Ever stayed under the sun for so long you got a sunburn and formed blisters? Well, if you have your tattoo erased through laser, expect to go through that same sensation all over again.

Etiology

In the tattoo-removal process, the intense heat in the laser causes the ink pigments to disintegrate. When this happens, the surrounding blood vessels break, resulting in the formation of superficial blisters.

Often, these blisters are made up of water and tattoo ink. They’re quite painful, but they tell you the healing process has kicked in.

How to Deal

When dealing with blisters, there is one cardinal rule: never pop them! They serve to protect your skin from infection, and with proper care, they’ll disappear completely sans complications.

For intact blisters, leave them as they are. For cracked blisters, cover them loosely with a bandage, making sure the surface of the bandage hovers a few millimeters above the wound.

Religiously apply antibacterial ointment to the affected area (especially for open blisters). Refrain from touching them directly with your hand. Limit physical activity to keep sweating to a minimum.

Also, be on the lookout for signs of infection. These include fever, pus-filled blisters, and enlarged lymph nodes. If these are present, contact your doctor immediately.