Blog

Share This Post

Should You Fade Your Tattoo Before Getting a Coverup?

People have their own reasons for getting a tattoo, and their own reasons for wanting to cover one up too!  An old tattoo may serve as an unwelcome reminder for some people, while others might just want to replace some old ink with something new. Regardless of your reasons, fading your old tattoo will help give your coverup a fresh canvas and keep any hint of that old tattoo from revealing itself. 

How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work? 

Fading your tattoo will use Enlighten™ laser tattoo removal technology. Laser tattoo removal works by sending pulses of laser energy into the skin. While this energy doesn’t harm the skin, it impacts the pigment molecules in your tattoo and breaks them apart. 

Tattoo ink molecules are usually too big for the body to remove, which is why tattoos last for so long. However, the body easily removes the broken pigment remnants after Enlighten™ laser tattoo treatment. Not all pigments fade at the same rate, however. Colors such as black or dark blue absorb the most laser energy and break down faster, while bright colors will sometimes take longer to remove. 

Should You Fade Your Tattoo Before Getting a Coverup?

You should always consult with your trusted tattoo artist, but if you want to cover up a tattoo, especially a dark or thickly pigmented tattoo, fading it first will make their job easier. Fading an old tattoo acts as an investment in the new one, making sure it will look as good as a brand new tattoo instead of a coverup. 

Laser Tattoo Removal Consultations Available

Will My Faded Tattoo Come Back?

Although traces of your faded tattoo will remain, they will not come back or get darker. In fact, over time, they may even get lighter, as older tattoos tend to fade. The best part about fading a tattoo before a coverup is that laser tattoo removal easily breaks down the darkest pigments that would be the hardest to cover. 

What Is Laser Tattoo Removal Like?

We will use a numbing agent to make sure your tattoo fading session feels painless and comfortable. Your treatment may take anywhere from 15-45 minutes, depending on the size of the tattoo. The number of sessions needed usually ranges from two to six, but some tattoos may need eight or possibly more.  

New York Skin & Vein Center’s Laser Tattoo Removal Guarantee

Tattoo removal can take several sessions to remove as fully as possible. However, we guarantee that we will provide all further sessions free of charge if your tattoo has not been removed after eight sessions. 

Am I a Good Candidate for Laser Tattoo Removal?

If you have a tattoo you plan to cover up, you may make a good candidate for laser tattoo removal. The laser will break down the darkest and heaviest pigments first, making the old tattoo a breeze for your tattoo artist to cover with something new. All that’s left is deciding what you plan to get for your coverup!

Testimonials

*Individual Results May Vary

We love hearing from our patients!
Read some of our reviews below to see why we are the most trusted authority in laser tattoo removal services.
5/5

Take the Next Step

To schedule your in-person tattoo removal consultation, call New York Skin & Vein Centers at (607) 431-2525 or simply fill out the form on this page. We look forward to working with you!

More To Explore