Is it normal to get blisters a week and a half after a laser tattoo removal treatment? (Photo)

Question

I received laser tattoo removal treatment a week and a half ago. It stung for about 3 days and then on the 4th day the extreme itch set in. It itches for another 4 days and this morning I woke up to blisters. The tattoo is also slightly raised, but they said this was normal. I’ve been in contact with my doctor (almost to a level of annoyance) and they keep saying I’m fine, but I just want to double check. I figure do I’d be starting to heal by now, not developing blisters. Thanks in advance.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi Les.  We have seen this type of reaction previously with one or two tattoo patients of ours.  When blisters develop very soon after the treatment (usually within hours), this indicates a more traditional side effect of treatment.  When blisters develop many days after treatment, it indicates a reaction from the body breaking down and removing the ink from the body.  As a precaution, we prescribed an antibiotic and steroids.  We attempted treatment a second time and when the same response occurred, we stopped treating the patient as we were not comfortable with the reaction that was occurring.

David E. Berman, MD (retired) · Answer

your extreme itching may be preventable, if you get pre-treated (several hours before) with either an anti-histamine or take a single dose of prednisone. i would recommend that you suggest this to your doctor. no guarantee that this will prevent your reaction but worth trying- in my opinion.david berman md

James McMahan, MD (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question and photograph.  Delayed blistering is certainly not a normal response.  The delayed intense itching followed by the appearance of blisters implies an allergic reaction to the ink breakdown products.  It may be necessary to perform very conservative treatments.  I would suggest trying a very small area as see if you get the same response.  Understand that your chance of scarring goes up with blistering.

Is it normal to get blisters a week and a half after a laser tattoo removal treatment? (Photo)

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