The question often posed in clinic is ‘Can I have laser hair removal if I have tattoos?’ The answer is yes, but not in the exact same spot as the tattoo. The reasons can be found below.
How the laser treatment works
Laser hair removal uses selective photothermolysis, meaning a pulse of light from the laser is matched to the pigment (melanin) in your hair bulb. It heats to roughly 60–70 °C for a few milliseconds to stop future growth, and leaves the surrounding skin largely untouched.
The process targets something called a chromophore, – the part of a molecule or substance responsible for its colour. In the case of laser hair removal, the chromophore is the melanin in the hair that absorbs the laser energy.
Why tattoos alter the risk
Tattoo ink also acts as a chromophore. When the laser sweeps across pigment, the ink absorbs energy just as the hair would, creating rapid heat build-up. This absorption and heat generation is the reason the ink reacts to the laser, leading to the potential risks described below.
- Burns or blisters – dark or multi-coloured designs absorb more energy and can overheat quickly.
- Fading, darkening or distortion of the tattoo artwork – the heat can fragment or oxidise the ink particles.
- Post-inflammatory pigment changes in the surrounding skin – hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation may appear after a thermal injury.
Is it possible to use the laser directly over tattooed skin?
Practitioners should steer clear of tattooed areas wherever possible. A 2cm to 3 cm safety margin around each design stops stray energy from reaching the ink. Shielding options may be utilised, such as a white skin-marker pencil, zinc-oxide paste or an opaque adhesive patch to block the beam if your tattoo sits near the treatment zone.
The area directly above the ink will be skipped by the laser. You may need to keep shaving that strip or consider electrolysis (we offer this here at The Doctors Laser Clinic), which is colour-independent, to avoid the risk of burns or pigment. Large decorative pieces on the target site rule out laser hair removal.
