We all make mistakes, but no one wants to see evidence of the same printed on their bodies! Thankfully, you get a tattoo that you regret later on, you can always get it lasered off.

Here’s something that not a lot of people know: even when you’re planning to get a cover-up tattoo, you still have to go through the process of laser tattoo removal so that the ink is faded sufficiently enough for the artist to draw something new over it.

Whether you’re planning to get a tattoo removed completely, or want to cover one up, you must ensure that you take care of it well after the laser process.

Here’s everything you need to know about a faster recovery after tattoo removal:

How does tattoo removal work?

During the tattoo removal process, a laser light is applied onto the tattoo in order to fade the ink. As a part of this process, the laser light is absorbed by the ink, which then breaks down into tiny molecules. These are then ejected from the body via the digestive system.

As this is a slow-paced process, you can expect multiple laser sessions before the tattoo completely fades. You must also maintain a gap of eight weeks between each session. Depending on how large and detailed the tattoo is, it can take anywhere between 2-3 months for it to fade properly.

Are there any side effects of tattoo removal?

As is the case with most medical procedures, there are certain side effects that you can expect after a laser session. These include:

Blistering:

if you generally get blisters after sun exposure or sunburns, then there are chances of getting blisters when you get laser tattoo removal. Whatever you do, don’t pop the blister! This can result in an infection!

Swelling:

Just like your skin and muscles swelled a little after getting the tattoo, you can expect a little bit of swelling to occur after you get the laser procedure. This is normal. However, if it doesn’t go away in a few days, then you might want to consult with your dermatologist.

Redness:

Your skin can also become a little red after the laser procedure. Like the swelling, this is to be expected, but you must contact your doctor immediately if it doesn’t go away on its own in a few days.

Itchiness:

You might experience a little bit of itchiness after the treatment.

Infections:

If you develop an injection on the tattooed area after the procedure, you must contact your doctor. Signs of an infection include redness, swelling, and pus-like discharge. You may even feel discomfort and pain, and might also develop a fever in response to the infection.

Crusting and scabbing:

You might confuse this for an infection, but don’t worry because the crusting and scabbing are quite normal. Just don’t pick the scabs because that can lead to scarring or even infections if the wound starts to bleed.

Allergies:

If you’re allergic to laser treatments, your body will respond by developing hives almost immediately. In such cases, we’ll diagnose the issue on the spot and offer the medical care you need.

Aftercare tips you should know of:

After getting the laser treatment, we recommend that you keep the area clean and free from exposure to sun and heat. This will ensure that the skin heals correctly and does not burn due to exposure to the sun. You can opt to wear full-sleeved clothing if the tattoo is on your arm to prevent sun exposure. Finally, icing the area or using topical ointments to soothe itching is also recommended based on your case.

Do you have a tattoo that you deeply regret? Get in touch with us and we’ll laser it off for you!