What to Expect
As a patient you have the right to be informed about your treatment so that you may make the decision whether to proceed for laser tattoo removal or decline after knowing the risks involved. This disclosure is to help inform you prior to your consent for treatment about the risks, side effects, and possible complications related to laser tattoo removal.
The tattoo(s) may not completely come out, some will just lighten. Tattoos can even worsen (though that is rare).
Black ink fades the fastest, though sometimes black ink will be mixed with green and purple to darken. In this case these colors will take longer to fade. Teal green is the hardest color to fade.
Tattoos lay in your dermis, which is under your epidermis, and the laser is able to break through and fragment the color in order for it to be small enough to pass through the hypodermis. Your body recognizes the ink particles as an unusual object and your immune system will attack it and eliminate it naturally. The degree of fading and the amount of treatments vary depending on your body chemistry. The procedure can be painful.
Smoking or having any health problems will prolong your treatment. Drinking tons of water will help tremendously!!!
The most common side effects:
- After the treatment you may experience swelling, red blisters, pain, or itching. Do NOT pop your blisters, it can cause scarring. Let them pop naturally. You may use Aquaphor or a similar product.If you swell or feel heat you may apply ice to the area.
- You may bruise from trauma to the skin.
- Infections are not common but can happen. If you experience fevers, crusting, or extreme pain, please use a topical antibiotic and see a doctor, if it worsens.
- Hyperpigmentation (skin darkening) and Hypo-pigmentation (skin lightening) may occur in the treated area. In most cases the skin will return to its normal state. In some cases the skin will take longer (3-6 months) to return to its original state. Permanent color change is a rare risk. Loss of freckles or pigmented lesions may occur.
- Allergic reactions: Though this is extremely rare, some may be allergic to the ointment use post treatment.
- Please inform us know of any known allergies.
- Please be aware that there is a chance of scarring from trauma to the skin.
- Pinpoint bleeding is rare but is possible following treatment procedures. Should bleeding occur, additional treatment may be necessary.
Compliance with the aftercare guidelines is crucial for healing, prevention of scarring and hyper-pigmentation. Aftercare guidelines include avoiding the sun for 2 months after the procedure. If it is necessary to be in the sun, a sunscreen of SPF 25 or greater must be used.