What Happens After Your First Session Of Laser Tattoo Removal?
You’ve had your first laser tattoo removal session, what’s next?
Tattoos are a great way to express yourself, but sometimes you might want to remove them and start afresh. Laser tattoo removal is a very effective method, but it's essential to know what to expect after your first session.
Immediate Post-Treatment Reactions
Redness and Swelling After your laser tattoo removal procedure, you will notice redness and swelling in the treated area. This is a normal reaction and indicates that the laser is working. These symptoms usually subside within a couple of days.
Mild Blistering and Itching You may experience mild blistering and itching, which are also common but we strive to avoid this by being as gentle as possible when it comes to energy output. Your skin will be very sensitive and tender initially, and these reactions should fade within one to two weeks.
Raised Areas and Frosting Immediately following laser removal, the tattooed skin may appear “frosted” or powdery. This effect is caused by the skin releasing carbon dioxide and is perfectly natural. It can last up to an hour, sometimes this goes away as quickly as it appeared, and also the more sessions in you are - the less chance of frosting happening at all!
First Week of Healing
Continued Redness and Puffiness The affected area could remain red, puffy, and a slightly itchy for the next week or so. Many clients feel fine after the procedure, and it generally doesn't interfere with day-to-day activities.
Changes in Skin Appearance After the first day, the look of the treated area will continue to change as your body adjusts to the laser treatment. This is a common part of the healing process. If you have any concerns, discuss them with your laser technician.
Ink Breakdown During the first week, your body will continue to break down and digest the ink. The skin will begin to heal, and it's normal for it to remain red and swollen for several days. This process will repeat with each laser session until the tattoo is fully removed. You may even begin to see signs of it fading after the first week!
Tattoo Removal Aftercare Bonus Tips
Boost Your Immune System A strong immune system helps your skin recover faster. It aids in wound healing and infection resistance. You can support your immune system by:
Staying Hydrated Drinking plenty of water is crucial for a healthy immune system. Proper hydration helps remove toxins from the body and regenerates blood cells, speeding up the healing process.
Reducing Alcohol Intake Excessive alcohol consumption can dehydrate you and slow down healing. Try to minimize or avoid alcohol to improve your recovery.
Limiting Smoking Smoking forces your immune system to work harder, which slows down skin healing. Patients who quit smoking have better outcomes and require fewer sessions.
Exercising Regularly Exercise increases blood flow, which helps break down ink molecules in your skin. However, take several days off from intense workouts after your treatment to allow your skin to heal properly.