Can Laser Hair Removal Be Done Over Tattoos?
When deciding whether to get laser hair removal, it is important to take into account your body’s uniqueness. For many men and women, this often means their tattoos.
While tattoos can make permanent hair removal tricky, it does not make it impossible. But, if you are one of the 30% of Americans who have a tattoo, there are a few things you should know about laser hair removal.
Can Laser Hair Removal Be Done Over Tattoos?
Laser hair removal should not be done over a tattoo. While the lasers will effectively remove the hair over a tattoo, they will also cause some unwanted (and painful) side effects.
Lasers can reduce up to 75% of the color of a tattoo and cause the lines to blur. This is especially true for black and grey tattoos. This is because the laser used to remove the hair is attracted to black pigment, causing the pigment in the ink to scatter. This attraction towards black pigment is the same reason laser hair removal is more effective on darker hair.
Additionally, the laser can cause severe burning over the inked areas. This will leave you minus a beautiful tattoo and plus a painful scar.
Is the Laser Used for Hair Removal the same as the Laser Used for Tattoo Removal?
There are several types of lasers used for skin treatment purposes.
At Laser By Aleya in Long Island, we use the Diode Laser, which is considered the most effective and safest for hair removal. This type of laser is designed to be efficient at treating individuals with both light and dark skin tones.
On the other hand, lasers used for tattoo removal are optimized for removing ink pigment from the skin and smoothing skin tone. While tattoo removal lasers work similarly to those intended for hair removal, the pulse they emit is nearly 1 million times shorter than that of a Diode laser. The shorter length of pulse makes tattoo removal lasers more gentle to avoid burning the skin. While these lasers are more suitable for smoothing the skin tone, they are not efficient at removing hair.
What Hair Removal Options Are Available for People with Tattoos?
Shaving, waxing, and tweezing are always options, but they are time consuming and non-permanent. Fortunately, there is a permanent solution to hair removal that is 100% safe for use over tattooed areas.
Electrolysis is the only form of hair removal that will leave your tattoo undamaged. Whereas laser hair removal works by using heat-intensive beams of light, electrolysis uses small bursts of electricity to permanently stun the hair follicle. With this method, you are guaranteed to have permanent hair removal without any harm to your skin or your tattoo.
Book Your Electrolysis or Laser Hair Removal Appointment
Choosing the right method of hair removal depends on each individual’s unique needs. For people with tattoos, this means opting for electrolysis to keep the skin safe.
Whether you are looking electrolysis or laser hair removal in Long Island, getting started is as easy as booking an appointment at Laser by Aleya. Schedule now.
