Breast Implants Q&A

80%

WORTH IT RATING

1,008 Reviews

Ask a Question

View Before and Afters

Average Breast Implants Cost: $6,000

Learn about Breast Implants

4,917 people and 831 doctors are talking about Breast Implants

Get Free Email Updates

Will Tattoo Removal Affect Breast Implants?

asked 2 years ago by Asia88 in Virginia
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 855 times
Tags: breasts, female, tattoo

I am considering Breast Augmentation, but I have tattoos on my breast, about the size of three fingers on each. I plan on having them removed by laser treatment. If I get Breast implants before I start the Tattoo removal treatment, can the laser harm my implants? Should I get the tattoos removed before I get implants?

13 answers to Will Tattoo Removal Affect Breast Implants?

Tattoos and implants

Having a tattoo placed or removed, should have no effect on the breast implants directly. If you are having it removd after implants, jsut wait some time to heal.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Will Tattoo Removal Affect Breast Implants?

Will Tattoo Removal Affect Breast Implants? The lasers work predominantly on the dermis and the implants are considerably deeper. Although it will not likely effect the implant, it could effect the scar.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tattoo removal will not hurt breast implants.

Hi. You can have your tattoos treated before or after you get breast implants. There is no interaction. But I should tell you that tattoo removal is difficult and seldom fully successfull.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

No relationship between Tattoo Removal and Breast Implants

This is a personal question. You must do what is best for you. There is NO relationship between the tattoo removal and implantation. You should get the implants first from my point of view and maybe you will than keep the tattoo.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Tattoo removal from the breasts before or after breast implant surgery

The laser used for tattoo removal will not penetrate the subcutaneous plane. It only reaches the dermis of the skin, so it will not affect your imlant if it is in place prior to the tattoo removal. If, however, the tattoo removal should not be done if the incisions of the breast surgery are raw. You don't want to chance the rare complication of a skin infection from the tattoo removal which could theoretically increase the risk of the implant getting infected via an opening in the skin. ... more

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Tattoo removal over breast implants

We have been providing laser tattoo removal for almost ten years now including over areas that patients have had breast implants. The laser for removing the tattoo ink does not penetrate past the dermis so there should be no problems with the tattoo removal causing breast implant complications. You might want to separate the treatments by two months after the implants to give the breast tissue a chance to heal. I hope this information helps.

Scott Trimas, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Tattoo Removal BEFORE or AFTER Breast Implant Placement

Uncomplicated tattoo removal involves the delivery of high levels of energy to each tattoo pigments busting it into small enough pieces that the white cells of the body can gulp them up and remove them from the area. The depth of the process takes place in the deep skin NOT at the level of the implants. So, in principle, it SHOULD be safe to do. However, with every surgical procedure there is the pesky issue of potential complications. If complications such as a burn or infection takes... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Tattoo Removal over Breast Implants

Hello Asia, I have removed many tattoo's on breast skin after augmentation safely and effectively. The lasers don't penetrate anywhere near the depth required to damage in implant. The lasers required to perform such removal are what's known as quality switched or Q switched lasers. Hope this helps. Dr D.

Louis M. DeJoseph, MD
Atlanta Facial Plastic Surgeon

Tattoo laser and breast implanst

Not to worry. The tattoo lasering will not have any effect on the Breast Implants. They are much deeper than how far the laser goes through the skin.

John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

Tattoos and breast implants

I would suggest having your tattoo removal done prior to your implants. I don't believe that implants would be affected by the laser removal process in any way, but it's probably better to be safe and just get them removed prior to surgery. Good luck.

Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Wait for tattoo removal after breast augmentation

There should be no issues with tattoo removal after you have recovered from breast augmentation. Wait a few months post-op prior to having the laser treatment done.

Scott Sattler, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

Tattoo Removal Effect on Implants

Laser removal of your breast tattoos should have no effect on breast implants. You should be advised that multiple laser treatments are usually required. It probably makes no difference in the order you select for your procedures.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Timing for Breast Implants likely not to matter

First things first...the laser will not penetrate deeply enough to harm your implants. Second, whether you get the laser first or the implants first will not matter much...assuming you don't eventually get the tattoos surgically excised. If you do opt for excision, it would be wise to get the implants first and let the skin stretch before doing the excision.