Keep the treated area clean and dry

After laser tattoo removal, it’s important to keep the treated area clean and dry. This means avoiding swimming or soaking in water for at least 24 hours after the treatment. You should also avoid using any soaps or lotions on the area for the first few days, as these can irritate the skin. While we take all the necessary precautions to make sure the skin stays free and clear of blistering we are still adding a good amount of heat to the treated area. It’s because of this that we always recommend to our clients to treat it like a sunburn. Aloe vera gel is one of the best things you can use when taking care of your tattoo.

Apply ice packs to reduce swelling

It’s common to experience some swelling and redness in the treated area after laser tattoo removal. To help reduce these symptoms, you can apply ice packs to the area for 10-15 minutes at a time, several times a day. This can help to reduce inflammation and soothe the skin. Another suggestion is to take your Aloe Vera Gel and put it in the refrigerator. Cold aloe not only helps soothe the skin and reduce your swelling but it feels absolutely amazing and we can’t recommend that enough!

Use a high-quality moisturizer

After the first few days, you are ok to start using a high-quality moisturizer to help promote healing and prevent dryness. Look for a product that is specifically designed for sensitive skin and is free from fragrances and other irritating ingredients. Another thing to watch out for is to make sure that your moisturizer is keeping your pores open and allowing them to breathe.

During the laser tattoo removal aftercare process we need to allow your skin to release all the heat from the treatment and clogging your pores will do exactly the opposite, possibly leading to blistering and other complications. Once you know you have a moisturizer that helps your skin heal as well as moisturize feel free to apply it a few times a day to keep the skin hydrated and supple.

Avoid sun exposure

Sun exposure can be damaging to the skin, especially after laser tattoo removal. It’s important to avoid direct sun exposure. Direct sun exposure can lead to hypo and hyperpigmentation and it is important that we take all the necessary precautions to keep this from happening. If you have to be exposed to the sun I always make sure my clients understand to cover the treated area with an article of clothing, preferably in a light color. After the first week you can use high-quality sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 when you are outdoors. This will help to protect the skin from further damage and promote healing.

Following your laser technician’s instructions

I will provide you with specific laser tattoo removal aftercare instructions. It’s important to follow these instructions to ensure proper healing and avoid complications. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to reach out to me for additional guidance.

In conclusion, laser tattoo removal aftercare is essential for ensuring proper healing and minimizing the risk of complications. By keeping the area clean and dry, using a high-quality moisturizer, avoiding sun exposure, and following our instructions, you can help to ensure the best possible results from your treatment.

Tattoo removal factors that you should know about

Many people with old or disliked tattoos wonder about the tattoo removal process. Typically clients come to me with a basic understanding of how the process works, but it can be important to understand the major factors that go into the tattoo removal process and how they might affect your outcome, whether you’re interested in removing a tattoo completely, or simply lightening it up enough to get a tattoo cover up. There are many factors that go into it, but the 3 pillars of laser tattoo removal are: age, saturation and patience.

One of the biggest factors that influences tattoo removal is the age of the tattoo to be removed. This can make a significant different in the success of tattoo removal. Said another way, it’s much easier to remove an old faded out tattoo than it is to remove something that’s less than a couple years old. Tattoos that are over 10 years old are far more likely to be removed 100% in 10-12 sessions. Obviously, factors like your overall health and how heavily the tattoo was done in the first place also influence how long it will take for your process.

Saturation is the next factor for tattoo removal. By saturation, I mean how heavy is the original line work and shading? Are there really deep, dark lines? Is the overall tattoo still very dark, even after 10-20 years? When we mention a tattoo artist being “heavy handed” this is essentially the same thing as saturation.

The tattoo pictured is a great example of a prime candidate for removal. This client is a healthy, non smoking individual, with a ~20 year old grey wash type tattoo that is not completely saturated. Luckily, patience didn’t even come into play with this tattoo, as we only had to complete 2 sessions to see a 90% reduction in the appearance of the tattoo.

If the client left this tattoo just like this, her body would actually metabolize the rest of the ink that’s left over the next year or so and it would go away completely with no scarring or marks of any kind! Awesome!

After 2 tattoo removal sessions this tattoo is almost completely gone — After just 2 tattoo removal sessions

The last pillar of tattoo removal is patience, and it’s something I talk to my clients about quite a bit. There’s a lot of misleading info out there about, well, everything- but especially the tattoo removal process. Social media can make things seem much faster, easier, and unrealistic. There’s a lot to learn when you’re researching this process, so it’s understandable that people aren’t sure about how fast it happens or what the process is really like. Trust me, we all wish it only took 1-2 sessions to complete the tattoo removal process!

The average full tattoo removal will typically be around 10-12 sessions, and this is where the patience comes in. This is a process to renew your body’s canvas. To ensure the integrity of your skin, we work in sessions that are 4-6 weeks apart. This allows your skin to fully heal, and your body to move out the laser blasted ink. If you can adopt the mindset that being patient with the process is part of your tattoo removal or tattoo cover up journey, it will be much easier and more enjoyable!

Choosing to undergo any elective procedure for your appearance can be a stressful experience. Find someone that you believe is there for your best interests and not just trying to sell you a package deal. Make sure you can speak directly to the person who will be performing the laser tattoo removal service for you. Ask questions until you feel comfortable you understand the process. Lastly, make sure you do your research. Ask what kind of laser they’re using, what certifications they have, their perspective on blistering, and how many sessions they anticipate needing to meet your goals.

Don’t forget to check out our FAQ for some commonly asked laser tattoo removal questions, and if you want to speak to a human, fill out this form and let’s chat about your goals!

Cheers,

Jim

Tag: laser tattoo removal

5 Tips for Amazing Laser Tattoo Removal Aftercare