Laser tattoo removal side effects you need pay attention
Laser tattoo removal side effects may happen during the tattoo removal treatment. Scars or bleeding may happen with the wrong treatment. We list 7 common laser tattoo removal side effects. The article also offers solutions if the side effects happen.
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1. Laser tattoo removal side effects – Swelling
Swelling is one of laser tattoo removal side effects. It is “an abnormal body protuberance or enlargement.” Heat can sometimes cause swelling that will go back down. once your body’s immune system realizes there’s no danger.
What is the swelling?
Our body internal protection system will react to assault from outside. Using the laser to remove ink from your body isn’t exactly assault in the conventional term. But your body doesn’t think of it that way.
Anything that hurts your body is the enemy. Biological protective mechanisms will set in.
Solutions for swelling
You need to judge if the swelling is an allergic reaction. Placing ice packs on the area to keep the swelling under control. This step should finish after the treatment, and every few hours after that, to keep swelling at bay.
2. Laser tattoo removal side effects – Frosting
Anothe laser tattoo removal side effects are frosting. The frosting is one of the immediate side effects of laser tattoo removal. It sounds good looking, but it is not. It is a good thing for your skin post-treatment.
The tattoo white foam tattoo looks odd. But it’s a result of the heat from the laser penetration from your skin.
What is Frosting?
This side effect due to its resemblance, cake frosting. When the laser lands on the pigmented section of skin, the heat produces a chemical reaction.
The high temperature brings about the formation of gas or plasma. which are then released into the more superficial layers of skin. In these layers, the gas or plasma become carbon dioxide.
The pigmentation interacts with the tattoo. The tattoo puffs up and turns white, taking on the appearance of cake frosting, hence the term. In most cases, this occurs for up to 30 minutes after a session.
Solutions for frosting
Remember, frosting is not a bad thing. Your tattoo turns white means the laser has penetrated into your skin. The laser works on the pigmentation.
So, don’t worry about the frosting. It goes away on its own, give or take several minutes after the laser tattoo removal session. Frosting no longer appears as much after several sessions. It is most common to see in first treatment.
3. Laser tattoo removal side effects – Blistering
It is like you stayed long hours under the sun and formed blisters. After laser tattoo removal treatment, you may go through blistering.
It happens because the laser heats up blood vessels and causes them to break. The blisters are usually not deep, contain water and ink and heal within 2 weeks.
What is blistering?
For laser tattoo removal, the heat in the laser causes the ink pigments to disintegrate. The surrounding blood vessels break, resulting in the formation of superficial blisters.
Often, these blisters are made up of water and tattoo ink. It is painful, but they tell you the healing process has kicked in.
Solutions for blistering?
The tip you need to understand, don’t pop them! Blistering protect your skin from infection. They’ll disappear completely sans complications.
For intact blisters, leave them as they are. For cracked blisters, cover them loosely with a bandage. Confirm the surface of the bandage hovers a few millimeters above the wound.
Religiously apply antibacterial ointment to the affected area (especially for open blisters). Refrain from touching them directly with your hand. Limit physical activity to keep sweating to a minimum.
Also, be on the lookout for signs of infection. These include fever, pus-filled blisters, and enlarged lymph nodes. If these are present, contact your doctor immediately.
4. Laser tattoo removal side effects – Itching
Laser tattoo removal isn’t exactly so painful. Itchiness after the procedure is common, expected even. Fortunately, there are methods you can do to keep yourself from losing it over the maddening itch.
Itchiness is a sign that the body is healing, as itching is your body’s immune system targeting a weakened area. It’s best to avoid scratching the spot. Consult your technician for advice.
What is Itching?
Itching indicates immune system begun to knit the tattoo-removal breaks back into place. Your body sets into gear an intricate healing process. involving blood clotting, skin knitting, and scarring.
This uncomfortable sensation can also be due to dry, dehydrated skin. The Laser is a source of intense heat, zaps up your skin’s moisture. This leaves skin feeling parched, and dry skin is practically synonymous with itching.
Solutions for Itching
You can say itching is a battle of wills. The temptation to do so may be massive, but you must not scratch the affected area! Scratching can break the sensitive skin, and this could lead to a host of problems down the line.
