What Happens If Laser Hair Removal Touches My Tattoo?

Brian Lett
By Brian Lett
10 Min Read

what happens if the laser hair removal touches my tattoo

Laser hair removal can be an extremely effective solution to unwanted hair growth and can even help you preserve a beautiful tattoo as it leaves skin free from hair growth.

Make sure that any existing tattoos are brought to the attention of the laser technician prior to receiving laser hair removal treatments on skin with tattoos; failing to do so could cause significant pain, burning and blisters during treatment.

Discoloration

Laser hair removal should never be conducted over an existing tattoo, as its light can damage or fade the ink and potentially discoloration of skin in the area.

Laser hair removal involves sending a concentrated beam of light deep into the skin to dismantle pigment within hair follicles and destroy them without harming adjacent tattoos or tattoo pigments. If a tattoo exists alongside one or more hair follicles, laser treatment could easily create confusion among pigments while simultaneously disabling all hair follicles within proximity without damaging either one and potentially lighten or even eradicate its contents – leading to either lightening of its color or complete disappearance over time.

Laser tattoo removal presents additional risks. Heat can damage ink, breaking down pigments in the skin and making lymphatic drainage harder, leading to blisters or other skin complications that need to be cleared away by lymphatic systems. This may cause blisters or other unpleasant outcomes.

Before commencing laser hair removal treatment, it is recommended to wear a protective garment over your tattoo to shield it from light emitted by the laser. Be sure to discuss this matter with your practitioner prior to receiving therapy; additionally it may help if you take over-the-counter pain relievers or apply numbing cream prior to initiating therapy.

Having an unwanted tattoo and unwanted hair near it may tempt you to shave when stubble begins to form, but it is best to wait until your tattoo has healed before making this decision. If you do decide to shave anyway, only focus on shaving the areas which do not contain any hair at all.

Laser hair removal can be an effective solution to permanently get rid of unwanted body hair. If you have tattoos in the same area, however, it is wise to speak to your practitioner first about finding alternative safe ways of eliminating unwanted hair while keeping your tattoos visible – this is particularly important if your ink colors vary significantly between dark or light hues. It would also be prudent to inquire whether other cosmetic treatments might also benefit your area in addition to laser hair removal.

Burns

Laser hair removal can cause burns to skin when safety precautions aren’t observed properly, so anyone seeking to remove hair from tattoos should consult with a laser practitioner prior to beginning any treatments in order to ensure they will be suitable. It’s also advisable to refrain from shaving, plucking or waxing the area being treated; such methods could potentially damage tattoos if done improperly while potentially leading to infection if irritation of the tattoos occurs.

Laser hair removal practitioners should apply a cooling gel prior to beginning treatment in order to avoid burns during laser hair removal, so as to allow the laser beams to pass over skin more smoothly. Should an incident arise where burns occur, it’s vital for patients to notify their laser provider immediately so they can adjust settings on the device in order to reduce its severity and treat accordingly.

Laser hair removal burns typically heal within 10-15 days, so in the interim, it’s important to treat them with a topical cream rich in vitamin C and other healing-promoting elements. Furthermore, sun exposure should be limited until healing has taken place.

If the burn is severe, medical treatment from a physician may be necessary. They may prescribe painkillers or antibiotics to manage symptoms. In extreme cases, skin grafting procedures may need to be performed in order to repair damaged areas.

Laser hair removal is generally safe for most people looking to remove unwanted body hair, though not everyone may qualify. People with tattoos should consult a trained laser hair removal professional in order to ensure that this service will be suitable. Furthermore, regular shaving could damage its pigments and cause it to fade or lose color over time.

Swelling

Tattoos are an expression of art that allows individuals to express themselves. Over time, however, people may come to regret their ink choice and seek alternatives like laser hair removal to diminish its appearance. Laser hair removal offers one such solution; however it should be understood that laser treatments could damage or compromise a tattoo and cause other complications; therefore it would be best to wait until after healing has taken place before considering having treatment done professionally.

Laser hair removal works by emitting a beam of light that targets melanin in hair follicles, stimulating them into degenerating and ultimately ceasing to produce hair. Although safe for most skin types, prior to beginning laser hair removal it’s recommended that consulting a dermatologist is conducted. They will be able to assess if laser treatment is suitable and give advice as how best to prepare the area before treatment begins.

Laser hair removal can be an effective means of eliminating unwanted hair. It is important, however, to be upfront with your dermatologist about any tattoos or moles in the area so they can select an appropriate laser and ensure that any permanent ink does not come into contact with treatment lasers and cause permanent damage.

Perifollicular edema, one of the more frequently reported side effects of laser hair removal, typically caused by your body’s natural response to treatment, typically lasts 1-2 days and may be uncomfortable; be sure to discuss any medications or supplements that could increase photosensitivity with your dermatologist before beginning treatments.

Laser hair removal can be an efficient and safe way to eliminate unwanted hair without shaving, plucking or waxing. However, if there are tattoos, moles or freckles in the area where laser hair removal will take place, be sure to consult with a dermatologist regarding safe alternatives that could better suit their treatment plan.

Infection

Laser hair removal employs wavelengths of light to damage hair follicles. When applied directly to skin with tattoos, however, laser energy may also damage ink, leaving blisters or scarring. This occurs because laser light cannot distinguish between dark pigmented hair follicles and dark colored ink used in tattoos; dark colors attract its light energy which then damages nearby tissues by burning or at least damaging them.

If you are considering laser hair removal, it is wise to seek guidance from an experienced dermatologist or licensed esthetician in selecting the most effective approach tailored to your unique needs and skin type. They can give guidance regarding risks and benefits of each option as well as offer guidance regarding post-treatment care for skin and body.

Apply sunscreen before undergoing laser tattoo removal treatments to help minimize scarring risks and prepare the area to reduce blisters caused by its heat. Your laser technician may provide a template covering your tattoo during treatment to avoid direct contact during its process.

Laser hair removal is safe for the majority of people; however, before beginning any treatments it’s wise to consult a dermatologist or licensed esthetician for guidance and recommendations that suit you personally. A consultation may also provide useful insight into tattoo care as well as whether laser treatments would be beneficial.

Those interested in laser hair removal of tattoos should make an appointment with either a dermatologist or licensed esthetician for a free consultation, who will advise them on the most effective treatments as well as aftercare instructions that will keep their tattoos damage-free. Call Med Spa at Seena One in Burleson today and book their appointment!

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