Dr. Abdulaziz AlRashed — Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetic & Laser

Pigment & Tattoo Removal Laser – Aftercare

Last reviewed 1 July 2026 — Dr. Abdulaziz AlRashed

A patient advice sheet — 8 practical points. Reviewed and updated by Dr. Abdulaziz AlRashed, July 2026.

Last reviewed: July 2026

The advice

Right after: temporary whitening (frosting), then redness and swelling; treated spots then DARKEN over days and crust — this sequence is normal and expected.
Crusts fall on their own in 5–14 days (faster on the face): never pick or scratch them — picking causes scars and pigmentation.
Cool compresses the first hours, then Vaseline or the prescribed ointment with a plaster for tattoo sites; clean gently and dry — no alcohol or peroxide.
After tattoo laser blisters may form: do not pop large ones — come in so we manage them.
SPF 50+ and no direct sun on the area for at least 4 weeks — post-inflammatory pigmentation risk is higher in darker skin; no make-up over unhealed skin.
Avoid pools, sauna and sweaty exercise for 48 hours.
Sessions: freckles and sun spots often need 1–3; tattoos need many (6–12+, at 6–8 week intervals) and some colours are harder.
Temporary lightening or darkening of the treated skin can occur and usually settles over months.

See also the full treatment page: Pigment & vascular laser — options, evidence and expected timelines.

My private clinic at Kuwait Hospital (Sabah Al-Salem) — direct assessment and a treatment plan built around your case.