One of the most common questions we hear from individuals considering tattoo removal is, “What is the best time of year for laser tattoo removal?” You may get responses like “now” or “sooner is better than later,” but in reality, we like to focus on the season. Believe it or not, you should schedule your tattoo removal in winter — winter is actually the best time to get most beauty and skin treatments done.
Generally speaking, it is best to start laser tattoo removal treatments sooner rather than later, and we don’t necessarily recommend waiting 9 months to get started, but winter is the easiest time of year to recover. Tattoo removal in winter gives you a good time frame for healing and is a time when inflammatory heat is absent. Here are a few more reasons why we think winter is the best time of year to get laser tattoo removal.
Reasons to Schedule Your Laser Tattoo Removal in Winter
Enjoy your fun in the sun
During your first visit, a professional medical laser technician will create a customized treatment plan for your specific skin type, color, and sensitivity level, but they will also tell you the importance of staying out of the sun for several weeks before and after each treatment. Tanned or burned skin can alter your laser tattoo removal results. For example, having a tan or sunburn will change the sensitivity to your skin, meaning you will more than likely experience irritation during and after your treatments. In addition, exposure to the sun increases your body’s melanin production, making your skin more susceptible to burns during laser tattoo removal. Exposure to the sun during the healing process in between treatments can also cause peeling and blistering, leading to scarring.
There is also a risk of hyperpigmentation which is the permanent removal of skin pigment. In order to prevent the risk of hyperpigmentation, it is important to avoid the sun for several weeks after a treatment to give the skin time to heal.
It is much easier to avoid the sun during the colder months because you are not spending as much time outdoors and your skin is almost completely covered when you are. When you choose to have your tattoo removed in the winter, you can rest easy knowing you will be able to fully enjoy your summer the way you want to and feel comfortable not forcibly covering up your freshly cleaned skin.
Hairy doesn’t have to be scary
After any laser tattoo removal session, the treated area of your skin will need time to heal, and it cannot be shaved, waxed, or even plucked. You should avoid hair removal methods as they can easily open up scabs and create blisters. This is yet another reason why winter is the best time of year for laser tattoo removal. Longer and warmer winter clothing will easily conceal treated areas, relieving any worries you might have about going “au naturel” while your skin heals. Letting your hair grow out in the winter is not a big deal, it’s just hair, after all.
Your progress will be more exciting to reveal
Before starting laser tattoo removal, always keep in mind that it is not just a one-time procedure. Your sessions will be determined by a professional during your initial consultation, but there is typically an 8- to 12-week interval between sessions.
During this time, your tattoo will begin fading steadily and may start to look spotty depending on your specific treatment plan, the ink colors in your tattoo, and the laser used during the procedure. Most people will cover up these treated areas anyway, especially if it’s visible on their bodies, but this becomes less of an issue during the winter months. Winter makes it easier to hide recently removed tattoos, and you don’t have to feel obligated to answer questions like, “What’s going on with your tattoo?” It’s like a caterpillar transformation in a way. After your laser tattoo removal in winter, you will be shedding your layers to reveal something new.
