What medications interfere with laser tattoo removal?

Author: Alicia Mayert  |  Last update: Thursday, July 10, 2025

Certain medications and illicit drugs can increase the skin's reactions to light. More than 400 drugs are known to cause photosensitivity and photo-allergic reaction, including many commonly prescribed antibiotics, antidepressants, antihistamines, birth control pills, diuretics and retinoids (e.g., Vitamin A acids).

Who cannot have laser tattoo removal?

Tattoo Removal Contraindications & After Care
  • CONTRAINDICATIONS.
  • Conditions that would mean you were not able to have this treatments:
  • Conditions affecting your Immune System.
  • Bleeding Abnormalities.
  • Blood Thinning Medication.
  • Skin Conditions.
  • Cancer treatment.
  • Other Conditions Where Fragmented Ink Particles Could Cause Harm.

What medications affect laser?

List of medications incompatible with laser depilation
  • Antibiotics: Tetracyclines. ...
  • Acne medications: Tretinoin.
  • Antidepressants: Amitriptyline. ...
  • Medications for hypertension: Hydrochlorothiazide. ...
  • Diabetes medications: ...
  • Topical or systemic corticosteroids: ...
  • Medications for skin pigmentation disorders: ...
  • Antipsychotics:

What speeds up laser tattoo removal?

Treating the tattoo with a fractional ablative laser, prior to treatment with the tattoo laser can also speed put the treatment process. The R-20 method, two treatments on the same day separated by 20 minutes, has also been shown to accelerate the laser tattoo removal process.

Who should not get laser tattoo removal?

“You wouldn't do it in areas where you have radiation or surgery,” Patel says. “You would want to avoid previously traumatized skin.”

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What medications should you avoid when laser tattoo removal?

Certain medications and illicit drugs can increase the skin's reactions to light. More than 400 drugs are known to cause photosensitivity and photo-allergic reaction, including many commonly prescribed antibiotics, antidepressants, antihistamines, birth control pills, diuretics and retinoids (e.g., Vitamin A acids).

Who is not a good candidate for laser tattoo removal?

Candidates with certain skin types, realistic expectations, and a desire for positive change tend to respond best to the procedure. On the other hand, individuals with specific medical conditions, active skin infections, or unrealistic expectations may not be ideal candidates.

Why is my tattoo not going away with laser?

There are plenty of possible reasons why a laser treatment can't get rid of the tattoo on the skin, but it's mostly because of the type of laser used and its wavelength. Other reasons might be the inexperienced laser technician and the age of the tattoo.

How to help laser tattoo removal be more effective?

5 Tips for Speeding Up Your Tattoo Removal
  1. Take Your Time. When you're in a hurry to abandon an unwanted tattoo, it's important to take your time between laser tattoo removal sessions. ...
  2. Wear Sunscreen. ...
  3. Sweat It Out. ...
  4. Quit Smoking. ...
  5. Follow Doctor's Orders. ...
  6. BONUS: Use The Describe Patch.

What are 5 factors that affect how a tattoo responds to laser removal?

Factors That Determine How Quickly A Tattoo Can Be Removed
  • Ink color: Typically green, blue, and black inks are easier to remove, while red, orange, yellow, and white inks are progressively more challenging. ...
  • Tattoo Age: ...
  • Tattoo Size: ...
  • Smoking: ...
  • Skin Color: ...
  • Tattoo Location. ...
  • Amount of Ink: ...
  • Scarring or tissue damage:

What drugs are photosensitive?

There are certain types of medicines that can cause sensitivity to the sun. Some of these include: Antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, levofloxacin, ofloxacin, tetracycline, trimethoprim) Antifungals (flucytosine, griseofulvin, voricanozole)

What to avoid when getting laser?

Do not exercise before the treatment. Avoid applying any products on areas of treatment, keep it dry and clean prior to treatment. Do not expose the skin to UV light (sunlight or sunbeds) or apply any self-tanning products for 8 weeks prior to treatment.

Can you get laser tattoo removal while on antibiotics?

Avoid treatment while taking antibiotics or if you have just finished a course of medication. In any case, be honest about your medical history and keep the laser treatment expert updated.

What are the problems with 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 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.

Who is not suitable for laser?

Certain conditions, such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), immunodeficiency states (e.g., HIV) and diabetes, and some medications (e.g., retinoic acid and steroids) may prevent proper healing after a refractive procedure. You actively participate in contact sports.

How can I maximize my tattoo removal results?

10 Best Ways to Improve Laser Tattoo Removal Process and Fading
  1. Treat your body like a temple.
  2. Avoid the sun.
  3. Stay hydrated.
  4. Stimulate with massage.
  5. Rest after every appointment.
  6. Stay on schedule.
  7. Avoid infection.
  8. Sleep properly.

Is Vaseline good for laser tattoo removal?

Avoid tight clothing that could rub against the tattoo. Avoid scratching or picking at the area. Avoid all irritating products such as hydrogen peroxide, Neosporin®, Polysporin®, Bacitracin®, Aloe Vera, or numbing agents (we recommend applying only Vaseline®, Aquaphor®, hydrocortisone 1%, and sunscreen as needed).

Why is my tattoo so dark after laser removal?

Essentially the laser breaks apart the larger ink particles into tiny fragments for your white blood cells to carry away through the lymphatic system. As the white blood cells are working to naturally remove the fragments, the tattoo can often look more vibrant due to there being more tiny particles in the dermis.

Is it possible for tattoo removal to not work?

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. Blue and black tattoos, for example, respond well to laser treatment. Colors like yellow, red, and white are harder to remove.

How can I speed up my laser tattoo removal?

You can take steps to strengthen your immune system so that it can do its job efficiently and get rid of ink particles quickly after each laser treatment.
  1. Refrain from smoking. ...
  2. Exercise regularly. ...
  3. Get enough rest. ...
  4. One way to increase blood flow to the tattoo area is to massage it gently. ...
  5. Drink a lot. ...
  6. Reduce stress.

What is the biggest concern with tattoo removal?

Risks. Scarring is likely after most types of tattoo removal. Infection or skin discoloration is possible as well.

What are the alternatives to laser tattoo removal?

Tattoo Removal Alternatives
  • Dermabrasion involves the process of sloughing away the top layers of skin to remove the pigment and skin effected and encourage new skin to grow. ...
  • Surgical Excision is the process of using a scalpel and cutting away a portion of one's skin to remove a tattoo.

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