Seeing your tattoo not coming out as per your expectations is incredibly disappointing. At this point, you might not have an idea about how to get rid of an unattractive tattoo design. The waste of time, money, and effort also become a matter of concern and you may think to compromise on the situation. It is true that accepting an unwanted tattoo is a tough nut to crack. Because it was meant to be flaunted, however, you would need to hide it now.
Laser Tattoo Removal: What to Know
How It Works
Lasers remove tattoos by breaking up the pigment colors with a high-intensity light beam. Black tattoo pigment absorbs all laser wavelengths, making it the easiest color to treat. Other colors can only be treated by selected lasers based upon the pigment color.
You should first schedule a consultation with a trained professional who can evaluate your tattoo and advise you on the process. The number of treatments you will need will depend on the age, size, and color(s) of your tattoo. The color of your skin, as well as how deep the tattoo pigment goes, will also affect the removal technique.
In general, this is what you should expect during a laser tattoo removal session:
You’ll be given a pair of protective eye shields. The technician will test your skin's reaction to the laser to determine the most effective energy for treatment. The technician uses the laser to pass pulses of intense light through the top layers of your skin that will be absorbed by the tattoo pigment only.
Smaller tattoos will require fewer pulses while larger ones will need more to remove them. In either case to completely get rid of a tattoo, it will take several treatments. After each visit, your tattoo should become progressively lighter.
Laser tattoo removal is uncomfortable, but most patients don’t need anesthesia depending on the location of your tattoo, you may want to apply a topical anesthesia cream beforehand. Trying to remove every trace of a tattoo is time consuming, expensive, and inconsistent. If you choose top of the line laser tattoo removal, be prepared to spend thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars, undergo between 12 to 15 sessions, and wait between 1.5 to 2.5 years to even get close to your desired results. Even after enduring all of these steps, there is no guarantee your tattoo will be removed. There often remains a dim trace of a tattoo no matter how many laser tattoo removal treatments you undergo.
But is laser removal your only option?
Have you ever considered a cover-up tattoo? since it’s the most consistent way to make sure your old tattoo is not visible. A cover-up tattoo can be done over an existing tattoo of virtually any size, design, and color, although certain designs and colors lend themselves more to a cover-up tattoo. A skilled tattoo artist can cover-up almost any tattoo and leave you with new ink that you’ll want to show off, not conceal.
How a cover up tattoo works!
The term “cover-up tattoo,” is a bit of a misnomer, although it communicates the idea of what a cover-up tattoo does. “Cover-up” suggests that the new ink is inserted above the old ink, hiding it from view. However; the ink of a tattoo does not function like paint on a canvas, where successive layers can conceal color. Instead, a tattoo artist combines a particular set of skills including blending color, shading, detailing, and depth of color to produce a cover-up tattoo. The skills required for successful cover-up tattoos are commonly seen in other tattoo styles, especially in water color tattoos where colors need to be blended together.
Can any tattoo be covered up?
Your answer is yes. Any tattoo can be covered up, although it might need to be faded with laser tattoo removal first (usually only 2-3 sessions required). Even if you have a large, solid black tattoo, a good cover-up tattoo artist will work with you to create a strategy for covering it with a new design you can get excited about. However, there are limits if you don’t get the original tattoo faded beforehand. No matter how good the artist is, they won’t be able to cover up a large tattoo in the shape of a black box with a smaller butterfly tattoo.
Some tattoos lend themselves more to a cover-up than others, but something can be done to improve the aesthetics of almost any tattoo.
Does the cover up have to be only in black and white or can it be in color?
When an artist is working to conceal a tattoo, the focus is usually on the color of an old tattoo and how to incorporate it into new ink. Certified tattoo artists begin working after chalking out a strategy to place the new design and color cautiously on the previous tattoo. Not to mention, cover-up will allow showcasing your tattoo in public.
