This is a question we often get.  Someone may have just gotten a tattoo put on and are already regretting it.  They want to know if they can get laser tattoo removal immediately.   They even consider other methods of removal to get the process started quickly and before the tattoo heals.

There are a lot of underground techniques out there on the internet to try to get a tattoo off before it has healed and set in.  They range from scrubbing with abrasives, to chemicals and various other techniques.  Unfortunately, none of these techniques are medically proven or generally accepted.  They are not performed in doctors’ offices or clinics.  If you try them yourself, it’s possible that you will achieve some fading but it’s also possible that you will cause a scar or infection.  Having discussed this issue with various dermatologists, Dr. Kaplan cannot recommend any of these methods at this time.

A new tattoo generally heals within 1-2 weeks.  By the time the skin is no longer broken, it is ok to start laser tattoo removal.  Although we have no scientific data on this, starting early is better than waiting a few months or more.  Once you start treatment, you can continue getting more treatments as frequently as every 4-6 weeks.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 18th, 2009 at 6:29 pm and is filed under Laser tattoo removal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.