You have a tattoo which was meaningful years back, but now it doesn’t fits in? So now you want to get rid of it? Then you are among the 11% of Americans who have either had one removed or are planning to get it removed. And the good thing is that you don’t need to choose any of those traditional, painful methods. For getting rid of unwanted ink you have a better option- laser tattoo removal.

While the process works by breaking down the pigmentation which is later removed by the immune system, it is worth considering that similar to any other skin treatment it comes with some cons. Let’s have a quick look at some potential side effects which you know beforehand.

1. Redness: Generally, your skin tends to become red after treatments and this can last for up to 72 hours. You don’t need to fret about this too much. Redness around the tattooed area indicates toward sensitive skin. It occurs due to minimal or moderate pinpoint bleeding within the skin. Here it is important to know that you should never see blood on your dressing. And if you find the same, see a doctor at the earliest.

   Pro tip: Don’t indulge in any kind of exercises which will create friction. Also gently pat off any sweat or water. Keep your skin dry.

2. Itchiness: Though it is common, yet you cannot overlook the same for any reason. In case, it itches a lot and you feel it hard to resist the urge to scratch, you can use a topical anesthetic solution like NumbSkin cream. This comes with 5% lidocaine which is a numbing agent and can block the pain signals for three to four hours. As you skin turns numb, you won’t feel any itching sensation.
3. Blistering: Do you have a very sensitive skin? Do you get blisters after sunburn? Then you might be dealing with same after laser. Basically, blistering is caused by irritation of the skin. It will initially appear similar to a bubble on the top layer of skin. Make sure you never burst your blisters. It is actually your body’s method to protect the skin form dangerous bacteria which if get in contact can cause severe infections. And popping it will be the worst thing you could ever do to your skin. It will result in infection and cause discomfort.
4. Swelling: It is something normal after a laser session. However, it will depend on number of factors like the size of the tattoo, your skin’s sensitivity, and much more. Thankfully, there are a few measures you can take to lower the risks of swelling. For instance, if you have tattoo on the upper or lower trunk, you can ice the area intermittently for 10 minutesto help with the inflammation. Similarly, for larger on the back, torso, and chest, you can consider taking complete rest for a day or two to avoid vigorous, repetitive movements.
5. Crusting, Dryness, and Scabbing: These are common in the initial days. Once the blisters have subsided, your skin starts scabbing. There are chances that the affected area starts appearing a lot worse than it is. However, in few days the crustingwill disappear naturally. In case, it doesn’t go away you must look forward to an appointment with your laser practitioner. 

Lastly, remember the decision to have a tattoo removed has to be taken carefully. Now when you know the ins and outs, you can carefully weigh them before making a final decision.