1. Avoid picking or rubbing the area

2. Reapply our Salve cream and/or antiseptic cream as instructed by your clinician

3. Keep the area protected from direct sun exposure

4. Do not apply any exfoliating or harsh skincare products to the area

5. Apply cold compresses to the treated area as required during the first 48 hours after laser tattoo removal

6. Apply antiseptic ointment three times a day to the treated area for the first 3 days

7. Shower as soon as two hours after treatment, but take care not to get the treated are wet

8. Do not be alarmed by blisters

9. Do NOT pick the scabs, blisters or crusts that form after your laser tattoo removal treatment

10. Wash the area with warm soapy water 12 hours post treatment and once daily for the first 3-5 days

Removing a tattoo is not a one treatment solution, you will require repeat laser tattoo removal treatments (that will be advised in your initial consultation). Depending on the age, location, colour and how dark your tattoo is, will determine the number of sessions required.

Following repeat treatments, your tattoo will slowly fade as your body’s lymphatic system works to filter the shattered ink particles out of your body. Each treatment is between six to eight weeks.

Laser is the most effective way to remove an unwanted tattoo, however there is a lot of hesitation around laser treatments because fear of pain.

Laser tattoo removal is nowhere near as painful as what you've been led to believe. But laser removal sessions are quick and not nearly as uncomfortable as getting tattooed.

However, if you have low pain tolerance, you might consider adding extra relief to your laser tattoo removal experience. Numbing cream is the most common product purchased for skin procedures.

How does numbing cream work:

skin-numbing cream block nerve signals in the body. They are a practical choice for local anesthetic and reduce sensitivity to pain.

We encourage all patients who choose to use numbing cream, to apply at least 1.5 hours prior to their appointment time, apply a thick amount over the area being treated and to cover it with cling wrap up until your appointment time.

During laser treatment of your tattoo, you will notice a whitening (frosting) of the ink. This indicates that it has been shattered by the laser and is caused by the release of heat energy from the ink particles breaking down. This frosting is temporary, usually only lasts a few minutes, and will most likely have disappeared before you leave the clinic.

Once the frosting has disappeared, your skin will develop some redness and may start to radiate heat. This sensation is often likened to the feeling of sunburn and will last from several hours to a few days.

Swelling is also a common occurrence after laser treatments, as your body reacts to the treatment and attempts to immobilise the area. Larger tattoos will typically experience more swelling than small tattoos. Lower limbs and extremities do not typically enjoy good circulation and are more likely to swell than other body parts. It is common for swelling to follow the path of gravity and may travel down a limb in the days after treatment. This is completely normal and will resolve itself with time.

Bruising is also a common occurrence on some tattoos after laser, particularly on areas such as the ribs and inner bicep. This is completely normal, may last up to a week or 2, and is nothing to be concerned about.

Ice the area as soon as possible after treatment and repeat this several times in the ensuing 48 hours. The more heat you can take out of the area following treatment, the better your tattoo will feel, look and respond in the following days. You can apply covered ice-packs directly over the dressing and/or after it has been removed, alternating at 15 minute intervals. If your tattoo is on your arm or leg, also try to elevate the tattoo whilst you are icing it. The more you do this in the first 24 hours, the less swelling and discomfort you will experience.

Remove the dressing after a maximum of a few hours only, removing it either after the gel escapes, before you have a shower, or before you go to bed – whichever happens first.

After removing the dressing, gently clean the area with water and pat it dry. Do not use soaps, body lotions or the like on your tattoo whilst ever it is still healing. Apply Aloe Vera gel regularly (twice per day) for at least 48 hours immediately after treatment. This will soothe the area whilst letting it breathe and help to prevent any itchiness. Keep your Aloe Vera gel in the fridge to provide extra soothing. There is no need to re-apply a dressing to your tattoo after removing the original dressing. If your tattoo is on a part of your body that rubs on your clothes or shoes and is likely to get aggravated, then you may apply another dressing. If you choose to do so, apply Aloe Vera Gel under the dressing and remove it regularly, in line with the guidelines above.

Rest and elevation of your tattoo in the first 24 hours following treatment will assist in the healing process and will help to minimise any localised discomfort and swelling. You may take over-the-counter pain relief medications like paracetamol (as directed on the packaging) if you experience any localised discomfort. Try and avoid the use of aspirin or ibuprofen, as these can increase the risk of bleeding or bruising.

You will experience some very light scabbing on your tattoo in the days following treatment. These micro scabs (in the shape of squares) are from the fractional laser that we used on your tattoo at the end of your treatment to assist the healing process. These will feel like sandpaper and may remain for up to 2 weeks on areas of low circulation. Do not pick these. Allow them to fall off at their own speed and your skin will be nice and smooth again once they fall off.

