Laser Hair Removal on a Tattoo: Good or Bad Idea?

Laser hair removal allows you to get rid of unwanted hair for good. But what are the risks if you have a tattoo on the area you wish to remove?
Is it safe to remove laser hair from a tattoo?

Find out everything you need to know before making an appointment!

What is laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal is a technique for hair reduction using concentrated beams of light.
The laser emits light that is absorbed by melanin, the pigment found in hair.

This absorption then heats up and damages the hair follicle, inhibiting or delaying future hair growth.
This process is achieved by several sessions to effectively target hairs during the different phases of their growth cycle.

The main advantages of laser hair removal? Its ability to significantly reduce hair density, and its effectiveness on all kinds of areas such as legs, bikini line, underarms and face (underarm laser hair removal being increasingly popular for its practicality).

How compatible are laser hair removal and tattoos?

Laser hair removal cannot be performed directly on a tattoo.
Il faut savoir que le laser, en ciblant la mélanine dans les poils, risque aussi de target tattoo pigments.
Sur une peau tatouée, les side effects of laser hair removal may include burns, discoloration or scarring.

This incompatibility only concerns the area where your tattoo is located.
A tattoo on the shoulder will therefore not prevent you from having a laser leg hair removal for example, and so on. Compatibility between laser hair removal and tattooing depends on a number of factors, such as :

• tattoo color Dark inks absorb more light and are more likely to cause damage when the laser is used;
• skin type Light skins with dark hairs are ideal for laser hair removal, but the presence of a tattoo can significantly alter this dynamic;
• the power of the laser used A laser that is too powerful can damage the tattooed skin, while a less powerful laser may be less effective for hair removal.

For all these reasons, we strongly recommend that you consult a qualified professional who will be able to adapt the treatment, bypass the tattooed areas and offer you safe alternatives to permanent hair removal !

Laser hair removal on a tattoo: what are the risks?

Laser hair removal on a tattoo can present several potential riskssuch as :

• permanent tattoo discoloration Tattoo pigments can absorb laser energy, which can alter or even partially erase them;
• skin irritation Skin irritations: ranging from temporary redness to more serious burns, these irritations can lead to permanent scarring;
• inflammatory reactions which in turn aggravate irritation.

How do I remove hair from a tattooed area?

To remove hair from a tattooed area, you can turn to various alternative methods, such as laser hair removal for women :

• electric hair removal A fine needle delivers an electric current into the hair follicle, destroying the hair root.
  The advantage of this precise method is that it is suitable for small areas;
• shaving Shaving: using a razor is one of the quickest and easiest ways to remove hair.
  Shaving will not affect the pigments in your tattoo as it cuts the hairs on the surface of the skin (although it may be necessary to shave regularly to maintain smooth skin);
• waxing Waxing: hot or cold wax is applied to the area to be waxed, then the hairs are removed in one swift movement.
  This method is very safe for tattooed areas, as it does not interact with the tattoo pigments;
• depilatory cream These creams dissolve the hair structure, making them easy to wipe off.
  Remember to test the cream on a small area of untattooed skin before applying it to the tattoo, as the chemicals may cause irritation or allergic reactions.
  If no reaction is observed, the cream can be used carefully around the tattoo, avoiding direct contact with the ink to minimize the risk of irritation;
• Threading hair removal: this traditional technique uses a twisted cotton thread to catch and remove hairs, without impacting tattoos.
  It is mainly used on the face, but can also be applied to small areas of the body;
• epilation with tweezers Tweezing: for small areas or precise touch-ups, you can also rely on tweezers to remove hairs one by one without affecting your tattoos, although this method can be time-consuming for large surfaces.

These alternatives enable you to preserve the integrity of your tattoo while obtaining smooth skin. Don’t hesitate to make an appointment with one of our lazer doctors to discuss your laser hair removal project and benefit from personalized advice. The first consultation is free and will help you avoid the risks associated with laser hair removal on tattoos and optimize the success of your hair removal sessions!