Colors Use to Conceal a Tattoo
It is true that most of the tattoo lovers like the design but struggle with its color. Choosing the right color palette can be confusing due to plenty of light and dark shades. People who only want to change the color think there are no options available in this context. Contrary to this, you can always go to your cover-up tattoo artist just to fix the shades of your tattoo. It seems a risky task but a certified artist can manage it singlehandedly. Plus you should learn that not every shade can turn to a new color. However, there is the possibility of transforming lighter hues into the dark, such as:
-You can turn red to brown
-Pink blends in well with magenta
-Blue mixes with purple
-You can always change yellow to green
Although redoing an old tattoo can become a pain in the neck, sufferers of a horrible tattoo experience prefer to give it a chance. If you are the one, learning about the colors use in rework seems a wise idea. It will also help make a decision. Black is a standard color each tattoo artist uses in the cover-ups. You can also find oranges, greens, blues, magentas, and browns when it comes to camouflage. Dark shades of the same color can cover up your tattoo in no time. New inks when combined with old tattoo ink create a brand-new color. You can also see the artist experimenting with the colors and clever placement of the design to hide the design of an unwanted tattoo. Using light shades has also become a common practice to cover the uneven strokes of your old tattoo. You will be pleasantly surprised to find that your tattoo artist can replace light blue with royal blue or purple or lime green with emerald green in no time.
The process is pretty much like any other tattoo: you find a design, talk it over with the artist and book your appointment. The real difference comes with the choice of designs you may have; depending on what you’re getting covered certain images may not fit. It’s really a matter of finding what works best with the existing tattoos lines, shapes, colors, even the area where it is placed. A good tattooist will want to make sure that their cover up will not only flow well with the curves of your body but will also be sure to leave as little trace as possible of the previous ink. The same can be said of scars; if you’re okay with some of them showing or not being covered fully, any design will do, but if you’d like them completely camouflaged, it’s best to get creative. When getting a cover up tattoo, you may have to accept that your initial idea may not work, but with perseverance, and the right tattoo artist, an awesome design will come!
Choosing an Artist
This is the most important step! Seriously! Cover up tattoos are definitely something that some artists specialize in because they take much more thought and care. It’s important that you find someone you trust, can easily communicate with, and who knows what they are doing. We want you to have an awesome experience that allows you to finally break free from bad ink or scarring, and that totally starts with finding an incredible tattooist. You want to find someone who not only does a style you admire, but is also comfortable, and hopefully has experience, with cover up tattoos. Your selected artist should make sure that the delicate process of covering old ink is smooth and joyful. you can simply ask your favorite studio or tattooist whether this is something they can do. This is the first, and most important step in your transformative journey, so be sure to take your time until you find a good fit!
After you find the perfect artist for your cover up, this is how you go about it.
Book A Consultation with Your Artist
Get together with your chosen tattoo artist to start planning the tattoo and settle on a design. Ask which ideas will work best for cover up. Work together to find a design that you like which is suitable for a coverup. Listen to your artist when they provide feedback. If they think that a certain design is not possible, it’s based on their experience and expertise.
Be Flexible
It’s your tattoo, so be firm about what you want and don’t take decisions lightly. However, if you picked an artist you trust and you’ve seen a portfolio which suggests they are capable, don’t demand that things be done your way. An artist will tell you what they can and cannot do, depending on the scale of the cover up. You may find solutions to some of the obstacles they note – for example fading a tattoo with laser tattoo removal – but keep an open mind and don’t consider the project a failure if every detail isn’t exactly as you imagined.
Getting overly fixated on one detail and not being open to suggestions could leave you with a tattoo you aren’t happy with. Establish realistic expectations before getting the cover-up tattoo.
If you’ve chosen a good artist, their priority will be your satisfaction, not their artistic vision. Your artist will tell you the limitations caused by the existing tattoo design. The reality is that artists are limited in what they can do because they aren’t working with a blank canvas.
You can still have a fantastic tattoo that you love even if every single aspect of the design isn’t done exactly according to your specifications.
Trust Your Tattoo Artist
Tattoo artists spend years perfecting their craft. If you can’t trust them to realize your vision, you’ll never be satisfied. Some doubt is natural, even healthy, but you have to trust your tattoo artist if the two of you are going to successfully collaborate and produce an incredible cover-up tattoo.
Work with your tattoo artist to choose a tattoo design which will work well as a cover-up. Although every tattoo is different, there are a few consistent design considerations which will help ensure your cover-up tattoo looks great with minimal or no touch-ups.
Choose a design with plenty of thick, dark colors, shading, and plenty of fine detail. It’s easier to conceal an existing tattoo by covering it with an intricate design because it gives the artist options for covering up the tattoo.
What to expect from a cover-up
Things to Remember before Opting for a Cover-up Tattoo. Covering up your mess with a new design seems a smart option. We suggest taking note of certain pointers to get the desired outcome.
Tattoo Size
The new or cover up design will always be bigger in size. There are possibilities that you will not get the size as per your choice. However, with the big portrait of a dainty tribal design, you will have an opportunity to hide an unattractive design completely.
