Not everyone who wants an old tattoo removed is saying no to getting some fresh tattoo ink. For some, laser removal is a chance to create a blank canvas ready for a new design.
If this is you, a question you might be asking yourself is, Can you tattoo over laser treatment? And, how long after tattoo removal can you get a tattoo? The truth is laser tattoo removal is a process and requires some patience, especially if you want a new tattoo after laser removal.
But do not worry, our laser tattoo removal experts are here to break down how the tattoo removal process works, and how much time you will need to wait before getting a new one.
If you want to speak to a laser specialist in person, please get in touch with us via the link below.
What happens during laser tattoo removal sessions?
Laser tattoo removal treatment is one of the most safe and effective ways to fade or completely remove an unwanted tattoo.
At Zapp Laser Studio, we use the PicoSure laser treatment. This is because it uses the most advanced laser technology to precisely target and break down tattoo ink without harming the treated skin. It also removes all colours from the spectrum, including the most challenging ones such as greens and blues.
The laser tattoo removal process
Each session of laser tattoo removal is a simple process and is quite quick. For a small tattoo, one tattoo removal session can take just a few seconds. For larger tattoos or more complex tattoos, it can take ten minutes.
Your laser treatment specialist will first ensure that your treatment area is clean and ready for the laser. The PicoSure device works by firing ultra-short pulses of laser light energy at a fast rate. This not only offers speed but also precision. This is because it directly targets the tattoo ink so it can break them down into smaller ink particles.
In the first few sessions, we will target ink deeper within the skin by increasing the depth of the laser. In your final few sessions, we will focus on the ink on the surface of the skin, by decreasing the depth but increasing the intensity of the laser energy.
After each laser removal session, the ink that is shattered will be processed by your body. More specifically, it will be flushed out via your body’s immune system.
How many laser tattoo removal treatments will I need?
Before heading over to your tattoo artist to book your new tattoo, it is important to know that you will need more than one laser removal session.
Of course, fading a tattoo requires fewer laser tattoo removal sessions than completely removing an old tattoo. But there are other factors such as the age of your tattoo, size of your tattoo and location that can impact how many laser sessions you will need.
Your tattoo removal expert will assess your skin and tattoo, and also discuss how many sessions you will need at your initial consultation.
On average, most of our clients need 2-6 sessions to fade a tattoo for cover-up, and at least 6-10 sessions to fully remove a tattoo.
If you want to fade a tattoo to cover it up, our rule of thumb is that the more you fade it, the more choice you will have in what design you can choose for your next tattoo.
How long do I need to wait before getting a new tattoo?
There is no quick fix to removing a tattoo. As we mentioned earlier, it takes time and some patience in order to see the best results and make it safe to have a new tattoo over laser treatment.
Besides needing more than one session to fade or remove your unwanted tattoo, below are some other factors that will impact the amount of time you need to wait before getting a new tattoo.
The healing process
Any laser tattoo removal specialist and reputable tattoo artist will tell you that the healing process is one of the most important parts of your treatment. This includes allowing your skin time to heal between treatments and after your final tattoo removal session.
In your early sessions, we recommend waiting at least ten weeks between your laser removal sessions. This is to give your skin time to heal itself, but also to allow your body time to flush out the broken-down ink particles.
In the later stages of your tattoo removal treatment, we will advise you to leave it longer between sessions. This is because it will take longer for the ink particles to travel from the surface of the skin through to your immune system.
After your final tattoo removal session, you still need to wait at least three months for your skin to fully heal and your body to remove all the broken-down ink.
We also advise waiting until six months after your final tattoo removal session before getting a new tattoo. Not only will your skin be more ready for the new ink, but it will also give your tattoo artist the best canvas to work with.
Take note of your aftercare advice
This is closely linked with the healing process. In order to give your skin the best chance to heal fully, you need to follow our laser experts’ aftercare advice.
Your aftercare instructions will include:
- Avoid sun exposure for two weeks before a session and after your treatment. If you need to go out in the sun, please cover up your treated area. Sun exposure can increase the likelihood of pigmentation issues or scar tissue forming.
- Avoid shaving over the treatment area until your skin is fully healed
- Apply vitamin E or aloe vera to the skin to ease any itching or swelling. But please do wait 48 hours after your laser session before doing this.
- Keep your skin clean by using mild soap and do not scrub the area in the first week. Allow water to run over the area and pat dry.
Check out our full guide to laser tattoo removal aftercare.
Always complete your course of tattoo removal treatments
We understand that you may be excited about getting a new tattoo, but do not skip out on later sessions of tattoo removal, because you think your tattoo looks fully removed and your skin is healed.
Our experts sit down with each client on an individual basis to look at their tattoos and skin. This is how we decide on how many treatments you will need to get the results you want. Our goal is to get you where you want to be in a safe way, so you do not compromise the health of your skin.
Can I get a tattoo after laser hair removal?
As with laser tattoo removal, you can get a new tattoo after having laser hair removal. But you need to bear in mind that you need to see your treatment sessions through to the end and give your skin time to heal before booking your new tattoo.
Ready to start your tattoo removal journey?
The first step to getting rid of an old tattoo is to have a consultation with one of our experts at Zapp Laser Studio. This is your opportunity to find out more about how laser tattoo removal works, ask us any questions you might have, and see some of the amazing results other clients have achieved.