The most common risks are scarring or the ink turning a different color.Â
A more serious (but rare) risk is an infection, such as a staph infection. You can mitigate this risk by going to a reputable provider, like a dermatology office, where they follow strict protocols for cleanliness.Â
People with olive or brown skin may find it more challenging to remove a tattoo, and they may be at a higher risk for complications like blistering, infection, and scarring.Â
Lasers are attracted to dark pigment in the tattoo ink, and they can also be attracted to the pigment, or melanin, in the skin. This can cause burns, hyperpigmentation (an abundance of pigment), or hypopigmentation (a lack of pigment).
Hyperpigmentation can be treated with skin lightening creams, but to avoid triggering these side effects in the first place, most laser specialists use lower energy settings on people with brown or deep skin tones.
If you had any allergic reactions while getting your tattoo, you can also have an allergic reaction to its removal. The particles of pigment that are broken up get carried to the lymph nodes, which spread the reaction and can trigger anaphylaxis (a rapid drop in blood pressure that blocks your airways, making it difficult to breathe).
Research published in JAAD Case Reports even shows the potential for allergic reaction from tattoo removal without an allergic response to the tattoo itself, though this is very rare.
