Summertime "Dos" and "Don’ts" for Successful Laser Tattoo Removal
I always tell my clients that we deserve summer in Portland.
We all look forward to long, sunny days after long, cloudy, and rainy winters here in the PNW — I get it!
Summertime isn’t necessarily “laser season” like winter, which benefits from shorter days and less sun here in Portland. But it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get laser done in the summer.
There are some “dos” and “don’ts” to keep in mind about laser tattoo removal during summer, though, and some scenarios where our laser techs will refuse to do a session.
Do: Protect your tattoo from the sun at all times!
Having your tattoo removed by laser doesn’t work as well on tanned skin because the melanin adds additional pigment to the skin AND the inked part of your tattoo.
Extra pigment means extra sessions, which means more money spent, and more chances of damaging the skin.
The paler your skin is, the more power we can safely use during your session, therefore being a more effective treatment!
Don’t: Show up with a sunburn.
Laser tattoo removal utilizes heat and speed to target and shatter ink, and heat can remain in your skin for a couple of days after your treatment.
That’s why we have our clients ice their tattoos post-treatment (check out our aftercare info here). If you arrive at an appointment with sunburned skin, we will NOT be able to treat you that day. Your skin is undergoing trauma with the burn, and will only be further injured with a laser session.
This client had recent sun exposure that didn’t allow them to undergo a full laser session. We were able to treat the top part, but had to refuse treatment for the darker, sunburned portion.
Do: Reapply SPF every 2 hours.
We know that’s a big commitment, but if you’re serious about undergoing tattoo removal sessions during sunny months in Portland or elsewhere, it’s a non-negotiable for our clients.
There are so many types of sunscreen too, you’ll be able to find one — or a few — that you won’t mind incorporating into your daily routine.
Don’t forget that even if you’re inside, or only leave your house to go to the store, UV rays can still target you via your windows! I always ask people how they think houseplants stay alive… those rays find us!
Portland has some of the highest skin cancer rates — 36% higher than the national average — for this exact reason!
Keep in mind that you should keep your tattoo protected from the sun for at least 6 weeks prior to a session of removal, and absolutely no exposure for two weeks post a laser session.
If you have any questions about your recent exposure, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Don’t: Spray tan before your tattoo removal session.
While we LOVE spray tans and wish everyone would make the switch from their “base tans” or tanning beds, it’s a no-no when it comes to laser tattoo removal.
Spray tans add pigment to the skin which can — at the worst — cause burns. At the least, it forces us to use minimal power.
According to InStyle, the use of a self-tanner impacts the overall effectiveness of laser treatments because the sunless tanner increases absorption, meaning that the laser wavelengths’ ability to target ink is decreased.
Another way that sunless tanner will interfere with your removal session is that we would have to lower the settings used since the surface of your skin is darker.
And lastly, many popular self-tanners have ci 42090 — aka titanium dioxide — in them which, when targeted by a laser, can cause pigmentary changes in the ink that can also lead to hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation. Don’t believe me? Check out the ingredients in your favorite self-tanner — it’s likely in there!
If you NEED to self-tan, keep in mind you’ll need to wait at least two weeks post laser tattoo removal to apply a self-tan, and you’ll need to stay away from self-tanner for 4-6 weeks before your next session.
When you’re getting laser sessions every 8 weeks, that doesn’t really give you much wiggle room, so we suggest covering your tattoo if you self tan, or, just rock your natural skin tone!
Do: physically cover your small tattoos with clothes or bandaids
When clients have small tattoos, either on their face, fingers, or necks, I always recommend physically covering them with bandaids during the summer.
It’s easier to apply a bandaid in the morning and forget about it than reapplying SPF, and with bandaids now finally being offered in multiple skin tones, it’s never been easier or less noticeable than now!
I also suggest using bandaids on smaller tattoos that generally don’t get sun exposure unless my client is in a bathing suit — like a small symbol near the hip — and also can be utilized to cover your tattoo when getting a spray tan.
Don’t: Go swimming or camping right after a session!
The general aftercare with laser tattoo removal is to take it easy for a few days, keep it elevated, keep it clean, keep it cool, and chill out!
Just like getting a traditional tattoo, you’ll need to refrain from submerging your tattoo in a bath or a shared water source (lakes, pools, oceans) for two weeks to allow it to heal and safeguard it from infection.
Also, doing anything that’s super dirty, sweaty, or physically demanding in the first 72 hours can cause blistering, so no hot yoga retreats or white water rafting for a couple of weeks!
Do: Be honest with yourself
This is the most important one: be honest with yourself when it comes to the required pre- and post-care required with tattoo removal during the summertime months.
We’ll never be mad at the fact that you want to just focus on summertime fun and not stress about keeping your tattoo safe before and after a session. While some clients take the summertime off, if you’re able to be compliant with our expectations, we’re stoked to treat you all year round!
Ready to take the first step to remove that pesky tattoo you’ve had your eyes on?
But, friends at Take It Off PDX! What about chemical peels in the summer, are those okay?
We’ve got you covered: Can you get a Chemical Peel in the Summer?