PROPER AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR LASER TATTOO REMOVAL

If you have made the decision to get rid of an unwanted tattoo using laser treatments, you are likely interested in healing as quickly as possible and doing anything you can do to speed up the process of getting rid of that unwanted ink. It is normal to experience some side effects and a little bit of discomfort.

Laser treatments are designed to use heat to break apart tattoo pigment. This allows the body to naturally remove the particles in the weeks that follow the treatment session. The laser is going to come in direct contact with your skin, which means that you could experience some itching, frosting, swelling, minor burns, and blistering. The first thing that you will notice is that your skin is likely to turn white right after the treatment, which will only last a couple of minutes. Then you will notice blisters and scabs forming about 12 hours later. It usually takes about a week or two for these to heal. Your skin will likely be pale or pink as the scabs separate from the skin. Complete healing usually takes about six to eight weeks.

Here are some suggestions that you should follow after a tattoo removal session.

1. Your skin is likely to experience some frosting in the area where the treatment took place. The heat from the laser can cause gas or plasma to form and carbon dioxide to be released from the skin, which causes the frosting. Your skin that may swell. There may also be some redness right after the treatment. You can take Tylenol or ibuprofen to reduce the symptoms. You can also use a cold compress. Aspirin should be avoided.
2. A dressing will be applied immediately after your laser treatment. This should stay in place for at least eight to 12 hours. After the dressing is removed, you will want to clean that area two times a day using a mild soap and water. You can pat the area dry in a gentle way.
3. It is common for medical professionals to recommend a healing serum to be applied to the area that received treatment twice a day for at least three days after the treatment. This will soothe the skin and promote healing. A bandage should not be applied during this time.
4. You do not want to disturb the skin while it is going through the healing process. You may see blisters form. You do not want to pop these blisters. Scabs are also likely to form. Be sure that you do not pick at, rub, or scratch them. If you do notice that a blister starts to ooze, a dressing may be applied. It should be changed twice a day until the drainage stops.
5. You should avoid shaving or waxing the area that received treatment until the skin is completely healed.
6. Besides the healing serum that was recommended by the doctor, no other lotions, creams, or makeup should be applied to the area during the first couple of days after the treatment.
7. Avoid swimming, using a hot tub, and going to the sauna until the skin has completely healed.
8. Avoid activities that will cause excessive sweating during the first two to seven days after treatment. Exercise and other physical activities can cause you to sweat, which can disrupt the healing process.
9. After the initiate healing phase, you want to apply sunscreen to your skin. It should be at least 25 SPF or higher.
10. Monitor your skin to make sure that it is healing properly.

If you would like to learn more about laser tattoo removal in Rochester, New York, contact us today. We will be happy to answer any questions that you have.