How To Treat Blisters After Tattoo Removal?

When you get a tattoo, the general idea is that the tattoo is permanent and will stay with you for the rest of your life. Sure, it almost looks like people develop a romantic relationship with their tattoo, but truth be told, one can get attached to their body art. Tattoos become a part of you, literally and figuratively.

But what happens when your tattoo doesn’t turn out the way you wanted or everything gets messed up due to some complication? Well, whenever something is creating problems in your life, the best thing you can do is get rid of it. So, in the event of a bad tattoo, the best thing to do is either cover it up with a new one or get rid of the tattoo permanently.

Now, if you’re reading this, you’re either considering getting a tattoo removed, or you’ve already done so. Either way, you need answers.

Blistering, a sad side effect of tattoo removal, is completely normal. But, how do you treat these blisters? No one wants a stark reminder of what was once a tattoo. So, in the following paragraphs, we are going to dive into some tips and tricks on how you can promote the healing of blisters quickly and effectively.

Tattoo Removal Ampoules: Explained

Why do tattoo removal blisters appear?

As for why blisters appear after a laser tattoo removal procedure is complete, they may be completely related to the laser itself. The laser machine is designed to locate the pigment in the skin and uses heat to diffuse the pigment and disperse it into the skin. As a result, the tattoo completely disappeared in the majority of cases.

However, due to the heat used by the laser, it damages the skin. Therefore, once the laser is finished, the skin will begin to heal and one of the first signs of healing are blisters. In addition to blisters, there may also be scabs and scabs.

Blisters, scabs, and crusting are all a good sign; when they occur, it means that a new layer of skin is forming and the treated area is healing. The reason blisters occur on their own is more of a protective nature. The blisters caused by blisters are a form of skin protection; the bubbles prevent germs and bacteria from entering the treated area and causing infection.

How long do the blisters stay?

After the laser removal process is complete, where the tattoo was, blisters will appear. From the time they appear to the time they scab over and scab over and fall off, you will have to wait anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. To be more specific, the longevity of scabs depends on many things;

• The severity of the blisters
• The type of tattoo that was removed (the color of the ink)
• The placement of the old tattoo

Now, if the tattoo was placed in a very sensitive place, where the skin is thinner and there are a lot of nerve endings, the blisters can stay for a week.

On the other hand, if the removed tattoo was colored and contained pigments like red, yellow, or green, the blistering will be more severe because it will take more time and laser heat to diffuse the ink. If the ink was black, the laser removal will happen faster, which means the blisters won’t be as dramatic and could heal for up to 72 hours.

So how do you properly treat blisters?

At the end of the laser removal procedure, you will receive follow-up information. However, sometimes you just need more insight when it comes to the actual treatment and aftercare, so there you have it;

• Keep the treated area clean – we do not recommend that you start cleaning the treated area immediately. Just like with new tattoos, you need to let everything cool down and start to dry for at least the first few hours.

Then you can wash the area once a day with warm water and antibacterial soap. Be sure to dry the area thoroughly when you’re done, using a paper towel or clean towel/cloth.

• Use antibiotic ointment – such an ointment is crucial for blister control and skin healing. Antibiotic ointment can prevent the buildup of germs in this sensitive area, which can further prevent inflammation and infection.

The ointment also prevents large blisters and promotes faster formation of new layers of skin. Antibiotic ointment is also available over the counter or online. Be sure to apply thin layers of the ointment up to three times a day for maximum effect.

Picking will prolong the healing of the blisters and you could even introduce germs and bacteria to the area and cause an infection. Picking and peeling blisters and scabs can completely disrupt the healing process and even cause skin pigmentation issues later on.

• Avoid long showers and avoid bathing – for the blisters to heal, they must first dry out. As they dry, they form a scab which falls off as a new layer of skin forms underneath.

Long showers and swimming can prevent this process from occurring, which could extend the overall healing time. We also recommend that you minimize activities that cause sweating until at least the scab has formed. Sweating can also cause excess moisture in the healing area and also introduce germs and bacteria.

Also read: Showering with a new tattoo: can you do it and how?

• Apply sunscreen – if the treated area and the blisters are visible and exposed, it is essential to protect them by using an appropriate sunscreen. Sun exposure can promote skin damage and even make blisters worse. In some cases, excessive exposure of the blister can even lead to inflammation and swelling of the area.

Be sure to use a sunscreen of SPF 25 and above. You should apply sunscreen for at least two or three months, or until the area is completely healed. In some cases, the blisters can cause scarring in the formerly tattooed area. Even then, you should apply sunscreen to protect the scars from further damage.

Also Read: Tattoo Pain Management: How To Make Tattoos Less Painful

• Consider painkillers – in case of healing of sensitivity and inflammation, it is recommended to take analgesics. By all means, avoid pain relievers like aspirin, as they can have blood-thinning effects, increase bleeding and bruising in the treated area.
• Avoid covering blisters with makeup – in case of visible tattoo removal blisters, some people tend to apply foundation and concealer to minimize the visibility of redness and tenderness. However, applying makeup can cause inflammation and infection because you are directly transferring bacteria and germs from the makeup to the blisters.

Complications and Solutions to Blisters

In some cases, laser tattoo removal can lead to complications in the form of blisters. Some of the complications include;

• Swollen blisters – sometimes the body recognized the laser treatment as a direct attack. Therefore, to get rid of the “attack”, the treated area swells; it is the protective response of a body. In some cases, swelling can also be an indication of an allergic reaction. So, to keep the swelling under control, see a doctor.
• Itchy blisters – it is quite common for the blister to itch, especially when it starts to dry out and form crusts. However, the itching can in some cases become too uncomfortable and even painful.

Some people have described the itching as infuriating. Scratching the itch can cause many complications, so it’s important to resist the urge to scratch the itch. What you can do is go see a dermatologist who will provide you with valuable information and possible treatment solutions.

• Hyperpigmentation/hypopigmentation – after laser tattoo removal, it is possible to see changes in the skin pigmentation of the treated area. Skin discoloration is a common occurrence, mainly due to blistering of the skin and the creation of patches of new, lighter skin.

Even though hyper and hypopigmentation are not considered a complication, it can still be an embarrassing problem for many people, mainly due to aesthetics and visual appearance.

Final Thoughts

Laser tattoo removal is the best option to get rid of an unwanted tattoo. When done correctly, it is generally safe and nothing to worry about. However, many people are unaware of the whole process and believe that blistering is an alarming sign.

Well, the blisters are just a sign that the skin is healing. Of course, some complications can arise, but if you follow the right blister treatment, the blisters should heal smoothly. If you notice any possible complications or experience inflammation and pain, be sure to see a doctor.

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