If you’re not ready to go the more permanent (and costly) route of getting a cover-up tattoo or getting laser-removal done, using clothing to cover the tattoo is a relatively easy temporary measure. Flesh-colored tattoo-covering sleeves are available from online retailers, including sizes to cover the whole arm, lower or upper arm, wrist, and ankle.
Certain makeup products are even designed specifically for covering tattoos and can be found online or at many beauty supply stores. Though also not ideal for the long-term, covering your tattoo with makeup can help you deal with it in the short-term.
Find a tattoo artist or shop that specializes in cover-ups and can show you a portfolio of quality work. If it wasn’t done right the last time, you want to make sure it will be this time. You’ll need a design that’s larger than the original tattoo–and sometimes significantly so. Work with your artist to create a design that will work with the features of the old one. Because it’s often hard to completely cover over a new tattoo, you’ll want a design that can integrate and then camouflage the old one. Most cover-up tattoos will be done in color in order to better cover the old one. Tribal-style tattoos tend to be the exception.
Depending on the location, type of ink, and depth of the tattoo, it may not be possible to remove it completely.
If your tattoo has been previously treated with other tattoo-removal procedures that have resulted in scarring, laser removal may only cause more scarring. [2] X Research source If, however, your tattoo has been treated before with minimal scarring, it may respond well to laser treatment. [3] X Research source
Ask your family doctor or dermatologist to refer you to someone who specializes in tattoo removal and whose work they know and trust.
Laser treatments use pulsed Q-switched lasers to break the ink particles apart so they can be absorbed by the body’s immune system. Once the ink particles have been broken up, they’ll go to the lymph nodes, where they’ll remain. It generally takes between 5-10 treatments over a span of many weeks to remove a tattoo. Costs vary, but on average will run about $200 per session. Most insurance companies won’t cover the cost of tattoo removal unless it’s medically necessary. [5] X Research source
In general, a laser tattoo removal session will run as follows:[6] X Research source You’ll be given protective eye shields, and the doctor may administer either topical anesthesia or painkiller injections before beginning. The doctor will use hand-held device will up against your skin to direct the laser. You can expect each pulse of the laser to feel something like being snapped with a rubber band or spattered with hot grease. After the laser has been applied to the entire area, the doctor will likely apply ice or a cold compress before covering the area with a bandage. The doctor may give then you a topical cream to apply periodically to the site.
Infection: If not treated properly, the tattoo site can be subject to infection. Scarring: There is a small chance that the treatment could leave you with permanent scarring. Hypo- or hyperpigmentation: There’s a risk that the skin in the treated area will either become lighter or darker than the surrounding skin.
