How Long Do I Have to Wait Before Having my Second Laser Tattoo Removal?

asked 1 year ago by London7700 in London
Latest answer by Russell W. H. Kridel, MD
Question viewed 871 times
Tags: female, laser, timing

Last week i had my first laser tattoo removal session and a friend of mine went to a different place for her first session aswell. Our tattoos are quite similar, however he booked me in for my second session two weeks later were as she was told she had to wait at least a month before her second session. Is there a time gap you have to wait between sessions?

4 answers to How Long Do I Have to Wait Before Having my Second Laser Tattoo Removal?

Tattoo treatment timing

Think of your tattoo as if it's a boulder under your skin. Your body can't absorb it because it's too big. The laser acts to break up the boulder into smaller particles that your body can absorb. Think about a bruise you may get after an injury; it takes time for the body to take it away. If you let your body do the maximal work it's going to do after a laser treatment, you will need fewer treatments. Also, if you treat an area too soon after the last treatment, the skin may... more

Russell W. H. Kridel, MD
Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.todaysface.com

Laser tattoo removal waiting a month or more in between treatments

Although there may be prolonged healing if a recently laser-treated area is treated too soon, some physicians might consider treating at two weeks, but the standard time interval between two laser tattoo removal treatments is four to six weeks. This allows the shattered granules from the explosive laser energy which was absorbed by the tattoo pigment, to be engulfed by the macrophage immune cells and then be carried away through the lymphatic system. The pigment will then be less... more

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Tattoos can be treated as often as every two weeks

In my experience, tattoos can be treated as often as every two weeks. It is important to realize that the longer you wait between treatments, the fewer treatments you will need. This is because Q-switched laser treatment shatters the granules of tattoo ink, making it easier for your body to get rid of the ink. The longer you wait between treatments, the more work your body does and the less work there is for the laser to do. BUT not everyone wants to wait 6-12 months between... more

Kevin C. Smith, MD
Niagara Falls Dermatologic Surgeon

Time in between tattoo removal treatments

I recommend that my patients wait at least 4 weeks in between each treatment so that we can see how effective the actual treatment was and allow an appropriate time for your body to heal. When you wait less than this, the skin has not had enough time to heal and further injury could provoke scaring. Many of my patients prefer to even wait 6 weeks in between each treatment because they see continued improvement in those last 2 weeks. I hope this helps. Kindest regards... more

Neil J. Zemmel, MD
Richmond Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question

Get Free Email Updates

How Long Do I Have to Wait Before Having my Second Laser Tattoo Removal?

Tattoo treatment timing

Laser tattoo removal waiting a month or more in between treatments

Tattoos can be treated as often as every two weeks

Time in between tattoo removal treatments

Doctors Nearby

Related Tattoo Removal Q&A