How to prepare for your laser treatment

We get it—laser tattoo removal isn’t exactly a walk in the park. But at LaserTat, we’ve been perfecting the art of tattoo removal since 2012. With over a decade of experience, we know how to make your treatment as comfortable and effective as possible. A little preparation goes a long way, so here are our top tips to help you get ready for your session:

1. Fuel and Hydrate Your Body

A light snack and plenty of water before your session can make a world of difference. Eating a little something helps prevent light-headedness during the session, and staying hydrated supports your body’s healing process. Proper hydration also aids your lymphatic system in flushing out ink particles. Avoid alcohol and caffeine as they can dehydrate you and slow healing.

2. Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep is crucial for your body’s recovery and regeneration processes. Make sure you get a solid 8 hours before and after your laser treatment to help your body heal and expel ink particles more effectively.

3. Prepare the Treatment Area

For the best laser results, please shave the area being treated the night before or on the morning of your appointment. If you’re using numbing cream, shave first to ensure proper absorption. Apply the cream 2 hours before your session, wrap it in glad wrap, and arrive with it on—we’ll clean it off before starting.

Don’t worry if you forget to shave—we can take care of it at your appointment.

4. Health Considerations

If you’re feeling unwell—whether it’s a cold, flu, cold sore, or any other illness—it’s better to reschedule. Your immune system needs to be at full capacity to effectively expel ink particles.

Also, please let us know if you’ve started any new medications or have developed new medical conditions. This helps us tailor your treatment for your safety.

5. Protect Your Skin

For at least 24-48 hours before your appointment, avoid self-tanners, perfumes, lotions, deodorants, exfoliants, and retinoids, as they can increase sensitivity or cause irritation during laser treatment.

Additionally, avoid direct sunlight on the area before and after your session:

• Before Treatment: Sunburnt skin cannot be treated with laser.

• After Treatment: Keep the area out of direct sunlight while healing and use sunscreen between treatments to protect the skin from getting sunburnt. Plan your sessions around outdoor activities to avoid complications.

6. Timing Matters for EVERYONE

We understand that timing can make a big difference, especially during your menstrual cycle. During this time, pain sensitivity can be heightened, which may make treatments feel more intense. If you're concerned, feel free to let us know—we’re happy to reschedule to a more comfortable time for you.

7. Choose Loose-Fitting Clothing

After your treatment, the area can be sensitive, and tight clothing can cause irritation and friction. Opt for comfy, loose-fitting clothes to keep the area comfortable post-treatment.

8. Plan for Aftercare

After your treatment, your skin will need some extra TLC. To make your recovery as smooth as possible:

• Have ice packs or a cold compress ready at home to soothe the area.

• Stock up on fragrance-free moisturizers and healing balms like Aquaphor or Bepanthen.

• Wear sun-protective clothing or use a high-SPF sunscreen on the treated area once healed.

We’ll give you detailed aftercare instructions, but a little prep goes a long way!

9. Arrive a Little Early

Arriving about 10 minutes before your appointment gives you time to fill out any paperwork, ask questions, and relax before your session starts. It also ensures that you don’t feel rushed, which can help with any pre-treatment nerves.

10. Don’t Hesitate to Ask Questions

Laser tattoo removal is a journey, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to us via email at info@lasertat.com.au or call/SMS at 0421 132 734. We’re always here to help!

Ready for Your Session?

Preparing well for your laser tattoo removal session can make the process smoother and more effective. At LaserTat, we’re committed to providing the best experience possible. We look forward to seeing you at your next appointment!

What is the most effective laser for tattoo removal?

It’s important to know that different ink colours require different laser wavelengths to target and shatter the ink particles. This is the basic principle behind effective laser tattoo removal. A milti-coloured tattoo requires multiple wavelengths to target each colour.

Finding out which wavelength is right for your specific tattoo is a very important factor to consider when researching a tattoo removal clinic. The capabilities of each wavelength are different, and it's important your laser clinic has the tools to treat your tattoo in the most effective way. 

Now, before we lose you amongst all the scientific stuff, let’s break these wavelengths down:

Black ink can be treated with either 1064nm & 755nm

Red, orange, yellow & pink ink require 532nm

Green, blue, purple ink require 755nm

*The number sequence indicates where this wavelength sits on the light spectrum

*nm stands for Nanometers, a unit of measurement  

The quality of a laser machine plays a huge part in its effectiveness and safety of a laser treatment. A great quality machine will reduce the risk of scarring and damage caused to the skin whilst optimizing results. Our choice of laser technology for the past decade is hands down Cynosure. Cynosure is one of the world’s most trusted manufactures of medical grade lasers.

Our super artillery consists of the following lasers:

• Cynosure MedliteC6, a Q-Switch laser we predominantly use to target heavy and deep black ink using the 1064nm wavelength and red, orange, yellow and pink ink by using its 532nm wavelength.

• For green, blue and purple ink we bust out our Cynosure PicoSure laser using the 755nm wavelength. This wavelength is also proving effective on removing stubborn black ink as it has the ability to shatter ink particles even smaller making them easier for our body’s immune system to remove.  

LaserTat is the ONLY clinic in South Australia who offer both laser machines which allows us to treat every single colour at maximum effectiveness.

So in summary – the best laser for treating your tattoo all comes down to what colours of ink you have and the quality of laser machine. The best lasers are always FDA approved and come from quality manufactures with proven results.

You can check out our laser results by clicking here.

Committing to a laser tattoo removal journey can be a long one and often expensive. We’ll leave you with this last piece of advice:
Research, research, research!!