SIDE EFFECTS OF TATTOO REMOVAL

As the leading authority on tattoo removal I'm often asked about the side effects associated with the procedure. There is a fine line between expected unwanted side effects and true adverse events and patients often confuse the two. Expected side effects include pain, swelling, redness and occasionally blisters. We also see prolonged healing, temporary skin discoloration and some crusting at times as well. That said, we expect to see these types of reactions and inform the patients that they should be prepared to experience these things. True adverse events associated with tattoo removal are much more rare and include bacterial infections, giant blisters, permanent discoloration and scarring. the likelihood of having a true adverse event is less than one percent when treated properly. Thus, tattoo removal is considered a very safe procedure and is the gold standard means by which to removal a tattoo.