POST LASER TATTOO REMOVAL:
What To do After your Laser Tattoo Removal
24 hours after:
Avoid Heat and Sweat: This includes direct sunlight, strenuous exercise, steam rooms, saunas, and hot showers.
-
Hygiene: Maintain the treated area in a clean condition. Refrain from applying makeup or any products that may cause irritation.
-
Clothing: Avoid wearing tight or restrictive garments over the treated area, such as compression leggings, bodysuits, leotards, or similar clothing that may cause friction or occlusion.
1 - 4 days after:
-
Sun Exposure: Avoid direct sunlight and the use of tanning beds. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 or higher daily. When outdoors, utilize physical protection such as wide-brimmed hats, large sunglasses, and breathable, protective clothing.
-
Topical Products: Refrain from applying products that may cause irritation to the treated area. This includes harsh soaps, exfoliating scrubs, medicated washes, retinoids, fragranced lotions, essential oils, and chemical peels.
-
Bathing and Water Exposure: Avoid hot showers, baths, saunas, and swimming pools of any temperature. When cleansing the area, use cool or lukewarm water with a mild, non-irritating cleanser. Gently pat the skin dry with a clean, soft towel—do not rub.
-
Mechanical Irritation: Do not scratch, scrub, or shave the treated area until fully healed.
-
Moisturization: To minimize irritation or pruritus, apply 1% hydrocortisone cream mixed with Vaseline® or Aquaphor® up to three times daily, or as directed by your provider.
- Avoid Alcohol-Based Products: Skincare or cosmetics with alcohol can dry and irritate the skin. Stick to alcohol-free options.
Between Your Appointments
-
Sun Protection Is a Must (Minimum 2 Weeks): Limit sun exposure and apply SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. Reapply every 2 hours when outdoors.
-
Exfoliation: If you shaved the area before your treatment, once redness and sensitivity subside (usually after 3 days), begin gentle exfoliation 2–3 times per week using a soft washcloth, exfoliating mitt, or mild scrub with fine particles, and optionally a light AHA/BHA product such as lactic acid or salicylic acid if your skin is not irritated to avoid ingrown hair.
-
Moisturization: To minimize irritation or pruritus, apply 1% hydrocortisone cream mixed with Vaseline® or Aquaphor® up to three times daily, or as directed by your provider.
- For Sensitive or Dry Skin: Introduce serums with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycerin or peptides to help strengthen the skin barrier and support healing.
- For Pigmentation Concerns: Starting 5-7 days after treatment, use brightening ingredients like Vitamin C, retinoids, kojic acid, azelaic acid, or tranexamic acid. Discontinue use 5 days before your next session to avoid sensitivity.
- Don’t Pick or Rub: If you notice flaking or light scabbing (common with spot or texturizing treatments), let it heal naturally. Picking can cause irritation, scarring, or pigmentation.
- Don’t Pick Pimples: Some mild breakouts may occur due to increased cell turnover. Let them resolve naturally to avoid post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
What to Except after Laser Tattoo Removal
Laser tattoo removal works by using high-intensity laser light to break down the ink particles embedded in the skin into smaller fragments.
Over the following weeks and multiple sessions, your body’s immune system gradually flushes out these ink particles, leading to progressive fading and lightening of the tattoo with each treatment.
Right After Treatment
72 Hours After
Between 1-8 weeks
Between 8-12 weeks
Results after your each treatment
Deep layer of ink are targeted with laser and being breakdown.
Ink particles are removed by body metabolism
Ink Removal may be patch due to the different depth and concentration of the deposited ink.
How To Take Care The Common Side Effects
Red and Swelling
-
Cold Pack and/or Cold Bath: Apply cold packs to the treated area, ensuring they are wrapped in a barrier such as a towel. Alternate the packs on and off every three to five minutes for a total of one to two hours. If the legs were treated, avoid prolonged standing and keep them elevated as much as possible throughout the day.
-
Avoid Heat and Sweat: This includes direct sunlight, strenuous exercise, steam rooms, saunas, and hot showers.
-
Hygiene: Maintain the treated area in a clean condition. Refrain from applying makeup or any products that may cause irritation.
-
Clothing: Avoid wearing tight or restrictive garments over the treated area, such as compression leggings, bodysuits, leotards, or similar clothing that may cause friction or occlusion.
-
Avoid Picking: Keep the treated area protected to prevent damage and reduce the risk of hypo- or hyperpigmentation.
-
Over-the-Counter Topicals to Consider: Hydrocortisone 1% mixed with either Aloe Vera gel, Vaseline®, or Aquaphor®, up to three times a day.
-
Over-the-Counter Antihistamines: Benadryl®, Allergra®, Claritin®, or other generic antihistamines as needed.
Blistering
-
No Popping, Scratching or Peeling any blister, it is a natural barrier from infection.
-
Cold Pack and/or Cold Bath: Apply cold packs to the treated area, ensuring they are wrapped in a barrier such as a towel. Alternate the packs on and off every three to five minutes for a total of one to two hours. If the legs were treated, avoid prolonged standing and keep them elevated as much as possible throughout the day.
-
Avoid Heat and Sweat: This includes direct sunlight, strenuous exercise, steam rooms, saunas, and hot showers.
-
Hygiene: Maintain the treated area in a clean condition. Refrain from applying makeup or any products that may cause irritation.
-
Clothing: Avoid wearing tight or restrictive garments over the treated area, such as compression leggings, bodysuits, leotards, or similar clothing that may cause friction or occlusion.
-
Avoid Picking: Keep the treated area protected to prevent damage and reduce the risk of hypo- or hyperpigmentation.
-
Large Blister: if the blister is over the size of a quarter, please contact us
Irritation
-
Soothing Gel: Use aloe vera gel or a fragrance-free, calming moisturizer to hydrate and soothe the skin; avoid products with perfume or alcohol.
-
Sun Protection: Avoid direct sunlight and apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen daily to prevent dark spots or irritation.
-
Avoid Heat and Sweat: This includes direct sunlight, strenuous exercise, steam rooms, saunas, and hot showers.
-
Hygiene: Maintain the treated area in a clean condition. Refrain from applying makeup or any products that may cause irritation.
-
Clothing: Avoid wearing tight or restrictive garments over the treated area, such as compression leggings, bodysuits, leotards, or similar clothing that may cause friction or occlusion.
-
Gentle Care: Do not use scrubs, retinoids, acids, or exfoliating products until the skin is fully healed, usually after 3–5 days.
-
Over-the-Counter Topicals to Consider: Hydrocortisone 1% mixed with either Aloe Vera gel, Vaseline®, or Aquaphor®, up to three times a day.
