Is blisters normal after laser tattoo removal surgery?

Answer 1

Most patients will experience some form of blistering with any properly executed laser tattoo removal treatment. It is your body responding to the injury by the laser. One of the good things about blistering with tattoo removal is that is not very deep in the skin and should not cause scarring. However, these blisters can get fairly large including covering the entire area treated by the laser. Don't worry, these blisters heal up beautifully and it will seem like you never had them. Most blistering is gone in one week although occasionally it can last up to two weeks. Most patients will keep them covered if they are in area that may be uncomfortable when wearing clothes (for example, on the waist where your pants button or on your foot where you wear shoes and socks). The blisters will heal up well on their own so just sit back and let your body do the work for you.

Here are a few things that may increase your risk for blistering: 1. Lighter skin

2. Bright, colorful tattoos- tattoos with lighter colors require the use of a 532nm wavelength laser which tends to blister more.

3. First treatment- During your first laser tattoo removal treatment, you have more ink than you will during your second, third, etc. Since you have more ink, there is slightly more side effects to the tattoo removal treatment. Again, don't worry too much about blistering, just expect that it will happen and know that it will heal up nicely. Sometimes you even see your tattoo color come out with the blistering which is a very good thing.