Immediately following laser tattoo removal, the treated area may feel warm, tender or similar to sunburn.

Redness and swelling are common, and the tattoo may temporarily appear raised or more prominent. You may also notice temporary whitening or frosting of the treated tattoo immediately after the laser treatment.

During the following hours and days, some clients may experience:

• Redness and swelling
• Tenderness or sensitivity
• Bruising
• Pinpoint bleeding
• Blistering or weeping
• Itching or dryness
• Scabbing or crusting

Not everyone will experience all of these reactions. The response can vary between treatments and will depend on factors including the tattoo, pigment, location and your individual healing response.

As healing progresses, any blistering or scabbing should settle naturally. The skin underneath may initially appear pink or more sensitive than the surrounding skin.

Tattoo fading does not happen immediately. Your body continues processing fragmented tattoo pigment after the skin has healed, so changes can continue to become noticeable over the following weeks.

Keep the treated area clean and protected from unnecessary irritation while it heals.

You may gently clean the area with lukewarm water when required. Pat the skin dry carefully with a clean towel rather than rubbing or scrubbing it.

If needed, apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel using clean hands to help cool and soothe the skin. Keeping your aloe vera in the fridge can provide additional cooling relief.

Where practical, avoid unnecessary friction against the area.

If the treatment site is likely to rub against clothing, become dirty through work or catch on something, a clean, breathable dressing may be used for protection where appropriate. Replace it if it becomes wet or dirty and avoid leaving a damp dressing against the skin.

Once the skin has completely healed and there is no blistering, weeping, broken skin or scabbing, you may return to your usual gentle moisturising routine.

If you choose to use a moisturising or scar-care product, gently massage it into the area only once the skin has fully healed.

Until the treated area has healed:

• Avoid prolonged exposure to water, including swimming, baths, hot tubs and steam rooms.

• Do not pick, scratch or deliberately remove scabs or treated tissue. Allow everything to detach naturally.

• Avoid applying make-up directly over the treated area while the skin is broken or scabbed. Once healed, make-up can be reintroduced gently.

• Avoid shaving directly over the treated area until the skin has healed and any scabbing has naturally lifted. Take particular care with facial/beard areas and when shaving the legs or body.

• Avoid perfumed products and fake tan on or around the treated area.

• Avoid active skincare ingredients such as retinoids and exfoliating acids on or around the area.

• Avoid unnecessary friction, rubbing or pressure. Loose-fitting clothing is recommended where appropriate, particularly during the first few days.

• Avoid strenuous exercise and activities that cause significant sweating, friction or stretching of the treated area while the skin is healing. Once the scab has naturally lifted and the skin has healed, you can gradually return to your usual exercise.

• Avoid direct sun exposure to the treated area while it is healing.

Interfering with the healing area can increase the risk of irritation, delayed healing, infection, scarring, indentation or changes in pigmentation.

Once healed, it is normal for the treated area to temporarily appear a different colour from the surrounding skin.

The area may appear pink or red as part of the healing response, known as post-inflammatory erythema.

Some areas may temporarily become darker (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) or lighter (post-inflammatory hypopigmentation).

These changes often gradually improve as the skin continues to heal and settle. This can take several months and, in some cases, longer.

While the area is healing, keep it covered or out of direct sunlight where possible.

Once the skin has completely healed and there is no broken skin or scabbing, apply a broad-spectrum SPF 50 to exposed areas and reapply regularly when outdoors.

Good sun protection helps protect the newly healed skin and reduces the risk of prolonged pigmentation changes.

Please contact me if:

• The treated lesion has not detached after approximately 2–3 weeks.

• A small amount of the lesion remains once the area has healed.

• You are concerned about how the area is healing.

• You experience anything unexpected following treatment.

Some redness and tenderness can be normal immediately after treatment. However, increasing redness, swelling, pain, heat or yellow/green discharge may indicate an infection.

If you develop these symptoms, please seek advice from a pharmacist or GP, and please let me know.

If you’re ever unsure whether something you’re experiencing is part of normal healing, you’re welcome to contact me for advice.

Some concerns, including thread veins, verrucas and warts, may require more than one treatment to achieve the desired result.

Delicate areas or larger lesions may also occasionally require an additional treatment. This does not necessarily mean the first treatment has been unsuccessful; in some circumstances, a more conservative approach is preferable to over-treating the skin.

Where appropriate, further treatment will only be carried out once the area has healed sufficiently and the skin is ready to be treated again.

Please inform me of any changes to your health, medication or pregnancy status before any further treatment.

If you have any questions or concerns during the healing process, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.