Laser Tattoo Removal Aftercare

You just finished your laser treatment. Great job! Now what?

Below, we will give you a breakdown of what to expect during the healing process, as well as a few tips to aid the body in moving the process along.
Please note, this process may look a little different for everyone, and may also vary from treatment to treatment.

What to expect, a daily aftercare breakdown:

  • Day 1: Your tattoo will feel a little warm, swollen, and sensitive to the touch, but tolerable.

  • Days 2-4: Your tattoo will feel warmer, and you may have some bruising, broken capillaries, or blistering. No need to be alarmed, this is all normal.

  • Days 5-10: You may experience some scabbing, flaking, and itchiness. It is important that you do not scratch the area. Itching can introduce bacteria to the area. Itching is a sign of healing, so this is to be expected and entirely okay!

  • Days 11-20: The area should be less sensitive, but is still healing at this point. You likely will not see much ink breakdown quite yet, and the area may still be a bit itchy.

  • Days 21-30: Ink breakdown may be more prominent by this time. More will keep fading as time passes!

  • 2-4 Months: Your tattoo should be fading, and it’s time to come see us again!

Tips to help the healing process:

  • Apply ice to the area! Use your reusable ice pack provided to you by your technician as needed. We recommend 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off.

  • Clean the area twice daily with a gentle, non-scented soap under cool water.

  • Apply aloe vera gel, Aquaphor, antibiotic ointment, vitamin E, or any other gentle moisturizing product intended for sensitive skin to the area as needed. Keep skin hydrated!

  • Drink plenty of water! This is a huge part of the tattoo removal process. Hydration is key when it comes to removing your tattoo. Keeping hydrated will aid in keeping skin moisturized as well!

  • During the downtime, we recommend massaging the area regularly with a gentle moisturizer in order to increase blood flow. The increase in circulation will help your body break the ink down more efficiently.

  • Avoid hot showers, saunas, or intense exercise for at least 36 hours. Avoid sun exposure for 2 weeks following your treatment. We recommend a mineral sunscreen to be applied daily to help protect the treated area.

  • Avoid any products that are harsh, scented, or exfoliating, as they can cause irritation. Make sure to wear comfortable clothing to give the area room to breathe and swell.

Please don’t hesitate to call our office with any questions! (314) 971-LAZR
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