In the past, laser hair removal and tattoo removal were two completely different procedures. Laser hair removal was on-the-spot, and still is today, while tattoo removal was extremely invasive. With new technology, though, laser hair removal and tattoo removal blend together almost seamlessly. This can mean big changes for your life if you’re in need of either type of treatment. Let’s dive right in!
Laser hair removal is safe as long as you use an FDA-approved product and follow all safety instructions. However, if you have any medical conditions such as diabetes or lupus, you should consult with your doctor before using laser hair removal treatments. The laser might cause inflammation in these conditions and could increase your risk of infection or injury.
Read on to learn more about Is Laser Hair Removal The Same As Tattoo Removal, Misconceptions About Laser Tattoo Removal and What Are My Hair Removal Options If I Already Have Tattoos?
Is Laser Hair Removal The Same As Tattoo Removal
Laser hair removal is a procedure that utilises a concentrated beam of light. This laser light damages your hair follicles, minimising and delaying future hair growth. You would need to undergo at least six treatments (and the odd maintenance treatment down the line) to enjoy its full results.
Still, after your sessions are over, you no longer have to worry about regular hair removal and hair regrowth!
People with light skin and dark hair are the ideal candidates for laser hair removal.
Keep in mind that it’s not recommended for areas on the body with tattoos. Since the laser is used on the skin, it gets attracted to the ink.
It may lead to damaging consequences through excessive heat production.
People with tattoos can experience burns, blisters, fading, or even distortion of their body art. If you want to take the risk, the practitioners would have to approach the area cautiously and avoid any direct reaction with the ink.
DOES LASER HAIR REMOVAL WORK THE SAME AS LASER TATTOO REMOVAL?
Quick answer: no. The two treatments are distinct and involve lasers of varying intensities.
Although the laser used in hair removal treatments is different from the ones used in tattoo removals, it can still impact the ink. Even, it cannot be used for the same purpose.
If you want to go through both laser tattoo removal and laser hair removal, you must first undergo tattoo removal treatments. Once your skin has healed, and the tattoo is considerably gone, only then can you proceed with your hair removal treatments.
For a detailed explanation of how tattoos work, we recommend reading that post on the Popular Science website.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET LASER HAIR REMOVAL WITHOUT DAMAGING THE TATTOO?
Yes, but the procedure is tricky.
The laser technician will have to make a template to cover the tattooed area, so it doesn’t come in contact with the laser. They will also ensure that there is at least two to three centimetres of distance between the treated parts and the Tattoo. This protects the art and avoids the risk of incurring blisters.
I trust this answer. Will laser hair removal damage a tattoo question?
Just to be clear, if you have a tattoo on your arm, for example, and want your underarm hair removed, there are no issues. If you wish to have hair removed in the same area as your tattoo, a trained professional will not let the laser go directly over your Tattoo and ruin the Tattoo. Laser hair removal cannot be completed over the Tattoo without a template to cover it, and the laser must work around it!
CAN YOU GET A TATTOO AFTER LASER HAIR REMOVAL?
Yes, for sure. There are no issues with laser hair removal before getting a tattoo. Bear in mind, your laser hair removal treatment takes 6-8 sessions, with a week or two between each session. Therefore, it’s best to wait, or not, to get a tattoo in the same area as your hair removal treatment, until your course of hair removal is completed.
WHAT HURTS MORE, LASER HAIR REMOVAL OR TATTOO?
Pain or sensation from laser hair removal is often described as an elastic band snapping against the skin.
In comparison to having a Tattoo, the pain difference is chalk and cheese. Getting a Tattoo is far more painful than laser hair removal.
But with both, it also depends on the area of the body where the pain and sensation are worse.
Misconceptions About Laser Tattoo Removal
There have been numerous methods used over time to remove tattoos, but laser tattoo removal is certainly considered the most safe and effective removal procedure currently available.
The laser works by delivering short, powerful pulses of energy to the tattoo, which shatters the ink particles. The body’s natural immune system then responds to the laser treatment by flushing away shattered ink over the course of a few weeks.
