Can You Get Laser Hair Removal Over A Tattoo?

You’ve invested money into your tattoo, but continue to get frustrated with the hair that pops up and interferes with the tattoo. Shaving regularly is one option, but is laser hair removal in Calgary still on the table post-tattoo?

Let’s take a look!

Is Laser Hair Removal An Option After Getting A Tattoo?

Ultimately, the short answer is no; you are not able to receive a laser hair removal treatment on skin that already has a tattoo. Let’s explore why.

How does laser hair removal work?

With laser hair removal, a concentrated beam of light is directed at your hair follicles. The laser is attracted to pigment, whether that be in the hair root or blood supply to the follicle, and the pigment absorbs the light and heat. This then damages the follicle enough to prevent or stop hair growth.

Will laser hair removal impact my tattoo?

As we’ve established, the laser impacts the pigments in your skin. However, the laser is unable to distinguish between your skin’s pigment and any pigment from a tattoo. This can cause your tattoo to distort or fade in colour.

In fact, the process of removing tattoos is not too dissimilar from laser hair removal in Calgary, as the pigment is targeted, layer by layer, and broken down.

Therefore, you are advised against receiving laser hair removal after getting a tattoo. Even if you were planning on altering or removing your tattoo, the lasers used for hair removal aren’t designed to remove tattoos, so you could end up with blisters, burns, or skin damage.

Can I get laser hair removal prior to getting a tattoo?

Absolutely! This proactive step not only sets you up for success down the road, as you won’t have to worry about shaving over your tattoo, but it also creates a smooth canvas for your tattoo artist to play with.

Can I still get laser hair removal on a different part of my body?

Yes! For example, if your tattoo is on your forearm, but you were hoping to remove the hair on the top side of your arm, this is completely safe to do. Your technician will just take extra precautions to avoid your tattoo and ensure there is no overlap between the tattoo and the areas you would like to have hair removed from.

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