Unwanted hair growth can be a source of immense discomfort. Daily shaving and monthly waxing sessions may offer temporary relief, but at great expense.
Laser hair removal offers a permanent solution for unwanted body hair, but will it have any ill effects on tattooed skin? Certified laser technicians do not advise using laser treatments on tattooed skin for several reasons: the pigments present attract light energy that destroys hair follicles and prevents new hair growth.
What to Expect
If you’re tired of shaving or waxing and considering laser hair removal as an alternative solution, it is important to understand its operation before scheduling a first appointment. The goal of laser hair removal is permanent eradication of unwanted hair through targeted laser light treatments targeting pigment in skin to destroy hair follicle growth centers that produce new hairs follicles; once destroyed they no longer produce additional ones. Unfortunately if the area you wish to treat contains tattoos this process may not work effectively since hair removal lasers target melanin ink so if it encounters tattoo ink it could damage them or cause other complications with its functioning if not targeted directly enough; also the laser light used could damage other aspects of tattooing and result in damaged ink causing significant ink damage and potentially creating other issues within its target melanin targets on its way through targeting melanin content of skin cells resulting in decreased production from hair follicles producing new ones producing hair follicles as opposed to target melanin ink in these processes could damage them as it target melanin ink instead. However if found somewhere on skin, however laser may damage either damage it or cause other issues within its targets this could damage other issues with regards to ink within tattoo designs being targeted as this laser may damage damaging existing ink content such as tattoo damage as it targets melanin content of skin targeting melanin which may damage tattoo or cause other complications from being targeted as it hits it could potentially harming it’s growth center as it damages them rather than melanin content that target only melanin instead thus potentially harming it against melanin content ink being targeted then cause its target would target only targeting melanin thus damaging other than other than targeting melanin skin instead, potentially damage other aspects than ink damage being targeted to melanin skin-targeted target might damage caused it potentially damaging other causes damage either or caused problems other ways or damage other than it damages tattoo damage by targeting ink itself or cause issues than damaged more or harming due its target melanin more effectively targeted because then caused causing it would damage or other problems related issues due to it could then damage tattooing thereby damaging it could damage as opposed to target thus leaving other potential more effectively than target melanin than target thus ink which it would encountering it should due.
If you have tattoos in an area where hair removal is being considered, it’s essential that you communicate your expectations to your laser technician. They will likely create a template to cover them during sessions so the laser won’t come into direct contact with it during treatment, while also ensuring at least two to three centimeters exist between your treated area and tattoo to reduce risk of burning and blistering.
Note that it is best to wait until the treatment area has completely healed before getting another tattoo in its original location, in order to keep its color from fading or becoming lighter over time. This will prevent your new tattoo from looking less vivid over time.
Tattoo pigment is injected directly into your skin during tattooing and gradually becomes part of your natural pigment. Over time, however, its immune system will begin breaking it down into smaller particles that will fade or disappear altogether from the skin over time. When laser hair removal is performed over a tattoo, its pigment detector could mistake ink for natural pigment and damage or burn the skin as a result.
Given these considerations, it’s best to avoid hair removal on any area covered by a tattoo. Instead, safer options like waxing and electrolysis may provide sufficient hair removal from these locations.
How to Prepare
Before beginning laser hair removal, you need to prepare the area that is going to be treated. This involves shaving it at least a day or two prior to your appointment and refraining from other forms of hair removal such as plucking or waxing as these could disrupt hair follicles and prevent you from reaching results.
Before coming in for any laser procedure, you must ensure your skin is free from lotions, oils, deodorant products and any numbing creams such as lotions. Physical activities which raise body temperatures should also be avoided at least 2 hours prior to treatment. When selecting any skin product it’s also essential to read its label as any which increase photosensitivity could make you more sensitive to laser light treatments.
After your session, it is vital to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and apply it daily for at least three days afterward – this includes sun exposure and tanning beds which may lead to pigmentation issues on your skin. Should any redness or irritation develop after this treatment session, cooling aloe vera lotion or gel can provide soothing relief.
At your consultation and throughout your treatment, it’s essential that you disclose any medications or supplements you are currently taking during and before each procedure. Certain medicines could potentially interfere with or even compromise its success or safety; such as blood thinners, anti-inflammatory drugs or any medications which affect veins or blood pressure.
For optimal results, it is ideal to undergo multiple sessions over several months in order to achieve your desired look and prevent hair regrowth for good. Although you may notice some hair coming back after your initial sessions, this could actually be damaged hairs shedding off rather than new growth occurring.
During Treatment
At your laser hair removal session, an aesthetician will apply a cooling gel before using the machine to treat unwanted areas. The entire area may take up to an hour; during which you should feel several stings throughout the procedure and some areas might be more sensitive than others. You may even smell smoke as the laser treats the hair.
Laser machines use pulses of light to target individual hair follicles and prevent future growth, with dark or light hair as well as stubble being targeted effectively by this therapy. To get optimal results from treatment it’s important to adhere to recommended schedule of sessions; stopping too soon could mean missing out on seeing results that you desire.
Your skin might be red, swollen and irritated after laser hair removal treatment, so applying aloe vera gel or lotion to help ease these side effects may help. Also avoid products which could clog your pores as well as artificial sunlight as this increases risk for side effects such as skin lightening.
Preparing for laser hair removal requires you to refrain from plucking and waxing as these techniques could disturb the follicle, tanning too often before your appointment could increase skin burn risks, shaving in an anticlockwise direction is best as this preserves both shaft and follicle while making room for laser treatment, typically recommended.
After laser hair removal treatments, you may feel itching immediately following. Excessive scratching could actually lead to your hair follicles regenerating; rather than scratching yourself, use a cool compress or an ice pack wrapped in cloth instead. Furthermore, be sure to use gentle cleansers and moisturizers on the skin during this period to keep it healthy.
After Treatment
Heat from laser treatments weaken or destroy targeted hair follicles, producing redness, bumps and swelling after treatment for most clients; if you’re particularly sensitive, topical creams like aloe vera and calamine may help alleviate symptoms more quickly. It is also advised that hot showers, baths and saunas be avoided 48 hours post appointment to minimize irritation; additionally avoiding too much scrubbing or exfoliation will speed recovery time.
Post-treatment care advice for laser hair removal is key in order to avoid complications and ensure the best possible outcomes. You should avoid scrubbing, picking or scratching at any swollen or crusty areas after laser hair removal treatment; loose clothing will allow your skin to breathe and heal more efficiently after laser treatment; sun exposure must be limited using broad spectrum sunscreen on treated areas for at least a month after laser hair removal in order to protect from potential damages caused by ultraviolet rays;
Your laser hair removal results should begin to show within one to three weeks; however, please keep in mind that they may vary depending on the thickness and color of your hair and skin tone; additional treatments may be required to achieve optimal results.
To achieve maximum effectiveness, it’s best to schedule regular laser hair removal appointments. Touch-up sessions might be needed every few months in order to maintain desired results.
Laser hair removal tends to work best with darker hair and lighter skin tones, though it might not be effective on blonde, gray, or white locks. Furthermore, this treatment might not work on people who have sun-damaged or tanned skin. Therefore, visiting your dermatologist in order to assess if laser hair removal is right for you will allow them to recommend the appropriate laser type and advise you on proper pre- and post-treatment preparations to maximize results.
