Laser tattoo removal is a common way to remove unwanted tattoos. After treatment, you might experience swelling, blistering, bruising, scabbing, and more. Taking proper care of your removal site will help it heal more quickly. Here are some tips for taking proper care of your freshly removed tattoos.

Removal Process Overview

The ink in tattoos are imbedded into the dermal layer of your skin. With laser tattoo removal, the laser breaks down the ink into tiny separate pieces. Once the ink is broken up, the skin removes the ink over time. It can take several sessions to break up the ink depending on the size and location of the tattoo.

Cleaning

Gently wash the removal site with water and a mild, scent-free soap to reduce irritation. Once clean, pat gently with a towel to dry the area. After the area dries, apply a layer of antibiotic ointment and cover with a sterile bandage.

You can wash the area two hours after your procedure and up to three times per day while it heals. Reapply your bandage immediately after for the number of days that the clinic tells you. After that, you can let it air-heal as long as your wound doesn't become infected.

Reducing Pain

After your treatment is completed, you will likely experience burning, swelling and inflammation. To reduce the pain, apply cool compresses as often as needed and take ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Don't take aspirin during the healing process. Aspirin is an anticoagulant medication and will increase your risk of bruising and bleeding.

Do's

Wear moisturizing cream to help combat itching. Laser treatment is dehydrating, which causes itchy skin. While the wound is healing, you want to avoid moisturizers with fragrances in them. Vitamin E oils and other moisturizers for extremely dry skin are your best bet. If the itching doesn't subside, apply hydrocortisone cream to the area.

See a doctor if your wound begins to ooze with discolored discharge. Green, yellow, or any discharge other than clear is a sign of infection. Increasing redness and heat coming from your skin is also a result of infection. Infections spread quickly so you may need antibiotics quickly.

Keep your removal site out of the sun and tanning beds while it heals. When you go outside, cover the area with a zinc based, high SPF sun block if it isn't covered with a bandage any longer.

Drink a lot of water and eat healthy. Healthy food and water promote hydrated, healthy skin to aid in the healing process.

Don'ts

Don't use high pressure water or soak the affected area. This means to only take gentle showers while your wound is healing. Avoid baths, pools, and hot tubs. You can take a bath if the area is above water at all times. However, you should avoid pools and hot tubs completely. The water can splash on the site and the chemicals can increase your chances of infection.

Don't pick at scabs that appear over the removal site. Scabs are a natural part of healing and picking at them increases your risk of infection and scarring while making the healing take longer than it should.

Don't worry about blisters. Blisters are a natural part of the healing process. When blisters appear, they are filled with liquid to protect the skin. Blisters will pop naturally once the skin is ready for them to, so don't pop them on your own.

Don't put anything on your skin that isn't recommended by the clinic that removed your tattoo. Unauthorized creams or ointments can harm your skin instead of helping it.

Laser tattoo removal has unpleasant side-effects, but it's the most effective way to move the permanent mark on your skin. Follow these steps to allow it to heal properly and reduce the pain that goes along with the procedure.

For more information, contact a local clinic that offers tattoo removal, like  Vitality Natural Wellness and Medspa.