How long does swelling last after tattoo laser removal?

Author: Jeremie Connelly  |  Last update: Saturday, November 22, 2025

Your clinician will recommend a laser tattoo removal treatment schedule during your initial consultation. This recovery period will allow your skin to recover between sessions. You may experience side effects such as redness and mild swelling for up to 10 days post-treatment.

How long does it take for tattoo swelling to go down?

It's normal for a brand new tattoo to have some redness around it, and appear swollen for a day or two, especially if it's very large or in a sensitive area. But if the redness and swelling persists for more than a couple of days, or if it gets worse and begins to feel more tender, this could be a cause for concern.

What is not normal after laser tattoo removal?

You should call your doctor right away if you have swelling, redness, or pus after a laser treatment session. Tattoos that don't go away completely. It's unlikely that your tattoo will be completely removed. In many cases, certain colors may be more effectively removed than others.

What are the stages of healing after laser tattoo removal?

Day-by-Day Tattoo Removal Healing: A Comprehensive Guide
  • Day 1-3: Immediate Aftercare: The first few days post-tattoo removal are crucial for proper healing. ...
  • Day 4-7: Scabbing and Itching: As your skin heals, you may notice scabbing and itching. ...
  • Day 8-14: Healing Progress: ...
  • Day 15 and Beyond: Patience and Persistence:

How long after laser tattoo removal does it blister?

Blistering can occur from 8 hours after undergoing laser removal treatment. These are the aftercare instructions we suggest after each laser tattoo removal session: Apply ice packs to the treated area immediately to reduce discomfort, and elevate the area if possible.

How to Heal Blisters After Tattoo Laser Removal

How to reduce swelling after laser tattoo removal?

FOR SWELLING & BLISTERING
  1. Rest, ice and elevate the tattoo immediately following your treatment.
  2. Do not pop, scratch or peel any blisters—they will be reabsorbed on their own in 7-10 days.

How long does it take blisters to deflate?

If the blister is left unpopped, the body gradually absorbs the fluid as the underlying skin recovers. This can take around one week. Depending on the cause and location, a blister can range from the size of a pinprick to three centimetres or more in diameter.

How can I speed up the healing of laser tattoo removal?

Your post treatment efforts are as important a part of the process as the laser itself. Just by staying hydrated and keeping your immune system healthy, for example, you can speed up the process by several weeks. And by protecting your wound, you'll avoid opening the scab, which helps it heal without interruption.

How do I know if my laser tattoo removal is working?

Many people start to see their ink fade after three appointments. Given six to eight weeks between each session, you can expect the results to start showing a few months after the process starts.

How much water should you drink after laser tattoo removal?

Following on from the laser treatment, your daily intake of water should be a minimum of 8 to 10 glasses per day. The more water the better. Yes, it will make you run to the bathroom more often. That is EXACTLY what is required to maximise your tattoo fading.

Do you pee out ink after tattoo removal?

After lasers break up the ink, your body's immune system disperses it into your bloodstream, where it travels to your kidneys. Ink is then released through your urine and sweat. It doesn't change the color of your pee, but you shouldn't have too many tattoos removed at the same time either.

How to tell if laser tattoo removal is infected?

They should take note of the aftercare treatment and do it thoroughly. Neglecting to do so can cause adverse reactions. If patients notice prolonged red flare-ups and pain, or blisters oozing pus, there is a big chance that they have a laser tattoo removal infection.

What are the cons of laser tattoo removal?

Laser tattoo removal can leave behind skin that is lighter than the skin around it. Other risks include possible scarring, infection, pinpoint bleeding, redness, or soreness, none of which should last for long.

What helps reduce tattoo swelling?

If some swelling/redness is present the day after your tattoo, and it is uncomfortable or bothering you, it is appropriate to use ice (20 minutes) and/or an NSAID (ibuprofen, Advil, aleve, naproxen) to help bring the swelling down.

Does ibuprofen reduce tattoo swelling?

Take anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce pain and swelling. These include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). Read and follow all instructions on the label.

How long does swelling last after laser tattoo removal?

» Immediately after treatment there may be erythema (redness) and edema (swelling) at the treatment site. This usually lasts 2 hours or longer. They erythema may last up to 10 days. The treatment area may feel like a sunburn for a few hours after the treatment, but it will subside.

What not to do during laser tattoo removal?

Don't Pick at Healing Skin

You might see scabs or your skin peeling after the removal. Resist the urge to pick at it! Unlike pimple popping, your finger will do more damage to your skin and leave scars. It can also cause complications, such as an infection.

What should my tattoo look like after laser removal?

Tattoo appearance alters significantly after laser removal. Redness and swelling are common immediate reactions. The frosted appearance fades with time as healing occurs. Results vary based on skin type and tattoo characteristics.

Why hasn't my tattoo faded after laser removal?

Laser tattoo removal is a process that relies on the body eliminating ink from the skin which can take some time to process. While results will become apparent within a few weeks, it is not unusual for the body to take more than a year to completely eliminate ink.

How can I speed up my laser recovery?

Top 10 CO2 Laser Recovery Tips for Fast Recovery & Best Results
  1. Listen to Your Doctor's Advice. After your CO2 laser treatment, it's important to do what your doctor says. ...
  2. Keep Skin Moist. ...
  3. Stay Out of the Sun. ...
  4. Drink Lots of Water. ...
  5. Don't Pick Your Skin. ...
  6. Use Gentle Skin Products. ...
  7. Sleep with Your Head Up. ...
  8. Eat Healthy Foods.

Should I massage my tattoo after laser removal?

Gently massaging the treated area after laser tattoo removal can significantly enhance your results. It improves lymphatic drainage, promotes circulation, and reduces swelling, all of which aid in recovery and tattoo fading.

How long does blister swelling last?

Most blisters heal naturally after 3 to 7 days and don't need medical attention. It's important to avoid bursting the blister. This could lead to an infection or slow down the healing process. As new skin grows underneath the blister, your body slowly reabsorbs the fluid in the blister.

How to speed up blister healing?

Home care to make blisters heal faster includes:

Cover large blisters with a gauze pad taped in place. Cover blisters with a soft bandage and cushion to protect them if they are painful or in areas prone to bursting (such as the foot) Change bandages daily.

What does a septic blister look like?

the skin looks infected – it's hot and the blister is filled with green or yellow pus. the skin around the blister looks red, but this can be harder to see on brown or black skin.

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