One of the most common side effects of laser tattoo removal is blistering. Blistering occurs in most successfully executed laser tattoo removal treatments. This is the body’s natural response to the injury in that area of the skin and does not provide long term damage. Blistering in tattoo removal is not deep so there should be no scarring but it can be quite big. In fact, blistering can cover the entire area of treatment. Don’t worry, these blisters (even the big ones) heal up beautifully like they were never there. In 95 percent of cases, blistering is gone in one week after your first treatment. During each additional treatment the blistering becomes less and less so if you can make it through the first treatment (and everyone has so far), it is all downhill from there.
Unfortunately, there is not an easy way to prevent blistering but I can give a few examples of what would make you more likely to get blistering:
1. Colorful Tattoos- colorful tattoos require the use of the 532nm wavelength of light in the tattoo removal laser and this wavelength tends to cause more blistering.
2. First Treatment- on your very first treatment you have the most ink in your tattoo and which causes the most side effects including blistering. As your treatments progress to your second, third, fourth, etc, you will notice you have fewer side effects and those that you do have are less severe. This is due to your body flushing out ink during every laser treatment.
3. Light Skin
Don’t worry too much about blistering with your tattoo removal treatment. Expect to have some form of blistering because most people do and know that they will heal wonderfully. You will never know you had them after your skin is fully healed.
If you have any further questions regarding blistering please let me know. I would be happy to give you all the information you need so you can have a successful tattoo removal experience.
Thanks,
Lynette Kennedy, FNP CLS