Ditch the itch by slathering on some fragrance-free moisturizer. or cream after your daily shower. Consult your tattoo specialist or dermatologist for a trusty brand. or variant that’s safe to put on your lasered skin.
Put your hot-shower habit to rest. while you’re going through laser tattoo removal sessions. Hot water too drinks up the moisture from your skin, causing the itching to worsen.
5. Laser tattoo removal side effects – Scabbing
Scabbing takes place after blister formation. and is one of the better indicators of skin healing. Sometimes dryness and crusting occur with scab formation. and this combination may convince you to scratch away. But nope, no scratching allowed.
Scabs contain the tattoo ink particles, forming within 8 hours to 3 days after your session. Fortunately, they’ll heal in about two weeks.
What is scabbing?
A scab refers to the “coat” placed over your skin to cover up the exposed area. as your body heals the wound by creating a new layer of skin. They offer a protective function as new skin is created, so it’s a must you do not pick at them.
Solutions for scabbing
The best way to deal with scab formation is to leave the crusts alone. That’s it. The ball’s in your body’s court now; your role is to ensure it heals in as little effort as possible.
Wait for the scab to fall or come off on their own. Scabs should disappear within 2 weeks. Of course, you can undergo laser tattoo removal and not have scabbing. If this sounds like you, well, lucky you!
6. Laser tattoo removal side effects – Hyperpigmentation & Hypopigmentation
As you go through laser tattoo removal, you’ll notice slight or distinct changes in the skin on the target area. Though this looks alarming, you’ve really nothing to worry about. as changes in skin pigmentation are usual when tattoo removal is involved.
Both hyper and hypopigmentation are the result of skin changing color. and can often occur as a consequence of an inexperienced technician. Hyperpigmentation is excess melanin formation. and found in patients with a medium skin tone. Luckily, it will heal over time. Hypopigmentation is the lightening of the skin and may take longer to heal. but can be reversed by following aftercare instructions.
What is Hyperpigmentation & Hypopigmentation?
We should understand hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation is a potential risk for tattoo removal.
Skin discoloration is classified into 2: hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation.
In hyperpigmentation, you’ll notice patches of darkened skin. —that is skin that’s shades darker than your original color. In hypopigmentation, the opposite occurs. Patches of lightened skin appear, meaning it’s in a shade lighter than your skin tone.
These pigment-related changes happen due to the various light wavelengths present in the laser. The laser doesn’t only dissolve the ink pigments in your skin. but also affects your skin’s melanin production.
Melanin is an occurring pigment found in both human and animal structures, like the skin and hair. Your skin’s ability to create melanin either increases or decreases.
Solutions for hyperpigmentation
Dot worry about Hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation, they aren’t life-threatening. nor do they have a direct impact on your health. The discoloration can be quite bothersome to look at, but other than that, you’ve no cause for worry.
If the sight affects you a great deal, you can opt to use cosmetic products to even out your skin tone. The effects are temporary. but will do in instances you think you need to cover up the different-hued patches.
Fortunately, these changes in skin color will eventually resolve on their own. Do note it can take months, sometimes even years, for your skin color to return to normal. There have been instances too wherein the pigment change never did go away. However, most folks agree they’d rather deal with hyper. – or hypopigmentation than the actual tattoo they had removed.
7. Laser tattoo removal side effects – scarring
Laser tattoo removal will typically not cause scarring.
In these 3 cases, scars may happen:
1. you already have an existing scar.
2. you are prone to scarring or keloids
3. You are reckless with aftercare
What is Laser tattoo removal scarring?
The root of this myth may come from pre-existing scarring. If scarring occurred while getting a tattoo, or since getting it. the tattoo may have covered it up, making it difficult to notice.
In this case, the removal of the tattoo would reveal the scar. making it appear as though the scarring is a result of the removal process.
Solutions for scarring
Any existing scarring prior to treatment should be identified during this consult. Previous wounds that caused scarring and the proper aftercare are discussed thoroughly. so that there are no misunderstandings.
Scarring is a very uncommon side effect. only appearing in less than two percent of patients receiving laser tattoo removal. Always follow the aftercare advice of your technician. Drink plenty of water, avoid direct sunlight and get lots of sleep to prevent scarring.
To avoid laser tattoo removal side effects, you should choose a skillful doctor. You don’t need to worry too much about laser tattoo removal side effects. It is not common and heavy.
