For many, tattoos are pieces of artwork on the body, which often means avoiding anything that could potentially compromise the look of the art. And, unfortunately, this can mean avoiding cosmetic procedures like laser hair removal.
Does this predicament sound familiar?
If so, we’re here to give you some good news: You have options! Just because you have a tattoo does not necessarily mean you need to avoid laser hair removal entirely. It simply means you need to educate yourself and have a professional team on your side that knows how to remove hair without compromising the tattoo.
How laser hair removal works
First things first, we need to understand how laser hair removal works.
Laser hair removal works by using a concentrated beam of light to absorb unwanted hair on parts of the body that can range from the arms and legs to the face and stomach.
When we use this bright laser on the skin, the light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair. This creates heat in the hair, which then works to damage the hair follicle to help prevent future hair growth.
How laser hair removal affects tattoos
Will laser hair removal ruin my tattoo? This is one of the most common questions our clients ask us. The biggest reason why people get worried about their tattoos during laser hair removal is because of the laser’s inability to discern between the pigment in the hair and the pigment in the tattoo.
As mentioned above, with laser hair removal, the laser works when the hair pigment absorbs that light. Well, the same thing can potentially occur when a tattoo is present. Or, more specifically, rather than the hair pigment absorbing the light, the tattoo does.
This can result in the distortion of the tattoo, and/or a loss of pigment in the tattoo (i.e. fading).
Why tattoo placement matters
While this isn’t always something we can control, if you’re planning on getting a tattoo and you’re interested in laser hair removal, it is best to keep in mind the tattoo placement.
For instance, most clients find that rib tattoos aren’t impacted by laser hair removal because this generally isn’t an area of the body that grows much hair. On the other hand, if you get a thigh tattoo and want laser hair removal on your legs, you might find that the tattoo is impacted.
In addition, even if you’ve already had laser hair removal, we still recommend considering tattoo placement. Remember, no treatment is entirely permanent. Most clients find that they require touch-up sessions over the years, which could be impacted if you get a tattoo in an area where you want a touch-up.
What are your options?
Your most common option is to avoid laser hair removal on the tattooed area entirely. Because many clients are worried about distorting their tattoos, they resort to this option to be on the safe side.
If you’re still unsure, we would be happy to discuss your options further.
Book your laser hair removal appointment with us today!
If you’re ready to experience the joys of laser hair removal while still maintaining the quality of your tattoo, Bare Tattoo and Laser Hair Removal is here for you.
Call us at (219) 237-0044, or book your appointment today.
