Can You Get Laser Hair Removal Over Tattoos?

Start here: your real concern

Laser hair removal over tattoos is one of the most common questions clients ask when they want smooth, hair-free skin without damaging their ink. If you’ve invested in body art but also want the benefits of permanent hair reduction, it’s important to know how lasers interact with tattoos, the risks involved, and what safe alternatives exist.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, laser hair removal is safe and effective when performed by trained providers, but it should never be done directly over tattoos.

Quick answer

Laser hair removal should not be performed directly over a tattoo. The laser targets pigment; a tattoo is concentrated pigment. Hitting the tattoo can lead to fading, discomfort, and a higher risk of skin reactions. In the video, Kaitlin explains that going over a tattoo will fade it and feel more painful; the right approach is to work around the inked area.

(Kaitlin Knapp is a Licensed Esthetician on our team.)

Why tattoos and hair-removal lasers don’t mix

How laser hair removal works. The beam seeks out melanin (pigment) in hair follicles, heats it, and disables regrowth.
Why tattoos react. Tattoo ink is also pigment. The laser can mistake the tattoo for a giant “target,” absorbing energy in the ink instead of the hair. That can cause:

• Ink lightening or distortion of your design
• Increased pain at the tattooed spot
• A higher chance of blistering or textural changes on the tattooed skin

Bottom line: preserving your ink means avoiding direct passes over it.

Safe, practical game plan

Here’s how we keep you hair-free and protect your ink:

1. Map the boundaries. Your provider will outline the tattoo edges and set a no-laser zone.
2. Treat the surrounding hair. We clear everything around the artwork so you still see a big reduction in shaving or irritation nearby.
3. Micro-adjust handpiece angles. We feather treatments right up to the tattoo border without crossing it.
4. Consider alternate options for the tattooed patch itself. Depending on your skin and hair type, that might be regular shaving, trimming, or other non-laser methods for the small island of hair that remains over the ink.

What if you actually want the tattoo to fade?

That’s a different treatment with a different laser and settings, laser tattoo removal. At our Frankfort location, we use a Q-switched device with 532 nm and 1064 nm wavelengths; typical plans run 6-10 sessions every ~6 weeks, with simple aftercare and no heavy exercise or sun exposure for 48 hours.
(Ask about current pricing and promos on the site’s Specials page.)

Who you’ll meet at your visit

You’ll be guided by licensed clinicians who treat lasers with medical-grade protocols. This video features Kaitlin Knapp, Licensed Esthetician, part of our Express Med Spa team.

Step-by-step: your laser hair removal visit when you have tattoos

Before

• Share the exact location(s) of your tattoo(s).
• Shave 24 hours prior (unless we ask otherwise).
• Avoid sun and self-tanner on the area for 1–2 weeks.

During

• We cleanse, mark a safe perimeter, and confirm hair/skin type.
• We laser the non-tattooed zones, carefully working up to the border.
• Cooling and post-care are applied.

After

• Expect mild redness/warmth for a few hours.
• Keep the area cool, skip hot tubs/saunas for 24–48 hours.
• Use SPF on exposed skin daily (crucial around tattoo ink).

Alternatives and combos

• Keep the tattoo area hair-managed with shaving or trimming; most clients find it quick since the treated surroundings grow much less hair over time.
• Want the design gone? Start tattoo removal first, then resume hair-reduction around it—your provider will sequence both safely. (Frankfort offers tattoo removal; ask your coordinator.)

FAQs

Can you just turn the laser down and go over my tattoo?
No. Even low energies can be absorbed by ink and still fade or irritate the tattoo. The safest approach is to avoid the tattooed skin entirely.

Will working around the tattoo still help?
Yes. Most clients see a big reduction in shaving time because all surrounding hair is treated, leaving only a small “island” over the tattoo.

What about tiny tattoos or micro-ink?
We still avoid the pigment. Your provider will draw a precise no-laser box around even small designs.

How many hair-removal sessions will I need?
Most areas need a series (often 6–8+) since hair grows in cycles. Your plan depends on skin/hair type and the body area.

Can I remove a tattoo and then do laser hair removal over that spot later?
Yes—once the tattoo is cleared and your provider confirms the skin is fully healed, we can reassess that area for hair-removal candidacy. (Our Frankfort team can discuss courses, spacing, and aftercare for tattoo removal.)

SEO-friendly takeaways (for readers who found this via search)

• Primary topic: Laser hair removal near tattoos—safety and alternatives
• Related entities: Esthetician-led care, laser tattoo removal (Frankfort)
• Why Express Med Spa: Nurse practitioner-led medical spa with dedicated laser and skincare services; team profiles available on the site.

Ready to chat about your specific tattoo and treatment plan?

Book a quick consult and bring photos of your tattoo placement. We’ll map a safe route to smoother skin, without sacrificing your art.