Laser Hair removal & Tattoos?

Would there be a problem removing hair that grows over a Tattoo with a
hair removal laser?

On Jun 13, 4:08 pm, "Norm³" <Log...@Runs.net> wrote:
> Would there be a problem removing hair that grows over a Tattoo with a
> hair removal laser?

Hmmmmmmm. Ask strangers or ask the person who will be doing the work.

Kavin

Norm³ wrote:

> Would there be a problem
> removing hair that grows over
> a Tattoo with a hair removal laser?

Interesting question.

My first Google was 'laser hair removal':

http://www.consumerlaserguide.com/

"The absolute requirement is that one's hair must be darker than the
surrounding skin. Additionally very darkly pigmented people absorb too
much laser energy in their skin and are not ideal candidates. Tanned
patients with light hair are not candidates. Tanned patients with dark
hair should wait until their tan fades before they are treated." /copy
and paste

Tattooed people = "darkly (well, ink, right?) pigmented people"

Or, like tanned patients, uh, you could wait for your tattoo to fade
before you're treated?

(ducks and runs)

I'm convinced it's a bad idea from that sparse info, but, hey, why
not? My second Google was 'laser hair removal and tattoos':

http://tattoo.about.com/b/a/251287.htm

Discussion: Laser Hair Removal Over a Tattoo?
queeniebat writes: "I hate shaving...so I was thinking about laser
hair removal. Does anyone know how that might affect a tattoo? I
figure the lasers that break up the tattoo ink have to be pretty
intense, and I think the hair removal tattoos aren't that strong...Any
experiences anyone wants to share?"

Comments
When I got laser hair removal, the tech went over my tattoo by
accident. The laser made a very loud noise, and it was very painfull.
I had blisters coving the entire tattoo where the laser touched and my
tattoo has faded by at least 75%.

Comment by lauren - May 21, 2006 @ 10:23 am

I had a similar problem, the skin was burned, the part of the tattoo
is gone and the hair is till there and that was done by a doctor.
Untill now I´m still looking for answers, but nobody seems to know
anything about it, even the so called specialist can't give any
concrete information...

Comment by Karl - September 7, 2006 @ 7:57 pm

I just had a hair removal treatment the other day, and the technician
accidentally went over part of my tattoo. It was painful and there is
a blister over it. I am hoping that the tattoo isn't messed up, but
time will tell. The laser light is attracted to dark things (like your
hair) - so I'm figuring that the pigment in the tattoo attracts it
even more. I would advise against having it done over a tattoo. Hope
that helps!

Comment by Tina - September 25, 2006 @ 3:49 pm

I had laser hair removal one week ago today. My tatoo is totally
screwed up in two places where the tech zapped. She didn't mention
anything about problems with tatoos. The blisters popped and are
infected. The line of ink just lifts out of my skin. I will be
scarred.

Comment by Suzanne - November 12, 2006 @ 12:02 am

I just had it done yesterday, and the lady burned my tatoo! There is a
huge hole in my leg where my tatoo is (was?)
It hurts- it's blistered- and I'm wondering if anyone else had any
resolution with this situation.
The technician was totally careless. She is the one who told me,
during my first treatment that she couldn't use the laser near my
tatoo or this would happen, and then yesterday, she blatenlty lasered
right over my tatoo!!!!!!

Comment by sage - April 8, 2007 @ 2:29 am /copy and paste

So there you have it. It's not PubMed, but sage makes his opinion, uh,
blatenlty(?) obvious. The tech mighta blistered his brain, too.

--
Curt

On Jun 13, 4:08?pm, "Norm?" <Log...@Runs.net> wrote:
> Would there be a problem removinghairthat grows over a Tattoo with ahairremovallaser?


Yes. Hair removal lasers target pigment and would destroy your tattoo
and possibly burn your skin. Electrolysis is the only safe method to
permanently remove hair in a tattooed area.