You may experience some light oozing from your tattoo in the days after treatment. This is common, especially in the case of large tattoos, and is the result of the swelling trying to escape. This oozing will escape through the tiny holes that the fractional laser has created and will prevent blistering and assist in the healing process. Simply dab dry any oozing and cover it with a bandage if necessary, to protect your clothes.

Once the skin has fully healed and any crusting or scabbing has disappeared, we recommend the regular application of a moisturiser such as Vitamin E. This will help to improve skin hydration, reduce potential itchiness and assist in the ongoing healing and soothing process.

It is common during the healing process to develop an itching sensation on your tattoo. This is a normal part of the healing process as your body starts to get rid of the ink particles and can also indicate dehydration. If this occurs, try not to scratch the area, apply a moisturising cream such as Vitamin E cream, and drink plenty of fluids. In extreme cases, you may apply a 1% Hydrocortisone ointment (such as Sigmacort) and/or take oral anti-histamines (such as Telfast).

You may apply make-up to the tattoo once any broken skin has healed.

It is possible that you may experience some blistering after your laser treatment. Do not be alarmed by this. This bodily reaction is a normal part of the healing process and often occurs on very large tattoos or on areas of low circulation, such as fingers and ankles. Blisters are readily treatable and with the right aftercare, will heal perfectly and leave the skin intact.

In the event that blisters form: Do not puncture them. Continue to apply ice to them for up to 48 hours after treatment. This will reduce and help to prevent any associated discomfort, and in some cases, will enable them to subside (re-absorb) completely.

If the blisters pop (on their own or accidently), apply an antibacterial ointment or liquid several times a day and cover them with a dressing or bandage. Continue this care until at least 48 hours after the blisters have burst.

If there is any crusting, scabbing or oozing from the blisters:

Do not pick at them or allow the skin to become scraped, as this may result in infection and scarring. Avoid shaving the area until it is completely healed.

Apply an antibacterial ointment or liquid several times a day and cover it with a dressing or bandage.

Repeat this each day until any crusting, scabbing or oozing is gone.

It is very rare but possible that your tattoo may become infected following blisters. In the rare event that the tattoo looks infected: (i.e. you develop a temperature over 38°C or increasing pain, and/or there is honey coloured oozing or increasing redness running away from the area), contact us immediately or visit your local doctor or medical centre.

Avoid excessive heat in the skin (baths, saunas, spas, heated yoga etc.) for at least 48 hours after treatment. This also relates to your work environment, where you may be exposed to hot conditions in a commercial kitchen, bakery or similar. Try to keep your healing tattoo as protected from heat as possible, so as to minimize the chance of blisters. It can take up to 2 days for all of the heat to dissipate from your body after a laser treatment, particularly on large tattoos.

Avoid soaking your tattoo in baths, saunas, spas, pools and the ocean whilst there is any scabbing on your tattoo. You may swim or surf for short periods as long as you avoid sun exposure, gently pat the tattoo dry afterwards, and adhere to any other relevant instructions within this guide.

You may shower on the day of your treatment but try to avoid letting very hot or high pressure water hit the tattoo. In the first 48 hours after treatment, re-ice your tattoo after any showering and re-apply the Aloe Vera gel.

Avoid direct or prolonged sun exposure at all times during the healing and ongoing treatment process, but particularly in the first 4 weeks after a treatment. Recovering from laser treatment is akin to recovering from sunburn, so to get sunburned on existing sunburn wouldn’t be a good idea. Not only does sun exposure heighten the chance of blistering, but it also heightens the chance of abnormal pigmentation (hyper-pigmentation or hypo-pigmentation) developing. This also applies to tanning beds, spray tans, tanning injections and any other form of artificial tanning. In the event that you cannot avoid direct and prolonged sun exposure after treatment, wear protective clothing over your tattoo or apply an SPF50+ sunscreen at all times. The more pale your tattoo skin is at each treatment, the more effective each treatment will be.

Avoid excessive exercise in the first 48 hours after treatment, to allow the heat to escape from your body and to minimize the chance of blistering and any swelling. Gentle exercise is fine, as long as you ice your tattoo again after exercise. The larger your tattoo, the more important this is.

Avoid injury and abrasion to your tattoo at all times before and after treatment. The more you care for your skin throughout the removal process, the better your results will be.

Throughout your consultation appointment, we discuss pre and post care leading up to and following your laser tattoo removal appointment.

Pre care includes:

• Not wearing any fake tan creams during appointment.

• No drugs or alcohol 24 hours prior to appointment

• Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water leading up to your appointment

• Shave the area you are intending to get treated (this does NOT include eyebrows)

• Changes in any medications, health or skin conditions that may cause contra-indication to the treatment.