Tattoos are an expressive way of showing who we are; however, when laser hair removal approaches one of your prized tattoos it can cause irreparable damage.
Shaving, plucking and waxing are popular methods of hair removal; however, they are both time consuming and ineffective. Laser hair removal provides an alternative that offers permanent reduction of unwanted hair growth.
Discoloration
Laser hair removal can be a lifesaver for men and women who want to get rid of unwanted body hair quickly. Traditional methods, such as shaving, plucking and waxing can be time consuming with only temporary results, while laser hair removal provides permanent smooth skin in much less time than its alternatives.
Unfortunately, tattoos are no exception to the damage that laser hair removal treatments can do to them. Furthermore, laser treatments should never be administered directly over tattoos as they are ill equipped to break down ink pigments from within and clear them from your body effectively; trying to perform laser hair removal over a tattoo could result in blisters, discoloration, or scarring from an attempt at laser treatment.
Tattoo pigments are similar to the pigments present in your skin, so laser treatment will react in much the same way as it would to moles or unmarked areas on the body. Therefore, it’s crucial that laser hair removal products be thoroughly tested on small patches of skin before trying them on sensitive parts of the body.
If you have a tattoo on any part of your body, including legs or other areas such as arms and shoulders, it is crucial that it heals completely before shaving the affected area or using depilatory creams or similar hair removal products on it.
Depilatory products or any form of hair removal products used on areas with tattoos carry the risk of damaging or distorting their design, potentially leading to painful blisters or even changing its hue and fading over time.
As life becomes ever busier, people need more efficient ways of taking care of themselves – hence why traditional hair removal methods such as shaving, plucking and waxing have fallen out of favor with many. Laser hair removal offers an effective and cost-effective alternative that will save both time and money over time.
Burns
Laser hair removal technicians must use caution when treating tattooed skin as their light energy can damage pigments and cause burns that lead to swelling, blisters and third-degree burns that take time to heal. Therefore, laser treatments should only be performed on areas without tattoos such as arms or legs for best results.
Laser hair removal works by targeting melanin in the skin with wavelengths of light. When the laser hits this melanin, its energy is converted to thermal energy that destroys hair follicles – effectively stopping their growth. When directed towards tattoos instead, however, its effect can be even more severe as ink tends to be darker than skin color and contains more pigment than normal skin does.
Unskilled laser technicians may not be able to distinguish between the ink of a tattoo and natural pigments on your skin, and therefore apply laser treatment over an area where there is tattooed body art without being aware that there is one there – leading them to apply it over any areas where tattooing exists without realizing they have done it, which could result in discoloring or fading more visibly than just shaving or waxing it away.
Laser hair removal can cause other complications for damaged tattoos, including swelling or infection. Swelling occurs due to your body’s natural defenses reacting against foreign material like an insect bite or twisting your ankle; once flushed from your system, this swelling should subside.
Infection occurs when tattooed areas absorb chemicals released by degraded hair follicles and absorb their chemicals; this causes skin swell and tear over time requiring weeks for resolution – thus the importance of avoiding tattooed parts when receiving laser hair removal treatments.
Scarring
Laser hair removal targets pigments in the skin, which includes tattoos and freckles. When laser treatment touches tattoos it can lead to discoloration, scarring, ink dispersion and broken-up tattoos which diminish its clarity over time. If there are tattoos present where you plan on getting laser hair removal performed it is wise to discuss this beforehand with your technician so they can ensure the laser does not come into contact with it and work around it accordingly to protect it.
Laser tattoo removal cannot remove existing scar tissue; however, it can help fade its appearance if caused by a previous injury or illness. For instance, laser tattoo removal could reduce the appearance of old cuts or burn scars by eliminating some of their associated scar tissue.
Laser tattoo removal may cause blisters or scabs on the skin, which is normal and should subside once healing begins. It is important not to pick at or peel at scabs that form, as doing so could lead to infection and scarring; drinking plenty of water will help your body heal more quickly; in addition, patients should refrain from smoking before and after their treatments for optimal healing results.
Scarring risks increase for dark-skinned patients as the melanin pigment competes with pigments used during laser tattoo removal treatments. Furthermore, people with raised scars or history of keloids are at an increased risk from laser tattoo removal treatments; therefore it’s wise to speak with your physician prior to beginning this type of therapy.
Laser hair removal should never be performed over tattoos, moles or freckles due to ineffective laser technology which cannot distinguish between pigments in tattoos and skin pigments and thus will target both, possibly leading to discoloration, scarring and other unpleasant side effects.
Irritation
Laser hair removal has quickly become a mainstream cosmetic procedure that helps people skip shaving, waxing and plucking to get rid of unwanted body hair. While laser hair removal might appear to save both time and money when used over tattoos, its risks should not be disregarded.
Laser hair removal should be avoided on tattoos for several reasons. First, this form of treatment utilizes two separate lasers with differing wavelengths; one for tattoo removal could come into contact with it and result in painful blisters on your skin if it comes into contact.
Laser hair removal can leave skin feeling itchy and uncomfortable due to laser light being used to penetrate hair follicles and destroy their pigment, heating up and killing off dark pigment follicles. Therefore, any skincare products containing retinoids or alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) prior to an appointment is best avoided as these products can trigger histamine reactions that make skin even more susceptible to laser light exposure.
Even though tattoos don’t require bandaging or covering with ointment after laser hair removal sessions, it is still wise to apply a soothing moisturizer on the area to promote healing and avoid itching. Furthermore, avoid scratching as this can result in scabbing and scarring of the area.
If you have a tattoo and are considering laser hair removal, it is essential that you speak to both your physician and tattoo artist about its safety. Most doctors may suggest opting for traditional methods like shaving and waxing instead of laser treatments on areas around it. If laser treatment becomes inevitable however, most physicians will make a template covering the tattooed area so the laser does not come into direct contact with it and potentially ruin its artwork; additionally they will ensure there is at least some distance between treated area and your artwork.
