We put a lot of thought into choosing a tattoo design yet there are many reasons people regret getting theirs. It may be because they find the art work to be amateur, don’t find the design appealing anymore or it could remind them of a recent break up. Not all decisions are reversible but luckily, it is possible to remove tattoos.
A new tattoo in the place of old one:
Many prefer to get a cover up tattoo instead of removing it. They will replace their old tattoo with a better design in which case you’ll have to lighten your old one. Cover up tattoos look great only when the existing tattoo is faded out. Tattoo lightening prepares a cleaner canvas for your tattoo artist to draw a cover up.
Why opt for lightening rather than removing tattoo?
Removing a tattoo is more painful and time-consuming. It takes about 3 to 6 sessions to fade a tattoo while removal takes anywhere between 6 and 12 tattoos which is about a year or two. Larger tattoos require more sessions to remove.
Fading a tattoo using DIY techniques is likely to leave your skin damaged which in turn makes it harder for the tattoo artist to fix it. Get it done the safe way with the help of a professional. He/she will assess your skin type and existing tattoo and choose an appropriate method.
Options for tattoo removal and fading:
- Salabrasion: Cleanse the skin, roll a sponge in salty water and scrub the area for at least 30 minutes. This eventually removes the upper layer of skin. Apply an antisepctic at the end to avoid infection. It is as painful as it sounds and could cause bleeding. Repeat the procedure multiple times to see results.
- Lemon juice: Apply fresh lemon juice using a cotton swab on your skin and let it day. After it dries, wipe it off. Repeat this process at least twice or thrice a day for several weeks. This is less painful than the previous method.
- Hydrogen Peroxide coupled with exfoliation: Exfoliate your skin using a sugar/ salt scrub for a few minutes and apply hydrogen peroxide. Avoid damaging the underlying new skin.
- Sand: Cleanse and skin and sand the skin using sandpaper or sponge vigorously for 20 to 30 minutes. Apply an antiseptic cream after the process. Repeat the process for several weeks.
- Professional methods: Natural methods don’t work for everyone since the agents used may not work well with your skin. The safe, far less painful and quickest option is by seeking professional help.
Transform your existing permanent tattoo into something cooler. Contact a skilled tattoo artist to help you with the process.
