Can You Do Laser Hair Removal Over Tattoos?

Updated on: 18th August, 2023

Laser hair removal is a popular and effective way to eliminate unwanted hair nowadays. The light energy from the laser selectively damages the hair follicles in the skin, reducing the new hair growth. 

We all love our tattoos and want the colour of their tattoo to last as long as it did in the first few weeks. Knowing that the hair removal laser targets pigment, one may be hesitant to undergo laser hair removal treatment if you have tattoos. 

So basically the verdict is: 

If you have tattoos, you can still undergo laser hair removal safely, but not on the tattooed areas!

For example, if you have a tattoo on your arm and want to undergo laser hair removal for your face – Sure no problem! You can safely have the treatment for your face. Coming to the arm with the tattoo ? – You can do laser for the surrounding areas without  the tattoo. 

Why?

The hair removal lasers target pigment in the hair follicles, hence they can target all coloured pigments. When a laser is used over a tattoo, the pigment in ink is also targeted, which can cause damage to the skin and the tattoo. This can lead to a range of issues, such as discolouration, fading, and scarring, which can significantly alter the appearance of the tattoo and skin.

The tattoo can get faded, or there can be some colour change or worse it can cause skin damage and scarring. 

While laser hair removal cannot be performed directly on tattooed skin, treating the surrounding area safely is possible. During treatment, the dermatologist will cover the tattooed area with a protective material to prevent the laser from affecting the tattoo. The surrounding area can then be treated with the laser without any risk.

Visit ClearSkin today for more information and take a step towards your laser hair removal journey!

While laser hair removal is safe and effective, it cannot be performed directly on tattooed skin due to the risk of damage to both the skin and the tattoo.

However, you can still undergo laser hair removal on non-tattooed areas and around your tattoos with proper precautions.

For personalized advice and safe treatment, consult with the dermatologists at ClearSkin to ensure your laser hair removal journey is smooth and successful.