What To Expect After Laser Tattoo Removal

If you have made the decision to have your tattoo removed, you may be contemplating what comes next, such as what will happen to your skin immediately after, during the healing process and in-between treatments and the do’s and don’ts for proper after care. Below we answer these questions and more to help you be prepared and equipped with right knowledge throughout your tattoo removal journey.

Immediately After Treatment

Whilst PicoSure is the safest and most effective picosecond tattoo removal technology in the industry, depending on your skin type and sensitivity, you may experience a range of different side effects after a treatment. The most common observable effects that you may experience after your first treatment include mild swelling across the treated area, as well as some redness.

Other symptoms may include a tingling sensation similar to a sunburn, mild skin discolouration, itching or mild blistering. If you experience any of these side effects, it is important to remember that they are common and all depends on the type of tattoo and your skin type. Some of the symptoms, including post-treatment blisters, actually indicate that your body is healing as it should be and while these symptoms may be uncomfortable, they also are a positive signal of your body responding to the treatment.

Further to this, directly following a treatment and during the removal process, your tattoo may experience a ‘white frosting’ effect. Tattoo frosting is incredibly common, safe and an expected component of your laser tattoo removal treatment. For more information about Tattoo Frosting, read our blog post that explores the chemical reaction in depth.

Like all treatments, if you suspect that your symptoms are abnormal or are quite painful, be sure to contact a medical professional immediately.

During The First Few Days

Within the first few days post-treatment your skin will be at its most tender. Your practitioner may have applied a bandage over the treated area to keep your skin protected as it begins to heal. It is important to not fuss or fiddle with the bandage in the first day as this can irritate your skin. It is also recommended that you avoid showering or soaking the treated skin within this time frame.

Following the first 72 hours, your practitioner may advise removing or uncovering the bandage to allow the skin to breathe and properly heal. In this instance be sure to keep the area dry and clean as best as possible and avoid rubbing the area, as this can further irritate the tender skin.

It is also essential to stay hydrated as your body heals and avoid any physical activity or sweating for at least 24 hours after a treatment.

General Aftercare and Tips

Laser tattoo removal aftercare is critical to a successful tattoo removal process, as it will help your body heal better and faster after each treatment. As your skin begins to heal it is advisable to begin using topical soothing creams as advised by your practitioner. Vitamin E or aloe vera creams will help to soothe irritated or itching skin, as well as help to prevent any scarring. It is also beneficial to use sunscreen on the area, as treated skin can be particularly sensitive to sunlight after treatments, however, spending excessive amount of time in the sun should be completely avoided.

During this time, while it is okay to have lukewarm showers and clean the treated area, soaking in water should be completely avoided throughout the entire removal process. Exposing your skin to the water in a bathtub, swimming pool or hot tub puts you at risk for an infection and will significantly slow the recovery process.

Tanning of any kind and shaving the treated area should also be avoided until the skin has completely healed.

Why Choose PicoSure?

FDA cleared and TGA listed, PicoSure is the most trusted and versatile technology for tattoo removal. Delivering ultra-short pulse bursts of energy onto the skin, tattoo ink is shattered into tiny dust like particles so that the body can safely and easily eliminate the ink. With each session lasting just 20 minutes, our non-invasive PicoSure technology is perfect for slotting into busy schedules.

To begin your journey to tattoo free skin, contact us today to find your closest clinic.