Tattoo Removal Contraindications & After Care

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CONTRAINDICATIONS

Unfortunately, not all treatments are for everyone. Please check our contraindications list to make sure you avoid disappointment.

 

Conditions that would mean you were not able to have this treatment:

 

Conditions affecting your Immune System

• Previous Tattoo Removal Allergic Reaction

• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) an autoimmune disease often referred to simply as “Lupus”.

• Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis especially if treated with “Gold Injections” or Methotrexate

• Any other known auto-immune disorder

• Any other disease affecting your immune function e.g. following removal of your Spleen

• Liver disease such as Hepatitis A, B, C

• HIV

Bleeding Abnormalities

• Haemophilia, Von Willibrands Disease, Thrombocytopenia

Blood Thinning Medication

• Anticoagulants such as Warfarin, Heparin, Clexane Or Dabigatron

• High doses of Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac (NB Prophylactic slow release Aspirin at 75 mg day or less is acceptable)

Skin Conditions

• Prone to Keloid or very thick scarring

• Vitiligo or any other skin pigmentation problem

• Psoriasis or eczema (on treatment area)

Cancer treatment

• Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) for Cancer

• Chemotherapy/Radiotherapy for Cancer, Leukaemia, Myeloma or Lymphoma

Other Conditions Where Fragmented Ink Particles Could Cause Harm

• Currently Pregnant

• Breast Feeding

• Acute or Chronic Kidney Disease

• Type 1 Diabetes & type 2 when on medication

• Implants / Metal Plates/ or Pacemakers

 

Conditions that need a doctor’s letter to confirm the treatment is suitable before treatments can begin:

• Epilepsy

• Transplant Anti-Rejection Drugs

• Thyroid Disease

• Heart Disease

• Hypertension (High blood pressure treated with medication)

• Cancer - after 12 months

 

The list below is of things that require a waiting period until you can start treatments:

• Active Herpes simplex (Cold Sores) - wait 2 weeks until its healed and use antiviral medication a few days before and continue a week after treatment

• Acute fungal infections - Wait until the condition has cleared until having your treatment

• UV exposure from sunbathing or sunbeds - wait 4 weeks before starting your treatment and please note you cannot sunbath or go on a sunbed during your course of treatment.

• Chemical Peel, Microdermabrasion or Radio Frequency - wait 4 weeks before starting treatments and do not have in the area during your treatment course.

• Medical Chemical Peels, Dermabrasion, Laser Skin Resurfacing or Face Lift at site of treatment - wait 6 months before starting treatments and do not have in the area during your treatment course.

 

Drugs & Herbal Remedies

• Feverfew or St John’s Wort - both of these herbs are photosensitising. Stop taking the preparation and wait 4 weeks for the herb to be completely cleared from your system before treatment - otherwise your skin may be burned during treatment.

• Over the counter pain relief e.g. non-steroidal.

Anti-inflammatory/pain relief drugs such as Ibuprofen and/or Aspirin these must be allowed to clear from your system before any treatment – delay of one to two weeks before treatment begins.

• Prescribed a drug for a short term (course of less than six weeks) by your GP/Hospital. The course should be finished and wait at least a further six weeks for any drug to be completely excreted from your system before having treatment. (Notable drugs that can cause problems during laser are Tetracycline antibiotics and steroids)

• Prescribed a long term drug (a course lasting longer than 6 weeks) by your GP/Hospital

Refer back to the prescribing doctor for a letter of authorisation for the treatment to go ahead. Notable long term drugs that can cause problems are Ro-Acutane used in Acne treatments (specifically listed on Medical History form), Minocin which is an antibiotic (frequently used in long term Acne therapy) and Amioderone a drug used in Cardiology.

 

BEFORE & AFTERCARE

 

Before your treatment:

• No sun-tanning or self-tanners 4 weeks prior to treatment - this includes spray tans, tanning lotions, tanning beds, sun exposure, etc.

• Avoid treatments that may irritate the skin for 1-2 weeks prior to treatment (waxing, depilatories, etc.)

• Notify Majiki with any changes to your health history or medications since your last appointment.

• History of herpes or cold sores may require an anti-viral prescription prior to treatment if treating in the area that breakouts occur.

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After your treatment:

• A cold compress will help reduce any swelling and take the “sting” out of the treated area.

• A soothing cream/lotion such as Aloe Vera may be applied to the treated area immediately after treatment.

• To avoid snagging on clothing, a sterile dressing may be applied to the treated area – but (if used) this should be changed every day.

• Keep the treated area away from strong sunlight for a few weeks or use a sun protective cream; at least SP30. This prevents over treating the skin’s natural melanin.

• The most important consideration is that the treated area should be kept clean and dry but avoid very hot baths and showers. Use warm water and pat dry – do not rub.

• Under no circumstances should you “pick” at the blisters. These should be allowed to heal and flake away naturally.

• If discoloured (honey coloured) oozing of the treated area takes place, an antiseptic cream should be applied.

• If after 2 days there is still honey coloured pus – you should seek medical attention / antibiotic treatment.

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Before you start the process, it’s important to realise that no tattoo removal is guaranteed. Set expectations by speaking with your laser treatment expert. Some tattoos only partially fade after several treatments and may leave behind a ghost image or permanent raised scarring - more common in dark skin tones. So the question is: would you be happy to do a cover-up, or be left with a ghost image or partial tattoo if complete removal is not possible?

 

It’s not a one-and-done treatment

In just about every tattoo removal case, multiple treatments will be required. Unfortunately, the number of sessions isn’t something that can be predetermined during your initial consultation. Be cautious if you've been given a standard answer of 6 to 10 treatments, since that number could be much higher. It is difficult to estimate the number of laser tattoo removal treatment sessions required, due to the many factors that are involved with the procedure. The age of the tattoo, the size of the piece, and the colours and the types of ink used all impact the overall response to treatment and can influence how many total sessions are required.

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Downtime between treatments is another key factor. Getting a laser treatment again too soon can increase the risk of side effects, like skin irritation and open wounds. The average time between sessions is 6 to 12 weeks, meaning that it can take up to two years to remove a tattoo.