Tattoo Removal
While laser tattoo removal is a safe and effective procedure for most people, it involves heat, light, and ink breakdown that could pose potential risks during pregnancy. As of 2026, there is not enough research to confirm whether laser tattoo removal is safe for you or your baby; but it is an important possibility to consider.
Many people consider removal during pregnancy for valid reasons like pausing a treatment they already started, or wanting a tattoo gone before maternity photos. However, safety should always come first.
This article breaks down the science of tattoo removal, the known and unknown risks during pregnancy, and provides answers to the most common questions people have regarding the topic.
Laser tattoo removal is a cosmetic procedure that involves multiple sessions of high-intensity laser exposure, and most healthcare professionals recommend avoiding unnecessary medical or cosmetic procedures during pregnancy.
Laser removal breaks down tattoo ink in the dermis so your immune system can discard the particles, eventually leading to your tattoo lightening over time. Pregnancy affects the immune system greatly, along with skin sensitivity and circulation; and we don’t fully understand how these changes interact with laser treatments yet.
Tattoo removal is also an investment, typically costing around $3,500 for a full removal. This might not be ideal while preparing for a new baby, even with monthly payment plans in place.
Due to a multitude of factors, there is not a lot of research about the effects of tattoo removal on pregnancy. We simply do not know the riskiness of getting a tattoo removed while being pregnant, but we can make some educated guesses based on bodily functions and how tattoo removal works. With safety in mind, you should ultimately wait until after you give birth to pursue tattoo removal.
No clinical studies have tested the effects of laser tattoo removal on pregnant people. Most cosmetic research excludes this population; therefore, the risks to both parent and fetus remain unstudied.
Getting a tattoo removed while pregnant could potentially expose you to a variety of chemicals and impurities commonly found in tattoo ink: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nickel, cobalt, and copper.
Normally, your immune system filters out all these potential toxins before the ink passes through your body for removal. However, there is limited research about what happens to these chemicals when you’re pregnant.
We remain unsure about ink particles crossing the fetal placental barrier, which primarily protects the fetus from harmful substances in the body. Chemicals within tattoo ink could negatively affect the expecting parent or baby, making tattoo removal highly discouraged for pregnant people.
Pregnancy causes the skin to be more sensitive, leaving soon-to-be parents vulnerable to common conditions like sunburn and skin pigmentation changes.
During pregnancy, you will be more reactive to all forms of light, including lasers that are used for tattoo removal. Extreme sensitivity could lead to scarring or skin discoloration that wouldn’t typically happen for a non-pregnant person.
Pregnancy causes people to be more susceptible to infection, which can create concern in regards to the safety of tattoo removal.
Though tattoo removal is extremely safe for most people, there is a small chance of developing an infection that must be treated with antibiotics. Some antibiotics can affect fetal development, making it difficult to treat if/when it occurs.
If your skin became infected because of laser tattoo removal, it would be challenging to treat it in a way that’s safe for you and your baby.
If you started your tattoo removal journey before pregnancy, it is no problem at all. You can pause your tattoo removal sessions until you’re ready to start them again without any adverse effects.
In some cases, people may undergo laser tattoo removal treatment while unknowingly pregnant. While this may cause deep concern, there is a low chance that tattoo removal will hurt your baby. If you are worried, consult your doctor to put your mind at ease.
Tattoo removal creams can be dangerous for everyone, pregnant or not. These creams are not effective for tattoo removal and actually cause damage to the skin more than anything else. Your tattoo might fade a bit, but you’ll be left with severe scarring.
These creams are also not approved by the FDA in any capacity and often contain chemicals like topical acids and preservatives.
Doctors do not recommend that breastfeeding parents undergo laser tattoo removal treatments due to the lack of research available. While it is unknown, other harmful chemicals and substances can easily transfer between parent and child through milk which could be a potential outcome for laser tattoo removal.
Given the risks and unknowns, we recommend waiting until after pregnancy to begin or resume laser tattoo removal.
Removery can help you plan ahead for your removal journey, even if it’s not happening anytime soon. Book a free consultation to discuss your goals, timing, and any concerns you may have.
We’re on a mission to give you the most straightforward, easy and efficient laser tattoo removal experience. Your estimate will be entirely bespoke to your tattoo; the size, the colours, the ink. It won’t take long and afterwards you’ll have a plan to finally get rid of your unwanted tattoo and get back to being you.
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