WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOUR LASER TATTOO REMOVAL APPOINTMENT
• Get a good night’s sleep the night before your appointment.
⁃ Feeling well-rested and energized will absolutely help the treatment process to go more smoothly and comfortably.
• Eat before you come in and hydrate as well.
⁃ I tell people to treat this service like giving blood or getting a tattoo. You want to be hydrated and make sure your blood sugar isn’t low.
• Shave the treatment area the day before your appointment.
⁃ I can shave you during the appointment, but closed pores and less-irritated skin are ideal for the treatment process.
• Apply topical numbing cream about 2 hours before you come in.
⁃ Ignore the application time on the label! Apply the cream generously, and securely wrap the area with plastic wrap to keep it from evaporating or wiping away. I do not have numbing cream to offer you once you’re at your laser treatment appointment! I do have ice packs you can use with, or instead of, numbing cream.
• Bring legal ID to your appointment.
⁃ I need this for the check-in process and paperwork. It must be a state-issued ID that is not expired.
If you follow all of these steps, you are set up for an optimal tattoo removal session. If you also carefully follow the aftercare instructions, you will have the best chance to remove your tattoo quickly and effectively.
LASER TATTOO REMOVAL AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS
The laser tattoo removal treatment may create a superficial burn wound. Some patients may experience bruising or swelling. There is immediate whitening of the treated area, which usually lasts for several minutes and then dissipates. This is not a blister. Many clients can develop blisters, crusts, or scabs within 8-72 hours, which may last for 1-2 weeks or more. The treated areas may be pink or pale after the scab separates. Healing is usually complete within 4 weeks, although every person is different. After healing, your tattoo will continue to lighten as your body works to remove broken-down pigment.
Keep the treated area clean and dry while it is healing. Never touch the treated area with unclean hands. Clean the area gently with mild soap and warm water, and then pat the area dry with a clean paper towel. You may apply a thin coating of Aquaphor ointment for 3 days while the area is healing, but use very little and rub it in. Less is more! You may keep the area covered with a sterile dressing for the first night while you sleep if the skin is broken.
Blistering is common and is likely to occur 8 or more hours after your treatment. Do not be alarmed, blisters heal very well and are part of the normal healing process. It is natural for blisters to pop, but you should never poke, prod, or otherwise try to speed up the process. Continue to keep the treated area clean once blisters have popped for at least 24 hours.
You may apply cool compresses as necessary for 24 hours after the laser treatment to help reduce discomfort and inflammation. You may take Tylenol, but avoid aspirin, because it can increase the risk of bruising and/or bleeding.
Do not pick at any scabs or allow the skin to become scraped, as this may result in infection and scarring. Shaving should be avoided in the treated area until it is completely healed.
Feel free to shower 2 hours or more after the treatment, but take care to avoid high pressure water hitting the treated area. Baths, hot tubs, swimming pools, or any form of soaking are strongly recommended against until all blistering and scabbing is completely healed, as they may increase the risk of infection.
Exercise is generally safe after treatment, taking into account the other aftercare instructions provided here. If you get sweaty, you must wash the treated area thoroughly after finishing your work out.
Wear a sun block with an SPF 25 or higher over the area for 3 months following the treatment, but not while it is immediately healing. Do not wear makeup or any cream or medication on or near the treated area unless recommended by our studio for 48 hours.
Itching is very common due to the dehydrating effect of the laser treatment. Use a very minuscule amount of Aquaphor on the treatment area. If it’s goopy and shiny, you used too much!
If the area looks infected (honey colored crusting and oozing or spreading redness), if you experience an unusual or growing discomfort or bleeding, if any other complications develop, or if you have any questions or concerns, contact our studio immediately.
Of course, if you have any extreme reaction, call 911 and go to the emergency department.