer love and answer your questions whether they are about the process, tattoo removal cost, or anything else. Give me a call at the shop or setup a free, no pressure, no judgment consult.
Cheers!
Jim