Laser Tattoo Removal Aftercare

Erasing unwanted body art is more than possible these days with advances constantly being made to the laser tattoo removal procedure and laser tattoo removal technology.  While there are not many complications that have the potential to crop up due to laser tattoo removal, aftercare should be taken into account before and especially after the procedure has been done.  Practicing proper aftercare will ensure little to no complications. Practicing proper aftercare will help prevent scabs, blisters, scarring and other tissue damage from developing as a result of the laser removal procedure.  Here are a few aftercare tips following laser tattoo removal:

Try to keep cool

Many patients describe laser tattoo removal as a feeling similar to a slight sunburn, so you should consider applying a cool compress to the removal site for the first 24-48 hours after the procedure. Keeping the tattoo removal site and surrounding area cool will help prevent inflammation, relieve discomfort and prevent other complications from occurring.

Keep the removal site clean and dry

Keep the tattoo removal site clean and dry.  To clean the area, use warm water and a mild soap to help prevent infection.  Do not rub the area dry, gently pat the area dry until it is fully healed. You may apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment and cover the area with a sterile dressing, which most tattoo removal studios will provide you with.  All of this will help prevent infection and any other complications.

Resist picking at or scratching the area

Often times, patients will develop a scab around the tattoo removal site, which is a part of the body’s natural healing process. Scabs typically get itchy and a lot of times our natural reaction is to pick at it, but whatever you do avoid picking at the area.  Remember, it is scabbing up because it is trying to heal.  Picking at the scab could cause infection, so resist the urge.  It is important to keep the area covered to avoid infection.  Keeping it covered will also make patients less likely to pick at the area. Applying some hydrocortisone ointment to the area will also help reduce the urge to scratch the site.

Don’t take aspirin following the procedure

After the laser tattoo removal procedure you may want aspirin, but we advise patients not to take aspirin following the procedure. Aspirin causes the blood to thin, which slows the healing process.  Regular-strength Tylenol is typically advised as a way to treat pain and inflammation.  Consult your doctor and speak with your tattoo removal studio experts regarding any other medicine or medications you may be taking during the time of your procedures.

Keep your skin protected

During and after the laser tattoo removal process it is essential to keep the site protected from sun damage.  The sun can cause complications such as blistering which will prevent the tattoo removal site from healing.  Minimize your time in the sun while undergoing the tattoo removal procedure.  Even months after the procedure, patients should avoid time in the sun and should keep the removal site area covered with at least 25 SPF. 

Keep in mind that everyone’s skin is different.  While taking precautions with aftercare like we listed above, it is important to listen to the medical professionals who will assist in the removal process regarding aftercare.  Make sure you pay attention to changes in your skin and don’t hesitate to alert a medical professional if you are concerned about changes in your skin that you did not expect.  Feel free to comment below or contact us with questions pertaining to the laser tattoo removal procedure or proper laser tattoo removal aftercare.

Common Reasons for Tattoo Removal

When most people think of a tattoo, they think of the word forever, since we all commonly associate a tattoo with permanence.  For some a tattoo is permanent, but for others it is not since they make the choice to undergo laser tattoo removal. When it comes to tattoo removal, there are a variety of reasons why people wish to have the procedure done.  As a laser tattoo removal studio we’ve heard it all when it comes to why a patient wishes to undergo laser tattoo removal, but here are a few of the most common reasons why people elect to have their tattoos removed:

1- Life circumstances have changed: If you were young when you started getting tattoos and didn’t consider your career first, you may be considering tattoo removal and in fact, we have seen many patients claim that they wish to remove their tattoos due to their jobs or other life circumstances. 

2- Embarrassed by it:  So perhaps that tattoo that seemed like a great idea at 18 years old doesn’t seem like such a great idea now that you’re 30 years old.  Yes, we have seen many patients embarrassed by tattoos they got at a young age and are now wishing to have it removed. 

3- Dislike it:  Aside from embarrassment we have seen many patients come in for tattoo removal that just plain dislike their tattoo.  We've had patients tell us that their chosen tattoo artist's rendering just didn’t do their original drawing justice or that they simply no longer liked the image they had chosen. Changing your mind on a tattoo design happens and is quite commonly grounds for tattoo removal amongst patients. 

4- Location: We have seen lots of patients who may like their tattoo, but dislike the location of their tattoo.  Tattoos in an exposed region can be hard to deal with, especially if you find yourself with a job that doesn't permit it.

4- Looking to cover it up:  Tattoo removal is also great for patients looking to partially remove or cover up a tattoo.  We also frequently see patients come to us for a semi-removal, which means that they wish to cover up or remove a part of their tattoo so that they can tattoo over it at a later date.  

No matter what the reason is, laser tattoo removal is a great option for those patients looking to remove tattoos.  Having a tattoo removed is a big decision, so schedule a consultation with a laser tattoo removal studio before making your decision.  

Debunking Tattoo Removal Myths

As an Oak Brook tattoo removal studio filled with tattoo removal experts, we have heard it all when it comes to people's expectations of the tattoo removal procedure.  We thought we'd dedicate a blog entry to some of the common tattoo removal myths we've heard.  Here are a few of the most common tattoo removal myths:

1- "Laser tattoo removal is an extremely painful process."

This one isn't true.  The laser tattoo removal process isn't "extremely" painful, but tolerance for pain will make the process feel different for everyone. As the laser beam grazes over the skin, you may experience a burning or tingling sensation, but nothing too excruciating. Most tattoo removal studios will have a process utilize beforehand to help their patients minimize the discomfort. Here at Erase Tattoo Removal we use a variety of techniques to help minimize discomfort.  Some patients may elect to apply topical anesthetic cream about a half hour before their laser tattoo removal procedure.  At Erase Tattoo Removal we use The Zimmer Chiller, which is a skin cooling device that uses a stream of cold air to help soothe the skin to provide relief.  If you or a loved one are considering the tattoo removal process, don't let the myth that it is "extremely painful" stand in the way.  Speak with a tattoo removal studio and ask how they minimize discomfort during the procedure.

