Did you know that sun exposure can effect tattoo removal?

Laser tattoo removal offers people the option of removing a tattoo they once thought was a permanent decision.  Laser technology has greatly improved over the past several years and become more widely available in Seattle and the surrounding areas.  Although the advancements in laser technology has made significant improvements in the ability to remove tattoos, there are still contributing factors that effect the success of tattoo removal such as ink color and quality, location, the age of the tattoo and sun exposure. 

How does sun exposure affect laser tattoo removal? 

Sun, or UV, exposure affects laser tattoo removal because of how it affects the pigment in your skin.  Melanin is the pigment in your skin.  It determines your skin, hair, and even eye color.  The more your skin is exposed to sunlight, the more melanin is produced, thus causing your skin to tan or burn.  If your skin is tanned or burned, it can be harder to remove a tattoo because the skin is more vulnerable and it is harder for the laser to break up the ink particles in the tattoo. 

Can I still successfully remove a tattoo after being in the sun? 

It is best to wait a few weeks after sun exposure, to have your tattoo removed.  If your skin is tan, or burned, it can be harder to remove and you could run into adverse effects like burning and scaring.  

Will laser tattoo removal be effective on tanned skin? 

Yes, however it may be more difficult and require more treatments to remove a tattoo from tanned skin. When your skin is tanned (a result of more melanin in your skin) it makes it harder for the laser to break the ink pigment up. Breaking the pigment up means needing more sessions to get the ink to redistribute through your bloodstream.

Can I go in the sun after treatment?

We highly recommend waiting at least 4 weeks before exposing your skin to the sun.  Because your skin is more vulnerable after laser treatment, we encourage our patients to cover up or use a sunscreen to avoid UV exposure or burning of the treated area.  

Is there a difference between sun exposure and a tanning bed?

It makes no difference – UV exposure, whether it is from the sun or from a tanning bed or sun lamp, increases the production of melanin in the skin.  UV exposure can make laser tattoo removal more difficult, and it also increases your risk of melanoma and other skin cancers.  

What will happen if my removal area is exposed to the sun. 

Perhaps nothing, but if you expose the vulnerable skin to the sun you are more at risk of burning or blistering that area, which could lead to scarring.  If you have completed your laser tattoo removal, or are in mid-treatment, and you are planning some time outdoors in the sun, we recommend using sunscreen to protect yourself from harmful UV rays.