As you go through laser tattoo removal, maybe you’ll notice slight or distinct changes in the skin on or surrounding the target area. Though this looks alarming, you’ve really nothing to worry about, as changes in skin pigmentation are usual when tattoo removal is involved.

Sometimes dryness and crusting occur with scab formation, and this combination may convince you to scratch away. But nope, no scratching allowed.

Etiology

Skin discoloration is classified into 2: hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation.

In hyperpigmentation, you’ll notice patches of darkened skin—that is, skin that’s shades darker than your original color. In hypopigmentation, the opposite occurs. Patches of lightened skin appear, meaning it’s in a shade lighter than your skin tone.

These pigment-related changes happen due to the various light wavelengths present in laser. Laser doesn’t only dissolve the ink pigments in your skin but also affects your skin’s melanin production.

Melanin is a naturally occurring pigment found in both human and animal structures, like the skin and hair. With laser in the picture, your skin’s ability to create melanin either increases or decreases.

The higher the melanin content, the higher the likelihood of the skin experiencing adverse reactions to the procedure.

How to Deal

Hyper-pigmentation and hypo-pigmentation aren’t life-threatening, nor do they have a direct impact on your health. The discoloration can be quite bothersome to look at, but other than that, you’ve no cause for worry.

If the sight affects you a great deal, you can opt to use cosmetic products to even out your skin tone. The effects are temporary but will do in instances you think you need to cover up the different-hued patches.

Fortunately, these changes in skin color will eventually resolve on their own. Do note it can take months, sometimes even years, for your skin colour to return to normal. There have been instances too wherein the pigment change never did go away. However, most folks agree they’d rather deal with hyper- or hypopigmentation than.