Treatment expectations

Does Drinking Water Help Laser Tattoo Removal?

The short answer

There is no research on it. Plenty of websites say it helps, but I could not find a study from a university or hospital that measured water intake against tattoo fading. Stay hydrated for your general health. Don’t expect it to take a session off.

Written by Daniel Mason, Level 4 Laser Technician at The Blackbird Wing

Published · Last reviewed · 2 min read

A glass of water on a wooden table in soft light

Search for this and you’ll find page after page saying water flushes the ink out. I went looking for the research behind that claim.

What I found

I could not find a study from a university or hospital that measured water intake against tattoo fading, or even against how fast the lymph system moves in a healthy adult.

The idea comes from the way ink leaves the skin. The laser breaks it up, and the pieces drain away through the lymph system.[1] Lymph is mostly water, so the reasoning goes that more water means faster drainage. It sounds right. I have not found it shown anywhere, and the pages that say it don’t cite anything either.

What I tell clients

  • General advice Keep well hydrated. It costs nothing, it’s good for you, and it’s in the aftercare sheet. Don’t expect it to take a session off.

If you want to put your effort somewhere with evidence behind it, smoking is the one lifestyle factor that has been measured in tattoo removal, and exercise at least has some physiology on its side.

References

  1. 1.Baranska A, Shawket A, Jouve M, et al.. Unveiling skin macrophage dynamics explains both tattoo persistence and strenuous removal. Journal of Experimental Medicine. 2018;215(4):1115–1133. doi:10.1084/jem.20171608A laboratory study in mice of how immune cells in the skin hold on to tattoo ink.
Daniel Mason

Daniel Mason

Level 4 Laser Technician · The Blackbird Wing

Daniel carries out every laser tattoo removal treatment at The Blackbird Wing in Lymington, on the edge of the New Forest.

This guide is general information to help you know what to expect. It is not medical advice, and it is no substitute for a consultation and patch test, where we look at your skin and your tattoo.

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