Having a tattoo removed by laser therapy isn’t only about sitting at the clinic chair for a few sessions - there’s also a tattoo removal aftermath routine you should know about.

While your first laser tattoo removal treatment and its aftermath will likely be the most intense, once you’ve undergone your first session, you’ll know exactly what to expect in the future.

With that being said, it helps to know exactly what to expect before going into the process. 

So, here are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing for the aftermath of the tattoo removal process. 

How Laser Tattoo Removal Treatment Works

From your first to your last laser treatment, you can expect to undergo the same procedure every time.

Let’s think back to when you got the original tattoo. 

When foreign objects enter the body, like ink pigments from tattoos, the body’s immune system sends white blood cells to collect the intruding particles and excrete them. However, the tattoo remains permanent because the ink particles are too large for the white blood cells to collect and remove. 

Your laser technician will zap the laser on your skin over your unwanted tattoo. The laser sends light energy into the skin’s dermal layer, and this produces heat at such a speed that it shatters the tattoo ink particles into smaller pieces.

During every laser treatment session, the tattoo removal process involves breaking down those particles small enough to be excreted.

Expect The Same Thing After Every Laser Treatment Session 

Your very first laser tattoo removal session will be the biggest shock to your system. As you continue your journey through the tattoo removal process, your body will start becoming accustomed to the treatments until your tattoo is fully removed and your skin is completely healed. 

Aftercare

Laser tattoo removal aftercare is very important. This includes applying a cold compress to the skin immediately after treatment and elevating the treated area if possible. 

Redness, tenderness and sensitivity are common but easily managed by following the aftercare instructions provided by your laser technician. Keep the treated area clean and fresh and apply antiseptic cream regularly to support the healing process.

Keep in mind that from your initial consultation through to when your laser tattoo removal has completely healed, there are certain things you should avoid for the entire duration:

  • direct sun exposure on the treated area;
  • high-pressure water directly on the treated area - as well as swimming in a swimming pool, avoid baths, hot tubs and saunas;
  • high physical activity, or any activity that produces sweat; and
  • putting make-up on, or shaving, the treated area.

Blisters

Tattoo removal blisters are a normal and expected side effect. 

Blisters occur when your body produces fluids within your skin. In this case, the body’s immune system recognises the tiny ink particles as foreign intruders, and it instructs the skin to excrete the tattoo ink along with water to flush them out of the body.

So if your skin begins to blister, it’s undergoing the healing process since your skin secreting and getting rid of the ink is a good thing. 

Remember that healing skin is itchy skin - resist the urge to pop blisters! Instead, apply vitamin E ointment to the treated skin to soothe. 

The fluid bubble, which is the blister, is there to protect and heal the skin. If the blister is popped and the fluid is released prematurely, it not only increases the risk of infection it can cause scarring. 

Allow the blisters sufficient healing time to go down and produce a scab as it dries out. Again, allow the scab to fall off naturally during the healing process rather than picking it off.

How Long Laser Tattoo Removal Takes 

The tattoo removal process can require more or fewer treatments for different people, depending on many different things, from your initial tattoo artist to your laser technician and the laser technology used to your tattoo removal aftercare. 

Most patients require between two and ten sessions.

The following factors may slow down the complete tattoo removal timeframe:

  • large, colourful, intricate tattoos;
  • having a tattoo on your extremities;
  • a brand new tattoo;
  • darker skin tones;
  • not having a healthy and strong immune system; and
  • smoking. 

Before undergoing laser treatment to have a tattoo removed, try to improve your immune system by eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. During and after, be sure to follow the tattoo removal aftercare instructions thoroughly. 

After each laser tattoo removal session, you need to allow your body’s natural immune response sufficient time to remove the ink particles small enough to transport. This includes blistering and scabbing but also includes the scabs falling off naturally and the skin healing.

The first few treatments are usually spaced between six weeks and eight weeks apart. Remember, you’ll experience gradual tattoo lightening over your laser tattoo removal journey as the tattoo particles break down smaller and smaller by the laser light and get removed by the body.

If your treatments are spaced too close together, your body can adapt to the treatment and make it less effective. Therefore, we give most patients ten to twelve weeks between sessions from when the tattoo is around 70% faded.

Why You Should Choose the Tattoo Removal Institute 

At the tattoo removal institute, our customers come first. 

We’ll evaluate your unwanted tattoo at your free initial consultation and consider all the factors contributing to the laser tattoo removal process’ timeline. This is unique and specific to each different person and each different tattoo.

Our promise to our customers is that if we suggest several treatments and your tattoo is still visible by that stage, we’ll continue to treat your tattoo free of charge until you’re satisfied with the results, up to one year. 

We believe in 100% customer satisfaction and 100% laser tattoo removal. 

Key Takeaways 

Most people undergo between two and ten laser removal sessions for complete tattoo removal. However, the number of sessions you may need is dependent on a variety of factors.

You can expect the same side effects after every treatment, and you should continue to focus on your aftercare throughout. 

Until your tattoo is 70% faded, the time between treatment sessions can be between six and eight weeks and between ten and twelve weeks after that. 

For thorough and complete tattoo removal, book your free consultation with the Tattoo Removal Institute today.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. Please check with a physician if you have health questions or concerns about interactions or go to the TGA for a comprehensive list of TGA warnings. Although we attempt to provide accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee is made to that effect.