Laser hair removal is an efficient and relatively painless way to get smooth, hair-free skin. The procedure involves using a powerful, concentrated beam of light to damage the hair follicles and minimise future hair growth. The treatment often involves multiple sessions, as it only delays hair growth. It does, however, provide a long-term solution to hair removal, compared to traditional methods such as waxing, threading or using creams.
You should not get laser hair removal over your tattoos. It is recommended to use alternatives to laser hair removal if someone with tattoos wants to go through a hair removal treatment. If you have a tattoo, you will want your tattoo to remain permanent and of good quality, as vivid as when you got it. Tattoos are removed via lasers, which break down the ink into small fragments. Despite tattoo removal and laser hair removal being two distinctly different treatments, laser hair removal can still impact tattoo ink. The laser from laser hair removal can get attracted to the tattoo ink. This will remove the hair, but will also damage the tattoo and the skin.
If you would like to go through both laser hair and tattoo removal, it is recommended to go through tattoo removal first and then receive laser hair removal once the skin has considerably healed.
If you receive laser hair removal on tattooed skin, the injuries can be considerable. You may risk burns, blisters or damage to your skin. Some common damages include:
- Fading – The laser can break down and remove the tattoo pigments, causing the tattoo itself to fade away.
- Blistering – The laser can burn the tattoo pigment, causing blistering and scarring of the skin. The risk of laser hair removal on skin with tattoos is much higher, as artificial pigments in tattoos react more violently to laser than the natural pigments in the skin.
- Nerve damage – This is a rare complication. If the laser hair removal is not of good quality, the laser can cause serious damage to the skin and beneath the skin.
Therefore, it is very important that laser hair removal does not affect tattoos. Caution must be taken to avoid direct reaction with the ink. It is not recommended to get laser hair removal if you have tattoos. However, the procedure can be carried out successfully if done with caution. It can be a complex process and may require more treatments than usual. The best that most practices can do is laser the skin around the tattoo. While the tattooed area cannot be lasered, laser hair removal is still safe to perform on unmarked areas of the body.
Expert technicians will have a consultation with the client first, where they will consider the aims of the treatment and your unique skin condition. They will then discuss a treatment plan with you that is suited to your skin and objectives before continuing with any treatment.
When going for laser hair removal with tattoos, the technician will make a template to cover the tattoo, to ensure that there is no contact between the laser and the tattoo. This will protect the ink and your skin from any possible injuries. Typically, the technician will ensure that there is about two to three centimetres between your tattoo and the treatment area for the laser hair removal. It is vital that the laser does not come into contact with the tattoo ink at any time. The procedure must be done correctly and with extreme caution, to prevent burning of the skin.
If a salon did not consider the implications of laser hair removal and your tattoos before treatment, they can be held accountable for a breach of negligence.
We understand what clients expect when they go for laser hair removal treatments. When things go wrong, it can have long lasting effects, both physically and mentally.
Here at GSR Solicitors, we specialise in laser hair removal claims and have previously recovered tens of thousands in compensation for our clients. Our dedicated team are always committed to achieving the best possible outcome for you, and on top of the compensation.
For a free initial advice on how we can assist you please contact us on 01772 356201, email: team1@gsrsolicitors.com or complete our online enquiry form and we will call you.
