Laser Hair Removal and Tattoos: What You Need to Know
If you’re considering laser hair removal but have tattoos, you might be wondering how the two work together. At The Laser Base, we get asked about this all the time, so we’ve put together a simple guide to explain what’s possible, what’s not, and how we safely work around tattoos during treatment.
Can You Laser Over Tattoos?
In short, no – we cannot perform laser hair removal directly over a tattoo.
Laser hair removal works by targeting the pigment in the hair follicle. Our medical-grade laser emits light energy, which is absorbed by the melanin in the hair. Tattoos, however, are created using pigment in the skin.
If the laser hits tattoo pigment, it can cause:
Burning or blistering of the tattooed area
Skin damage or scarring
Fading, distortion, or “lifting” of the tattoo ink
To keep your skin safe and preserve the quality of your tattoos, we never laser directly over them.
How We Work Around Tattoos
At The Laser Base, your safety always comes first. If you’re having laser hair removal in an area where you have tattoos, we’ll:
1. Cover Tattoos with Protective Tattoo Tape
Before your treatment starts, we cover all tattoos in the area with a special, thick tattoo tape. This creates a protective barrier, preventing any laser energy from penetrating the tattooed skin.
2. Carefully Laser Around Tattoos
Our experienced technicians then work around the tattooed areas to treat the surrounding skin and hair safely.
3. Assess Suitability for Heavily Tattooed Areas
If the area you want treated is heavily tattooed — for example, a full sleeve, thigh, or chest — laser may not be the best option. If there’s very little untreated skin left, there’s simply not enough space for us to safely work around.
During your consultation, we’ll assess the area and give you honest advice on what’s possible.
Popular Areas & Tattoos
Here’s how we usually approach tattooed areas:
Legs & Arms: Small tattoos can be covered, but large pieces may make full coverage difficult.
Underarms: If tattoos extend across the entire underarm, laser may not be suitable.
Back & Chest: For large tattoo coverage, we may recommend alternative hair removal methods for that area.
Bikini & Hollywood: If tattoos are small and spaced out, we can usually work around them.
If You’re Planning a Tattoo
If you’re thinking about getting a tattoo in an area you want lasered, we always recommend completing your laser course first. Once tattooed, we won’t be able to treat that skin in the future.
Your Safety Comes First
Our technicians are fully trained to keep your skin protected at all times. If you have tattoos and are unsure about whether laser is right for you, we’ll talk everything through during your consultation and patch test.
📅 Book your consultation today and let’s create a safe, personalised treatment plan: http://phore.st/sSytA
