Your Laser tattoo removal treatment will do a lot of the hard work in removing your unwanted ink. However, this does not mean that you don’t have a big part to play in the laser tattoo removal aftercare and healing process.
Remember, that we can help break down the ink, but you and your body will do the rest. This means that attention to proper aftercare is vital to ensuring your skin heals and you see great results.
So, to help you out, we have put together some aftercare tips so that you can look after your healing skin. This includes immediately after your laser tattoo removal treatment and in between each treatment.
If you want to speak to one of our laser tattoo removal experts in more depth, why not book your no-obligation consultation with Zapp Laser Studio?
How does the laser tattoo removal process work?
Before we go into how you can take care of your healing skin post-treatment, it is useful to know how laser tattoo removal works first. This will help you understand how the laser breaks down the tattoo ink and why our aftercare tips will help you on your journey to being completely healed.
At Zapp Laser Studio, we use the world’s most advanced laser treatment to remove tattoos – PicoSure laser treatment. This works by targeting ink particles much harder and faster to shatter them into smaller pieces.
You might be wondering what happens to these smaller ink particles. Well, this is where taking care of your body is crucial. After each laser tattoo removal treatment, your body will start to absorb the ink particles and remove them through your immune system.
If you have a strong immune system, the faster your skin is likely to heal. This is because a healthy immune system allows your body to heal and also fight off any infection.
Check out our full blog to get all the details on how laser tattoo removal works.
Your guide to laser tattoo removal aftercare
Laser tattoo removal aftercare is a simple process that you need to follow to help you fully heal. But you will not be alone in this. Your laser technician at Zapp Laser Studio will provide you with a full set of aftercare tips before and after your treatments.
Remember, laser tattoo removal will take more than one treatment to fade or fully remove your tattoo ink. This is why we are providing you with guidance on how to look after your skin straight after your laser treatment and in between treatments.
What to do straight after your laser tattoo removal treatments
Take care extra care in the first few days
In the first 3-5 days after laser tattoo removal, your skin will be extremely sensitive. You must keep the treated area dry and clean to support your recovery.
This includes keeping the area dry for the first few days to help prevent any infections. You can still shower or do a quick bath daily to keep the area clean. You should always avoid doing any vigorous exercise during this time.
Do not use a high-pressure, hot shower as this can irritate the skin. You should also avoid hot baths or hot tubs in the first three days after your treatment.
You should only use a mild soap and allow the water to run over the treated area. Do not scrub the area when cleaning or drying. Simply pat dry using a clean towel or kitchen roll.
Please avoid shaving over the treatment area until the skin is fully healed.
What to do if you get blisters or scabs
If you start to notice blisters in the treatment area, this is completely normal. But, in this instance, you should avoid exposing the area to heat for at least a week. Again, keep the area clean and apply protective dressings if necessary.
You should wear loose clothing, even if a blister does not appear. This helps to avoid any friction or rubbing on the treatment area.
A small blister will usually pop by itself in a few days. This will then dry out and heal. For larger blisters, you may need to pierce them with a sterile needle and massage the fluid out. Make sure you have clean hands and treat the area gently.
Use a vitamin E ointment
You can apply a vitamin E gel or aloe vera gel to ease any discomfort and reduce itching and swelling. You should wait 48 hours before applying this, however.
Before this, you can use a cold compress or ice pack in the treatment area.
Always wear sun protection
Sunscreen is important for your skin at all times. When you are recovering from laser tattoo removal treatment, it is vital to use at least a factor 50 sun cream on the treatment area.
After laser treatment, you are more prone to sunburn and pigmentation issues. So, we always advise you to cover the tattoo area with protective clothing if you can.
Keep your immune system strong before, between and after your laser tattoo removal treatments
Looking after your body from the inside out will help your skin heal much faster. But how can you help keep your immune system strong and healthy? Here are some simple tips:
1. Stay hydrated
If you drink plenty of water and keep your body hydrated your immune system will thank you. Not only will it support you in staying healthy, but it also helps to flush out toxins and restore blood cells. This is important to fighting off any infections.
2. Try to avoid alcohol
After a long day at work or when we go out with friends, we all like a little tipple now and again. Before and after your treatment, we advise you to reduce the amount of alcohol you drink, or even stop drinking entirely until your skin heals. This is because alcohol dehydrates you and slows down the healing process.
3. Ditch the cigarettes
Smoking is bad for your health full stop. But it also makes it hard for your immune system to remove any pollutants from your body. This means your body will need to work harder to remove the ink particles and can mean you will need more treatment sessions.
4. Take part in exercise
Whilst you should take a break from exercising in the first few days after your laser treatment, after this regular exercise can actually help you heal. This is because it increases blood flow around the body, which in turn, helps to break down the tattoo ink in your skin.
How long will the skin take to heal?
If you follow the advice and aftercare tips from your laser expert, this will go a long way in helping you heal your skin.
Laser tattoo removal takes more than one treatment to fully remove a tattoo. On average, it takes 6-10 treatments. but this will depend on the size, area and colour of your tattoo. You need to follow our aftercare advice from your first treatment, all the way to your last treatment.
It can take several weeks for your skin to heal after laser tattoo removal. This is why we only provide follow-up treatments every 10 weeks.
Are you planning on having tattoo removal to get a new cover-up tattoo? If so, you will need to wait at least three months after your final treatment to visit your tattoo artist. Although, we would advise you to wait six months so that your skin is fully ready to go under the needle again.
If you have any further questions
For anyone who is seriously considering laser tattoo removal, your first step is to sit down with one of our laser treatment specialists. This will give you the opportunity to see how the tattoo removal process works and ask any questions you may have.
A consultation also allows our experts to assess your skin and tattoo and provide you with a tailored treatment plan to fade or completely remove your unwanted tattoo. Get in touch with the team today.