THE DRYING PHASE (FIRST 48 HOURS):

• After your saline removal treatment, the area begins to dry out without weeping or bleeding. For the next 48 hours, avoid sweating, washing, or applying any skin creams. This allows the skin to dry fully, preventing irritation and inflammation while helping the lifted pigment to settle in the scab. This also improves the healing of any scarring.

• For lip liner treatments, minimize lip movement during this phase. Redness will fade within a few hours, but try to avoid touching the area unless your hands are extremely clean.

• Saline removal scabs often look like dried skin - don’t expect thick scabs. Following aftercare instructions is crucial to avoid complications.

THE SCAB PHASE (AFTER 48 HOURS):

• The area is now very dry, and a scab will form, possibly with visible pigment in it.

• Do not use products like vitamin E oil, tattoo aftercare ointments, or Aquaphor as these can interfere with healing. The scab must stay dry and intact to help draw out the pigment.

• You can gently wet the area when washing or showering but avoid rubbing or soaking it.

• Do not pick at the scab. If removed too early, the skin beneath could still be raw and vulnerable to infection.

THE HEALING PROCESS (POST-SCABBING & BETWEEN TREATMENTS):

• During the first 1-8 weeks, the area is still healing, and the skin may initially look clouded or milky due to the pigment fading. Once the scab falls off, treat the skin gently to avoid triggering over-healing, which can cause irritation.

• Avoid makeup, exfoliation, sun exposure, and skin creams with active ingredients that speed up skin turnover.

• No chemical peels or hot tubs should be used until at least 4-6 weeks after treatment. At that point, you can consider additional saline removal or lightening sessions.

THE REMOVAL PROCESS:

• Tattoo pigment removal is a gradual process that may take several sessions. After 3 treatments, we’ll have a better understanding of how the pigment is reacting and can plan for any follow-up procedures.

• Pigment may appear darker before it gets lighter as it is pushed up and out of the skin. Some colors, like brown, may reveal underlying tones such as red, yellow, or green as the removal process progresses.

THERE’S NO GUARANTEE:

• Tattoo removal is a variable process, and the number of sessions needed or the amount of pigment that can be removed cannot be predicted. Complete removal may not always be possible with either saline or laser removal.

• Not following aftercare instructions or advice can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment and may lead to complications like scarring, hyperpigmentation, or infection.