Is this 'brown smudge' that my tattoo turned into after my third laser removal session temporary? (laser used Q-Switched)

I had my 3 laser tattoo removal session before 2, 5 weeks, but unlike previous times, it hasn't been healed yet and it looks like a brown smudge. My doctor said that the laser had to go deeper this time so the burning was deeper. I'm scared, is it normal?

Answers from doctors (3)


We do not treat tattoos until 6 weeks or longer, as that is the typical healing time. You need to continue to massage the tattoo several times per day with a healing cream--we use Epionce Medical Barrier Cream--for a long time. Do not aggressively massage over the area.

The ink is pulled out by your body (macrophages). I am not sure what was mean by "going deeper." Tattoo lasers do not penetrate very deep. We increase energy as the tattoo fades, but not depth. There should be no burning. Be patient, massage regularly, and give the tattoo plenty of time to completely heal. The outcome may be just fine.

Answered by Clean Slate Tattoo Removal at Vein Specialties (View Profile)

We do not treat tattoos until 6 weeks or longer, as that is the typical healing time. You need to continue to massage the tattoo several times per day with a healing cream--we use Epionce Medical Barrier Cream--for a long time. Do not aggressively massage over the area.

The ink is pulled out by your body (macrophages). I am not sure what was mean by "going deeper." Tattoo lasers do not penetrate very deep. We increase energy as the tattoo fades, but not depth. There should be no burning. Be patient, massage regularly, and give the tattoo plenty of time to completely heal. The outcome may be just fine.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Brooklyn Laser Tattoo Removal, Inc.

Published on Feb 24, 2016

Sounds like there was not enough time between sessions. We like to wait 8 to 10 weeks between sessions, or more. You want to avoid treating before the inside damage has fully healed to prevent causing long-lasting damage. Lasers can go deeper by using a deeper wavelength or larger spot size.

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Answered by Brooklyn Laser Tattoo Removal, Inc.

Sounds like there was not enough time between sessions. We like to wait 8 to 10 weeks between sessions, or more. You want to avoid treating before the inside damage has fully healed to prevent causing long-lasting damage. Lasers can go deeper by using a deeper wavelength or larger spot size.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Change of Art Laser Tattoo Removal

Published on Jan 18, 2012

Yes, this "browning" is the normal degradation of black ink. As the ink breaks down, it will appear brownish and spread out a bit under the skin. In?the next few treatments you should see that brown color fade away, leaving your natural skin tone. I recommend waiting at least 8 weeks between treatments; stacking them too close together brings a greater risk of hypopigmentation and other undesirable outcomes.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/6585_1437713802.jpg
Answered by Change of Art Laser Tattoo Removal

Yes, this "browning" is the normal degradation of black ink. As the ink breaks down, it will appear brownish and spread out a bit under the skin. In?the next few treatments you should see that brown color fade away, leaving your natural skin tone. I recommend waiting at least 8 weeks between treatments; stacking them too close together brings a greater risk of hypopigmentation and other undesirable outcomes.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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