It would not be wrong to state that bigger designs allow you to go for drastic style and images. If you are still unsure about inking the large area of your skin, do not hesitate to discuss it with your artist to find the top-notch design.
Dark Color Might See-Through
If your old tattoo is dark, cover-up ink might see-through it. In most cases, tattoo artist uses excess dark ink to achieve the effect they want. Inks like blue or black will appear on the cover-up tattoo as compared to the shades of white or yellow. It is worth noting that using light color with high density can create a significant effect on the cover-up tattoo.
Tips to Maintain your Cover-up Tattoo
Redo or rework may seem a fantastic way to get rid of embracing tattoo design, but it comes with various risks. Tattoo artists reveal that around 77% of people decide to conceal their old tattoo for several reasons including an unattractive outcome. Deciding which part of your body should get a tattoo, style, type, or color beforehand can save you from the hassle. Moreover, once you conceal your previous tattoo, it is necessary to take extra care of it to boost the healing process.
Here is what you can do!
Listen to your Tattoo Artist
You can take extra care of your redone cover-up tattoo via following the artist’s advice. Try to follow each step of the instructions not only to heal the tattoo faster but to avoid bacterial infection as well.
Avoid Wiping your Tattoo
It is common for a cover-up tattoo to itch when you take a bath or shower. If you feel itch (even the intense one), do not wipe with the regular towel. Wiping your newly concealed tattoo with a towel will tear the treated skin. Try to pat your skin using a tissue, soft cloth, or let air dry it.
How to Deal with Itchiness
After a day or two, expect a thin layer to peel off from the tattoo. This procedure will make your skin itchy. Tattoo artists strictly prohibited to scratch your tattoo in this condition. You should use baby oil or milk cream instead. These products will not only keep your tattoo moist but relief your itch instantly.
Use only Antibacterial Soap
Concealing a tattoo is quite similar to getting a new one when it comes to taking care of it. You should only use antibacterial soap to prevent bacteria from entering the wound. Using a regular soap in this context cannot stop bacterial infection which leads to a serious of problems associated with skin.
Wash your Tattoo after a Few Hours
Your tattoo needs to stay clean 24/7. So, when you remove the bandage, it is time to give your tattoo a good rinse. Use only lukewarm water and prescribed products to avoid any adverse effects.
Avoid Scab Formation
Dabbing your redone tattoo with a soft cloth will not dry it completely. That is why patting is recommended as it keeps your tattoo moist. If you dry out the tattoo, scabs will develop on it and take excess time to peel off.
Use Moisturize
Tattoo artists recommend keeping your tattoo moisturized. Despite that, you should not go overboard when moisturizing the newly concealed tattoo. It needs to breathe to heal adequately and on time.
Avoid Excess Water
You need to control the pool and sauna until the concealed tattoo heals. Moreover, avoid soaking yourself in the pools or baths as it may cause infection on the treated skin. You should opt for warm showers to speed up the healing time but be sure not to spend more than 15 minutes in the shower.
Avoid Sunlight
Sunlight causes incurable damages to your tattooed skin. So, not exposing it to the sun seems a smart idea. Try to stay indoors as much as possible. Various tattoo artists agreed on the fact that ultraviolet (UV) rays hinder the tattoo healing process.
Be Patient with Healing
Your camouflaged tattoo cannot heal overnight. It solely based on the factors like size and design. Simple style or type usually takes a week whereas complex design with plenty of details may take several months to heal. You need to follow instructions carefully during the healing time to get keep adverse effects at bay.
Go for Touch-ups
If your tattoo loses ink after a day or two, contact your tattoo artist immediately. The studio should do it for free if it happened within a few days. Touch-up is necessary to retain the freshness of your tattoo. You can even go after weeks or months to enhance the colors and design.
Does a Cover-up Tattoo Fade?
Just like you get a tattoo for the first time and it fades after some time, cover up loses the shine and color as well. Various people reveal that their cover-up tattoo does not look striking and fresh like it does months ago – this occurs due to fading. Moreover, the colorful cover-up tattoos are prone to fading. If you do not take good care, these colors will fade quickly. Tattoo artists recommend light shades like lime green and pink tend to fade faster than the purple, black, and royal blue.
People who have opted for watercolors and pastel encounter the similar problem as well. You need to remain cautious for shades like gray, purple, black, and blue as these colors get lighter over the time.