Even though lasers are by far the most effective method of removing tattoos, many misconceptions exist about the procedure and cause many individuals to be apprehensive about having the treatment done. Below are some common examples of laser tattoo removal myths:
“Tattoo removal creams work just as well as laser tattoo removal.”
This is definitely not the case. There has been no significant evidence to prove that these creams (i.e. wrecking balm, pro fad, rejuvi, etc) work to remove ink from tattoos. In most cases, these creams just use bleach or other abrasive chemicals to mask the tattoo instead of actually removing any of the ink particles. When tattoo ink has settled into deeper layer of the skin (the dermis, as opposed to the epidermis), these creams are not able to reach into that deep layer to target the ink.
“Laser tattoo removal often causes scarring.”
There is a minimal risk of scarring associated with laser tattoo removal. Scarring is possible, but extremely uncommon, and the risk is very low if proper protocol is followed. Certified laser specialists will use a recommended amount of energy to ensure that scarring does not happen. We also recommend at least 6 to 8 weeks in between each treatment to ensure proper healing of skin. Individuals should also be aware that scarring can result from picking scabs after laser treatments, and should follow strict aftercare instructions to prevent this from occurring.
“A laser hair machine will be effective at removing my tattoo.”
Absolutely not! Hair removal lasers often do use some of the same wavelengths as some tattoo removal lasers, but the duration of the pulse is MUCH longer. The pulse from a hair removal laser is about one million times longer than that of a tattoo removal laser. Due to the difference in pulse width, hair removal lasers are completely inappropriate to use for removing tattoos. It will direct a pulse of energy that lasts for much too long, causing thermal injury (i.e. burning) and potential scarring of the skin.
“New tattoos cannot be removed.”
Tattoos do not need to be old and faded to be removed. We can treat fresh tattoos as long as the skin is completely healed and there are no scabs. It is actually beneficial to treat new tattoos because there will still be ink settled in the top layer of the skin, which is easier to treat. Healing time will vary, but most people will need around 4 weeks of healing time before beginning laser tattoo removal treatment.
“Tattoos will come off with just one laser treatment.”
This is simply not true. Some companies make promises of this very claim, but it is not realistic. No clinic on earth has the technology to completely shatter all of the ink in a professional tattoo in just one visit. There are many different factors that influence how many treatment sessions someone will need to completely remove a tattoo, including the following: the type of ink used in tattooing, the amount of ink in the tattoo, the depth of the ink, any scar tissue present in the tattooed skin, the part of the body tattooed, if the ink is homemade or professional, the condition of the immune system, the circulation of the blood in the treated area, skin type, age of tattoo, age of patient, etc. There is just no way to predict how many treatment sessions it will take to completely remove a tattoo, but we usually find that it can range from five to twelve treatment sessions. It is a process and it does require commitment, but we definitely have the technology to completely remove tattoos.
What Are My Hair Removal Options If I Already Have Tattoos?
If you already have tattoos and have decided you also want laser hair removal, there are still options. A tattoo on your forearm will not be a problem for armpit hair removal. However, if you have a thigh tattoo and decide you want full leg laser hair removal, this presents a problem. Depending on the size and placement of your tattoo, a template will be placed over top with an appropriate-sized buffer to protect you and your ink. We can laser around the area, but you will need to continue to use other forms of hair removal, such as shaving, over the untreated area.
What if I want my tattoo removed as well as laser hair removal?
For those who are looking into getting rid of an unwanted tattoo as well as laser hair removal, it’s best to focus on getting rid of the tattoo first. You will likely have to wait until your laser tattoo removal is complete before you can start the hair elimination process, but each case is different. It really depends on where your tattoo is located and how much overlap there is between your ink and the hair you want to be removed.
It is also very important that you visit a laser hair removal clinic that has well-trained and experienced laser technicians, like those at Celebrity Laser & Skin Care, who can safely treat around your tattoo.