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Maybe you got a new tattoo that just didn&#;t turn out the way you hoped. Or maybe you just broke up with your significant other a week after getting his/her name tattooed on your arm. Whatever the situation, we encounter patients with immediate tattoo regret on a relatively consistent basis (it happens more than you think!).
While these individuals usually want to start laser tattoo removal right away, waiting a few weeks prior to starting treatments is necessary. The recommended start time for each individual patient can vary depending on characteristics of the tattoo (including ink type, color, and body area where the tattoo resides). However, most tattoo removal providers will recommend waiting at least 8-16 weeks from the time the tattoo was applied before starting the removal process.
Waiting to removal a fresh tattoo is necessary in terms of safety, as treating a new tattoo too early can result in negative side effects:
Excessive Skin Blistering: In the first few weeks after getting tattooed most people will have some ink particles in the top layer of the skin (dermis) since the skin is not fully healed. Targeting this skin with a tattoo removal laser can result in unnecessary burns and blistering of the skin.
Skin Discoloration: Attempting laser tattoo removal on fresh ink can increase the risk of developing permanent discoloration in the treatment area. As the laser targets the tattoo, the ink shatters into tiny particles. In the case of a new tattoo, the shattered ink particles can become embedded in new collagen strands as the skin heals before it can be removed from the body through metabolic processes.
Scarring Risks: Treating a new (unhealed) tattoo is the equivalent of picking away at a scab on the skin that&#;s trying to heal. Starting too soon can increase the patient&#;s risk of developing permanent scarring along the treatment area.
It&#;s also important for patients to realize that newer tattoos will often require more treatment sessions to fully remove since the ink is fresh. This means removing a brand new tattoo takes more time (as treatment sessions must be spaced apart) and can be more expensive compared to getting rid of an older tattoo due to the need for increased sessions.
So, in a nutshell, you&#;ll have to live with your new tattoo until it&#;s fully healed. In the meantime, it&#;s very important to take care of your tattoo to ensure it heals properly and is ready for removal.
About the AuthorA united group of skin care specialists from Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, Austin's leader in Dermatology and Plastic Surgery. Articles posted under WD staff are authored through combined contributions from our entire team, including Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, Aestheticians, Physician Assistants, Aesthetic Nurses, and Patient Coordinators.
A united group of skin care specialists from Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, Austin's leader in Dermatology and Plastic Surgery. Articles posted under WD staff are authored through combined contributions from our entire team, including Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, Aestheticians, Physician Assistants, Aesthetic Nurses, and Patient Coordinators.
By skn_admin_jk_
12th April
Category: Advice
Medically Reviewed June , by Corine Treacy, Apprenticeship Program Manager, for sk:n. Next review due June .
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Tattoos are not as permanent as traditionally thought thanks to many amazing advancements in laser tattoo removal. As tattoo removal has a high success rate in the complete removal of the design, getting re-tattooed is always tempting. Here is everything you need to know about getting a new tattoo over previously tattooed skin.
In most cases, yes, you can get a new tattoo over a removed one. However, there is a waiting time to be endured. After getting a new tattoo, the skin needs time to heal and this process is necessary when undergoing laser tattoo removal too.
Laser tattoo removal works by using light and heat energy to dissolve ink pigment in the skin cells. The concentrated light beam emitted from the device passes through the skin&#;s surface to target the ink particles, which is then converted to heat energy and shattered by its intensity. The body recognises the foreign ink fragments present and expels them within the lymphatic immune system.
How long do I need to wait before re-tattooing my skin after laser tattoo removal?
Laser tattoo removal is a gradual process, with variants like tattoo size, colour, density and the type of ink used by the tattoo artist, all impacting the removal procedure length.
Therefore, before re-tattooing on previously tattooed skin, it is necessary to complete the recommended number of sessions for full removal and wait between 6 &#; 8 weeks after course completion.
Healing time can vary too, and often, it&#;s best to wait even longer to ensure complete restoration of the skin. Picoway tattoo removal is the most advanced tattoo removal treatment available at sk:n and can remove a tattoo in half the time compared with traditional laser methods.
The only complications with re-tattooing over previously tattooed skin is the prevalence of scar tissue. Whilst it&#;s very uncommon to get scarring from laser tattoo removal, it can occur and is a rare side effect. Scar tissue obstructs the ink from settling regularly on the skin and can impact the design&#;s definition.
Before undergoing any form of laser treatment, your removal specialist will declare whether there is any scar tissue present that may distort the results. They will also outline your own suitability for the treatment and your treatment care plan, including expert pre and post treatment advice.
Read our laser tattoo removal aftercare guidelines here.
The short answer is yes, and if anything, laser hair removal will enhance the final outcome of your tattoo as the skin will be smooth and long lastingly hair free.
Laser hair removal and tattoo removal treatments follow similar practices, where both use light and heat energy to target pigment in the skin: the treatments differ by targeting present hair follicles or ink pigment.
Laser hair removal treatments work to target the hair follicles in their most receptive, active hair growth stage and require multiple sessions to ensure the laser permanently disrupts the hair growing environment.
Similarly to laser tattoo removal treatment, the required sessions to remove the hair can vary, yet once completed, you can get a tattoo after 6 weeks.
You can get a tattoo on previously tattooed skin
Before getting a tattoo, laser hair removal can help enhance the final outcome
Advancements in laser removal treatments mean Picoway tattoo removal is quicker than traditional methods
sk:n are a certified laser clinic and laser treatment provider who specialise in tattoo removal treatments. Before undergoing any treatment, you will have a bespoke consultation where your laser tattoo specialist will disclose your eligibility, give you expert advice and information on your desired treatment.
We offer a specialised product pack for clients, free with every 8 treatment course of laser tattoo removal, which includes a range of high quality brands and skincare products to help minimise irritation, prevent dehydration, soothe and deeply protect the tattooed skin.
Click here to book your treatment in one of our popular London clinics or click here to book in our other clinics throughout the UK.
Want more information on nd yag tattoo removal? Feel free to contact us.