Protecting your skin between laser sessions is just as important as the treatment itself. Studio Kiku now carries two Mad Rabbit products formulated specifically for tattooed and post-treatment skin: the Defend SPF 30 Sunscreen and the Repair Soothing Gel. Both are available at the Vancouver, Langley, and Vaughan studios.
Mad Rabbit is a tattoo-focused skincare brand built around clean, vegan ingredients. The two products Studio Kiku now stocks address the two most common aftercare needs: soothing the skin right after a session and protecting it from the sun in between.
What the Defend SPF 30 Sunscreen does
Mad Rabbit's Defend is a daily, 100% mineral sunscreen designed to protect skin and tattoos from UVA and UVB damage. The formula includes antioxidants, vitamins, and moisturising botanicals, so skin feels soothed and nourished rather than stripped after application.
Mineral sunscreen works by physically deflecting UV rays rather than absorbing them chemically, which makes it a gentler choice for skin that is healing or has been recently treated. The formula is clean and vegan, and it absorbs without leaving a heavy residue.
Studio Kiku's aftercare protocol for laser facials, including PicoToning and Rejuvenation, calls for daily SPF 30 or higher as part of the healing routine. Defend meets that standard while also being gentle enough for tattooed areas clients are working to fade or maintain.
What the Repair Soothing Gel does
The Repair Soothing Gel is designed for skin that needs relief: after a laser session, after getting fresh work done, or any time the area is irritated and itchy. The cooling gel is petroleum-free, which means it lets the skin breathe while keeping the treatment area comfortable and hydrated.
Studio Kiku recommends the Mad Rabbit Soothing Gel as the preferred moisturiser during the first week of tattoo removal aftercare. The petroleum-free formula avoids sealing residual heat into the skin, which matters in the day or two after any laser session. The Soothing Gel is the team's recommended option for keeping the area comfortable once the skin has had time to settle.
Why sun protection matters so much after laser
Treated skin is vulnerable to UV exposure. Sun on a recently lasered area in the first weeks after a session can slow fading, cause uneven healing, and increase the risk of hyperpigmentation. Consistent sun protection between appointments is part of every Studio Kiku aftercare protocol.
"Sun and laser do not mix," says Billy DeCola, Studio Kiku founder. "Try to avoid that combination if possible."
The risk runs both directions. Tanned skin going into a session requires more conservative laser settings, which can slow results. Clients who keep the treatment area protected between appointments tend to see more predictable fading across the full course of sessions.
Defend SPF 30 makes that daily protection practical. A product formulated for sensitive and tattooed skin removes one variable from the healing process and helps clients stay consistent between visits.
The honest part
These products support healing and protect the skin, but they don't replace the full aftercare instructions the team provides at the end of every appointment.
The Soothing Gel is not for the day of treatment. The skin needs to stay cool and dry for the first 24 to 48 hours after a laser session, and ointments or moisturisers of any kind should wait until after the first wash the following day, once the heat from the session has had time to clear. The Soothing Gel is the right choice starting on day two.
Defend SPF 30 is an excellent daily sunscreen and should be part of the routine between sessions. The caveat: it isn't a substitute for avoiding direct sun on a recently treated area for the first two weeks. A mineral SPF worn daily, combined with covering the area when extended sun exposure is unavoidable, gives the skin the best foundation for healing cleanly.
The team at each studio stocks both products and can answer questions about when and how to use them as part of a post-treatment routine.
Available now at all three studios
Mad Rabbit Defend SPF 30 Sunscreen and Repair Soothing Gel are now in stock at Studio Kiku in Vancouver, Langley, and Vaughan. Both come in 100 mL bottles with clean and vegan formulas made in the USA.
Clients can pick them up at any appointment or ask about them during a consultation.
If you're considering laser tattoo removal or a laser facial and want to know how to care for your skin through the process, book a free consultation at any of Studio Kiku's three studios. The team will walk you through what to expect and which products fit your situation.
Thanks for reading.