Should You Get A Tattoo Cover Up Or Remove It?

Laser Tattoo Removal Or Tattoo Over Old Tattoo?

Short answer? It depends.

If you want to alter or disguise an old tattoo, then you can definitely have a tattoo designed on top of, or integrated into, the old tattoo.

How does a tattoo cover-up work? If you choose this option, the new ink is deposited within the dermis, along with the old ink. The ink from the new tattoo combines with the ink from the old tattoo – as a result, the darker colored ink becomes dominant and lighter colors mix to make new colors. Black ink tattoos are very difficult to redesign or camouflage with a newer tattoo since they tend to be more prominent.

You can also choose to first remove your old tattoo through a series of laser tattoo removal sessions, and then have a new tattoo placed on the same area. But you’ll have to wait for several months after your last laser tattoo removal session.

Why?

This allows any under-the-skin inflammation to calm down. Luckily, the risk of scarring should be the same regardless of whether you’ve had a previous tattoo or not. And if you don’t like your new tattoo, you can always get laser tattoo removal again!

Laser Tattoo Removal: The Superior Option

The science behind laser tattoo removal is pretty amazing. Laser tattoo removal works by targeting pigment colors in the skin’s dermis, the layer of skin between the epidermis and subcutaneous tissues. Light beams radiated by the laser are absorbed by tattoo pigments, which then fragment. The body then absorbs and eliminates the pigment fragments.

The Q-switch is the most common type of laser used in tattoo removal. It produces pulses of light boasting an extremely high peak power. Several types of Q-switch lasers exist, and each one targets a different color spectrum at different wavelengths. Because Q-switch lasers are so precise and intense, tattoo pigments fragment instantly, resulting in minimal damage to the surrounding tissue.

Even though laser tattoo removal might sound complicated, the procedure itself is super simple.

Your First Laser Tattoo Removal Procedure

What’s a laser tattoo removal procedure like? Pretty simple, actually.

Before a session, your medical professional will determine which type of laser to use and how many treatments you’ll need. The number of required treatments is based on the tattoo’s age, size, type, and pigment depth. Before determining an appropriate treatment plan, your medical professional will first test out the laser on your skin to see how it reacts.

So what happens during a laser tattoo removal treatment? Before the session starts a medical professional will apply an anesthetic cream, and you’ll be given protective eye gear to wear, along with a cooling device. The medical professional will then gently place a handpiece against your skin and deliver laser pulses to the tattoo pigment. With each laser pulse, most people experience a sensation similar to a rubber band snapping against their skin. The amount of laser pulses depends on the tattoo’s size, but most treatment sessions only last a few minutes.

You may experience minor bleeding, redness, swelling, and blistering for several hours or days following treatment. The next several weeks may see the treated area flaking, peeling, and scabbing. Handle the treatment site gently. While the site is healing, you should avoid sun exposure and public swimming pools. Once the skin has completely healed (usually four to six weeks after treatment), you can undergo additional sessions.

Laser Tattoo Removal Gets Results

There’s no other choice, really. Laser tattoo removal is the only safe and effective method to remove unwanted tattoos, especially if you want a new tattoo in the same area. After a series of successful laser treatments, most tattoos are pretty much gone. Keep in mind, however, that how fast your tattoo disappears depends on its color pigments, depth, and age. But even stubborn cases aren’t hopeless. Though colors such as yellow, green, or light blue are more difficult to remove, they can certainly be faded. The same goes for ink that rests deep within the dermis.

Why Choose LaserAway?

With two decades of experience and millions of treatments performed, LaserAway is the nation’s leader in aesthetic dermatology. Our clinics are equipped with cutting-edge technology and overseen by board-certified dermatologists. Every treatment is performed by highly trained medical professionals—registered nurses, nurse practitioners, or physician associates—who complete one of the most rigorous training programs in the industry.

We are committed to providing safe, effective, and scientifically backed treatments that help you achieve your best skin.

Book your free consultation today and experience the LaserAway difference.

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