Worcester Tattoo Removal

Before and After Your Treatment

 

Prep Yourself for Treatment

Like any other medical procedure, laser tattoo removal has the best results when you properly prepare for treatment. Follow these tips to facilitate the tattoo removal process:

 

• On the day of your appointment, wear comfortable clothing that won’t rub against the tattoo. If the tattoo is on your waistline, wear looser fitting pants (or sweatpants) and don’t wear a belt. The area will be sensitive for the following couple of days, and you don’t want to cause irritation.

• Before your appointment, make sure that the treated area is clean. If the tattooed area is very hairy, it may be a good idea to shave, so that you make the procedure easier for the laser technician.

• Confirm with your schedule that you don’t have plans to go swimming/hot tubbing/etc. for the few days after your removal treatment. To prevent infection, we advise that you do not soak the treated area for three days after treatment.

• Have non-stick bandages and ointment (Aquaphor or Neosporin) at home. You will have to keep your tattoo bandaged for three days, and it’s a good idea to have a fresh bandage for each day

• If you are on an antibiotic, or have just had surgery, are ill, etc, we will need to postpone your appointment. Tattoo removal relies on your immune system to work, so if it is busy fighting another illness or infection, we cannot give you a treatment. Antibiotics will make you more sensitive to the laser and may cause unwanted side effects.

• For a toenail treatment, please remove all nail polish, and file down the length and surface of the thickened nail as much as possible without injuring yourself to enable the laser to penetrate down to the nail bed for an effective treatment.

 

Have the Best Results

Proper aftercare is necessary to prevent infection, skin texture change, or other unwanted side effects. When you visit us at Worcester Tattoo Removal, we will give you aftercare instructions to take home after your treatment.  Tattoo removal is a relatively simple outpatient procedure, but we take care to inform you of the important steps you can take to achieve a great result.

The laser tattoo removal treatment creates a superficial skin wound. Some patients may experience bruising or swelling. There is immediate whitening of the treated area, which usually lasts for several minutes. Some clients then develop blisters, crusts, or scabs within 8 to 72 hours, which may last for 1 to 2 weeks or more. The treated areas may be pink or pale after the scab separates. Scarring, which can be hypertrophic or even keloid, can occur but is exceptionally rare. Reduced or excess skin pigment in the treated area can occur, and is temporary except in very rare cases. Healing is usually complete within 4 weeks, although this may vary.

 

        Steps to Follow

• Keep the treated area clean and dry while it is healing. Clean the area gently with soap and water and then pat the area dry. You may apply a thin coating of antibiotic ointment up to three times a day for 3 days while the area is healing and you should keep the area covered with a sterile dressing for those 3 days.

• Blistering is common and is likely to occur 8 hours after your treatment. Do not be alarmed, blisters heal very well and are part of the normal healing process. Blisters indicate your immune system is healing the area and beginning to remove the ink from your tattoo. It is natural for blisters to pop, and this helps the skin to heal faster in many cases. Continue to put antibiotic ointment over the blisters once they 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 plain Tylenol, but avoid aspirin (it can increase the risk of bruising and/or bleeding.)

• Do not pick at the scab 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 after the treatment, but take care to avoid high pressure water hitting the treated area. Baths, hot tubs, swimming pool, or any form of soaking are not recommended until all blistering and scabbing are 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.

• Wear a sun block with an SPF of 25 or higher over the area for 3 months following the treatment. Do not wear makeup or any cream or medication on or near the treated area unless recommended by our office for 48 hours.

• Itching is very common due to the dehydrating effect of the laser treatment. Use Aquaphor, vitamin E ointment, or hydrocortisone cream to keep the treatment area moisturized.

• If the area looks infected (honey colored crusting and oozing or spreading redness), if you experience an unusual discomfort or bleeding, if any other complications develop, or if you have any questions or concerns, contact Worcester Tattoo Removal immediately.

• Of course, if you have any extreme reaction, seek immediate medical attention.