Laser tattoo removal is a simple yet most effective outpatient treatment for tattoo removal, thanks to advances in medical-grade laser technology. However, this treatment still causes some pain and discomfort as it uses a high-intensity laser beam to shatter tattoo pigments in the skin. Therefore, it is necessary to understand what’s involved in laser tattoo removal aftercare.
In this blog post, we have put together some aftercare tips you should follow after undergoing laser tattoo removal. These tips are intended to help you protect your skin and ensure a seamless recovery.
Steps To Take Care of Your Skin Right after Laser Tattoo Removal
- The skin area treated with laser tattoo removal is generally prone to infection for a few days. So use an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment, such as Neosporin, to avoid the risk. It is usually advisable to use this ointment for at least three days after the treatment. Once these days have passed, remove the bandage to get the treated area some exposure to air. The air will accelerate the healing process and dry out the treated site. There will also be scabbing, which generally lasts a week or two.
- You will notice blistering on the treated region about eight hours after the laser tattoo removal session. These blisters are commonplace and may last some days.
- Although you may be tempted to pick at scabs, blisters, and crusts, make sure not to give in to this temptation. Picking at these formations during the healing period can cause permanent scarring. Moreover, peeling scabs and crusts can cause infection or skin discoloration.
- In case of discomfort or inflammation after the laser tattoo removal procedure, take Tylenol or tap the treated area with an ice pack for 5-10 minutes every hour.
- Be sure to wear sunblock for at least three months after every laser tattoo removal session. Avoid using any makeup or cosmetic product as it can irritate the treated area.
- You can take a shower two hours after the treatment, but ensure that the showerhead doesn’t throw water with high pressure. You may also need to avoid hot baths and swimming until your blisters subside. Pools and hot tubs usually contain abundant bacteria that can cause infection in the areas treated with tattoo-removing lasers.
- After laser tattoo removal, the only discomfort you may feel is a tingling sensation similar to a sunburn. But if this discomfort is severer, be sure to consult your dermatologist.
What to Expect During the Healing Period after Laser Tattoo Removal?
The laser treatment for tattoo removal causes a frosty white color in the treated region. This skin development is known as frosting, and it happens due to the carbon dioxide released as a result of laser penetration.
Your skin may start to peel and blister a few hours after the treatment. These blisters usually take anywhere between three days and two weeks to subside. Remember, blistering is a normal part of recovery after laser tattoo removal treatment. It helps the body get rid of the outermost skin layer in the treated area.
Almost all of the physical effects of the laser treatment ward off in a few days. Now, all you have to do is wait for the disbanded ink pigments to find their way out of the body, which can take 6-12 weeks. You can go for another laser tattoo removal session only after this time.
What is the Risk of Scarring?
Many people fear the risk of the scarring associated with laser tattoo removal treatment. The good news is laser systems for tattoo removal have come through significant advancements over the years. As a result, the modern-day laser tattoo removal mechanism is safer and more effective than ever. This overall safety has also reduced the risk of post-treatment scarring to as low as 2%.
Even if scarring happens, you can deal with it using over-the-counter silicone scar patches and vitamin E oil. But be sure to consult your dermatologist if over-the-counter treatments and home remedies do not deliver expected results.
Keep your Immune System Strong to Get Rid Of Tattoo Ink Pigments Fast
A laser tattoo removal procedure only causes the tattoo ink to break up and shatter, which is only one aspect of the treatment. The second and equally significant aspect of the tattoo removal process is how your body gets rid of those tiny pigments. For this reason, you have to make sure that your immune system is robust enough to guide the shattered ink particles out of the body.
Here are some steps that may help you strengthen your immune system for speedy tattoo ink removal.
Stay on Top of Your Daily Fitness Routine
Daily exercising boosts your immune system, which, in turn, speeds up the production of cells that attack foreign bodies, including tattoo ink fragments. A daily walk for an hour or some gym time every day expedites your body’s healing response.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Lack of sleep can have a profoundly negative impact on your body’s ability to fight off the bacterial attack and boot out foreign objects. Therefore, health experts recommend a night sleep of at least seven hours.
Strategizing your daily night sleep is the most fundamental yet significant step towards improving sleep quality and quantity. Generally speaking, you must regularly avoid caffeine and nicotine before bedtime and turn off all the screens and lights around you to get into a good sleep routine.
Increase your Water Intake
A healthy water intake can speed up the process of tattoo removal in various ways. For instance, it keeps your body hydrated, making your immune system quick and robust. Secondly, it increases your kidney functions, expediting the process of flushing out broken ink pigments and other toxins. Thirdly, it improves your lymphatic functions to pace up the process of transporting ink particles and other harmful substances towards excretory systems.
Final Thoughts
Laser tattoo removal aftercare is a straightforward yet vital process to help you derive the intended outcome from the treatment. So, be sure to discuss your aftercare routine with your dermatologist. Follow all guidelines provided by the doctor and watch out for any symptoms indicative of post-treatment complications and infections.
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