Laser Free Removal Aftercare: First 2 Weeks of Do's & Don'ts
By KIS Laser Clinic | November 2, 2026
The #1 rule right after Laser Free Removal: keep the area clean, dry, and protected for the first 48 to 72 hours. No soaking, no heavy sweating, no makeup on the treated skin, and no sun. I’m big on simple steps you can actually follow, the same way my regulars appreciate being greeted with a smile and clear guidance when they’re in my studio in Arvada.
If you’re in West Arvada near Olde Town Arvada, you already know our sun is no joke. High elevation plus dry air can make healing skin feel tight fast, so aftercare isn’t “extra.” It’s how you protect your result. Laser Free Removal is a glycolic-based solution paired with a patented “liquid laser” technology that helps lift unwanted pigment without traditional lasers. Your job for the next two weeks is to let your skin do its part without interruptions.
I’ve also kept this guide friendly for real life. If you’re a commuter or a parent and you’re trying to plan around gym time, makeup, pools, and errands in Olde Town or the Arvada Center, the timeline below will help you keep downtime minimal without rushing the healing.
First 24 to 48 hours: the “keep it calm” plan
Right after Laser Free Removal, I want you thinking “calm and clean.” The treated area may look pink or feel warm, kind of like a mild sunburn. That’s common. What usually causes problems is friction, heat, and bacteria. So for the first two days, keep it simple.
Do this
- Clean gently with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and lukewarm water. Pat dry, don’t rub.
- Apply a very thin layer of a fragrance-free ointment (petrolatum or a balm I recommend). More is not better. A light protective layer is the goal.
- Wear loose, breathable clothing over the area if it’s on the body. Less friction means less irritation.
- Keep it out of the sun. In Arvada’s high-elevation sun, even a short drive with the window down can be enough to irritate healing skin.
Avoid this
- No soaking (baths, pools, hot tubs). Quick showers are usually fine, but don’t let water pound the area.
- No heavy sweating. Skip the gym, hot yoga, saunas, and long outdoor runs.
- No makeup, deodorant, or fragranced products on the treated skin. Fragrance and pigments are common irritants.
- Don’t pick or scrub. If it starts to flake or scab, let it do its thing.
If you’re squeezing your appointment in between errands near Olde Town Arvada, plan to go straight home after. You want that first evening to be boring. Clean, ointment, hands off, bed.
Days 3 to 7: what healing looks like, and what can mess it up
This is the week where people get tempted to “help” the skin along. I get it. You want the pigment gone yesterday. But the fastest way to slow things down is picking, over-washing, or jumping back into heat and sweat too soon.
Light scabbing or peeling can happen. That’s your cue to be gentle, not aggressive. Keep cleansing mild, keep your ointment layer thin, and keep your hands off the area. If it itches, that’s usually a sign it’s drying out or healing. Tap around it, don’t scratch it.
Arvada-specific tip: our dry climate makes healing skin feel tight sooner. If the area feels “crispy, ” you’re usually better off adding a little more moisture than scrubbing it clean five times a day.
When can I go back to normal life?
- Exercise: I generally recommend waiting at least a few days, and longer if you’re still red, tender, or open. Sweat plus friction is the combo we’re avoiding.
- Pools and hot tubs: hold off for the full first week at minimum. If the skin isn’t fully closed, keep waiting.
- Makeup and active skincare: keep it away from the treated spot until the surface is closed and calm.
One thing my long-time clients appreciate about me is that I’m easy to communicate with. If something feels off, I’d rather you reach out early than wait it out and hope. That’s how we keep results clean and stress low.
SPF after day 5 to 7: the step that protects tattoo removal progress
Once the skin has closed, often around day 5 to 7, sun protection becomes non-negotiable. For laser light tattoo removal and tattoo removal in general, UV exposure on healing skin can trigger irritation and pigment changes. In Arvada, that risk is higher because we’re at elevation.
My go-to protection plan
- Mineral SPF 30+ once the skin is closed (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide). Reapply if you’re outside.
- A physical barrier works great too, like clothing or a bandage that doesn’t rub.
- Skip tanning. Even “a little color” can set back your healing.
And yes, I know “SPF” shows up in every skincare blog. But for tattoo removal, it’s not a nice-to-have. It’s what keeps the area calm so the work you paid for stays on track.
Products I like for week 1 and week 2 (and what to pause)
You don’t need a medicine cabinet full of products. You need a gentle cleanser, a simple ointment, and patience.
Stick with
- Mild, fragrance-free cleanser and lukewarm water.
- Fragrance-free ointment that won’t clog pores. Petrolatum is a common option, or a balm I’ve recommended to you specifically.
- A clean, breathable cover if clothing rubs the spot.
Pause until fully healed
- Retinoids, acids, and exfoliants on the treated area.
- Scrubs, cleansing brushes, and rough washcloths.
- Heavily fragranced lotions or body sprays.
If you’re also someone who searches for facials near me or lashes near me, keep in mind that active products used in facials can be too much on a fresh removal site. Tell me what you have scheduled and I’ll help you space things out so your skin stays happy.
When to call me at KIS Laser Clinic (and what’s normal)
A little redness, warmth, tenderness, and mild flaking can be normal in the first week. What I don’t want you doing is guessing when something looks truly irritated. If you’re in Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Golden, Lakewood, Westminster, or Denver, I’m close enough for quick follow-up if we need to take a look.
Reach out the same day if you notice: increasing pain, spreading redness, yellow or green discharge, feverish heat coming off the area, or sudden pigment loss that looks unusual to you.
Got the membership and got everything lasered over the course of about 6 months! Super affordable, and they were very helpful with after care and suggestions for upkeep
one of our regulars
If you’re planning ahead and comparing tattoo removal options, I’m happy to talk through timing and what’s realistic for your skin. Price matters too, so I keep Laser Free Removal straightforward with pricing starting at $149.99. If you’ve also been searching for eyelash extensions or lash extensions near me, you can absolutely handle multiple services with me, we just schedule smart so your skin isn’t doing too much at once.
Need a quick aftercare check-in?
Call or email and tell me what day you’re on and what you’re seeing. A small adjustment early, like changing how you’re covering the area or what you’re putting on it, can save you a lot of frustration.
KIS Laser Clinic | 12500 W 58th Ave. #207, Arvada, CO 80002 | Call: +17207996818 | Email: kislaserclinic@gmail.com
Quick note: You might see search terms like laser tattoo removal, laser tattoo removal price, or laser tattoo removal cost online. Laser Free Removal is different because it doesn’t use a traditional laser, but the aftercare goals stay similar: protect the skin while it heals, and don’t rush the process.