2- "There will be scars left on the skin after the tattoo removal procedure."

Lasers used in the past used to leave scars because the laser beam wavelength simply was not suited for skin, but with today's technology things have changed.  Lasers today do not leave scars, especially the laser we work with here at Erase Tattoo Removal.  Our laser, the Asclepion TattooStar Effect Laser is known for removing tattoos in record time and leaving no scars.

3- "One session will be sufficient enough to remove a tattoo."

This myth is simply just that, a myth.  Most tattoos take multiple sessions to be fully removed.  While one session may fade the tattoo, it will take a few procedures to have the tattoo completely removed.  The number of sessions that a patient will require depends on the size of the tattoo and the colors used in the tattoo.  Predominately black tattoos are easier and faster to remove than colored tattoos, so it really does depend on a patient's tattoo.  Most tattoo removal studios offer a consultation where the removal specialists can look at a patient's tattoo and assess how many sessions will be needed to have the tattoo completely removed.

4- "Laser tattoo removal is extremely expensive."

Not true again!  The pricing of laser tattoo removal depends on a variety of factors including the tattoo removal studio's pricing per session, the colors used in the tattoo, the tattoos size, the placement of the tattoo, etc.  If you compare laser tattoo removal to actual surgical removal of a tattoo the price is significantly lower.

5- "There is significant downtime after a laser tattoo removal procedure."  

Once again this one is considered a myth for a reason.  There is little to no downtime after a laser tattoo removal procedure.  For the first few days following a tattoo removal session there will be some minor skin irritation, swelling and redness.  The extent of the discomfort depends on the patient.

Have your own tattoo myths you'd like to share with us?  Leave them below in a comment or feel free to contact us with more questions.

Tattoo Removal FAQs

When it comes to laser tattoo removal most people have lots of questions and luckily we are a tattoo removal studio full of tattoo removal experts more than equipped to answer questions.  We thought we'd answer a few of the most frequently asked questions.  If you have a question that you don't see answered here, feel free to leave us a comment below. Here are some frequently asked tattoo removal FAQs:

Q- "How exactly does laser tattoo removal work?"
A- Here's the shortened and condensed version of how it works: Energy, produced from the laser being used, is directed at the tattooed area for a few seconds.  That energy passes through the outer layer of the skin (harmlessly) and targets the ink directly.  The laser fragments or breaks up the ink in the skin, which then allows the body to absorb it and break it down.  If you're considering laser tattoo removal, schedule a consultation with a laser tattoo removal studio and the experts will show you how its done.


Q- "The tattoo I'm looking to have removed is very colorful, will this make it harder to remove?"  
A- The answer to this question is both yes and no.  Why?  Well some colors are simply easier to remove then others.  The laser being used, which in our case is the Asclepion Tattoostar Effect laser, is able to detect and remove certain colors more easily than other colors, but really, most colors can be completely removed.  The colors that are more difficult will simply require more treatments, but that doesn't mean the tougher colors will never come out.  Even the most difficult of colors will usually fade well.

Q- "Can a tattoo be removed with one treatment?"
A- The answer to this question is no.  Most tattoos require multiple treatments in order to be removed.  Many factors determine how many treatments it will take.  The best bet is to schedule a consultation with laser tattoo removal experts and have them assess your tattoo to better determine how long you can expect to receive treatments.

Q- "Should I see a change after each tattoo removal procedure?"
A- Seeing progress in the form of a visual change to your tattoo really depends on the amount of ink present in the tattoo.  Everyone reacts differently to laser tattoo removal. Some people will see a difference with each treatment and some will not see a change until a few treatments in.

Q- "Does it hurt?"
A- We thought we'd save the most frequently asked question for last.  Pain really is up to everyone's personal tolerance level for pain. Might not be the answer you're looking for, but it's the truth.  Here at Erase Tattoo Removal we specialize in a tattoo removal process called the R20 procedure which fades tattoos in record time, which means that our patients will experience less removal procedures and less pain.  For the most part though, there is minimal pain with the tattoo removal procedure and here at Erase Tattoo Removal we do our best to keep all of our patients as comfortable as possible throughout the process.

There are plenty more questions that we didn't address here, so we will return with more FAQs, but if we didn't cover a question you have about the tattoo removal process, feel free to leave us a comment below or contact us.

Welcome to Oak Brook Tattoo Removal Studio Erase Tattoo Removal's New Blog

Welcome to Oak Brook tattoo removal studio Erase Tattoo Removal's new blog!  We're excited to share tons of tattoo removal topics, stories, tips and tricks of the tattoo removal trade with you.

Oak Brook tattoo removal studio Erase Tattoo Removal is a recently opened tattoo removal studio specializing in providing customers with the safest, easiest and most painless method of tattoo removal. Using a specialized laser called the Asclepion TattooStar Effect Laser the specialists here at Erase Tattoo Removal regard this particular tattoo removal laser as one of the best in the business guaranteeing less damage to the skin, less pain from the procedure and less tattoo removal treatments.  If you or a loved one is considering laser tattoo removal contact Erase Tattoo Removal and schedule a consultation today.

Through blogging we will explain our process, how our equipment works, address frequently asked questions, and even show you some real results from those undergoing the tattoo removal process.  We welcome comments and questions, so please feel free to contact us.