Help! What to do? HUGE blister popped under dressing of fresh lasered tattoo. (Photo)

Question

Please may I have advice what to do. My clinic is closed over the weekend - I had my arm tattoo lasered for the first time today and it quickly developed a horrible HUGE blister which has popped in my sleep and woke me up. I'm guessing I rolled on it.. the clinician told me to keep my dressing on for 48 hours but, it's absolutely soaking in water from the blister I have removed it. What do I do about after care now?! Would a dressing and bandage be ok? I'm worried about infection risk. Thanks

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist for after care. Some blistering can happen with laser tattoo removal, but this isn't typical. I recommend silicone gel with growth factors and hyperbaric oxygen to promote healing. The skin must completely heal prior to future treatments. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Michelle Ellern, DO · Answer

You need to be seen either at your place of treatment or somewhere that can handle a burn injury.  In the meantime keep the area covered with Vasaline.  Also the area needs to full heal prior to any more treatments.

Steven F. Weiner, MD · Answer

I would see someone before the weekend is up. This is a burn and needs special treatment. I would consider steroids, burn dressings, silvadene, biafine, and/or aquaphor. Circumferential tattoos should not be treated all at once because you don't want to have scarring that goes completely around the wrist if a problem were to arise as in this case. I would also consider PRP and possibly HBO

Norman N. Bein, MD, FACS, RVT · Answer

Some inks with cause this type of blistering especially red.  You should keep the area clean, wash with soap and water several times per day, apply lots of ointment such as calendula, aquaphor or antibiotic if there is nothing else.  Keep doing this until the scabbing has resolved and then massage the area with a good quality medical barrier cream such as Epionce.  We do advise that you wait at least 8 weeks between treatments to allow for complete healing and skin conditioning.  These do not typically get infected with the above care and cleanliness.  It isn't a burn but a response to the ink.

Help! What to do? HUGE blister popped under dressing of fresh lasered tattoo. (Photo)

Answers (4)

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