Tattoos are a form of self-expression that, for many, become a lifelong commitment. But what happens when you want to get rid of your old tattoo?
Can you cover it with something new and better? In this article, I’ll let you know, can you tattoo over a removed tattoo?
How Effective Is Laser Removal To Completely Remove Your Tattoo?
Laser removal is an effective method to remove tattoos; however, it’s not always guaranteed to erase the tattoo totally.
Laser removal works by breaking down the ink particles with a beam of concentrated light into tiny pieces, which are then slowly eliminated from your body over time.
Depending on the size of your tattoo and how much ink was used when creating it, laser removal can take multiple treatments, with each session typically four weeks apart before being completely removed.
The larger or more complex the design, the longer it will take for complete removal, as well as more sessions and potential scarring.
Because of this, makeup tattoos tend to be harder to remove than other designs without false colors running together or blurring together during treatment, giving unclear results.
Nevertheless laser removal is quite successful in removing even stubborn tattoos and doing so with minimal side effects such as redness and itching in the area that should fade soon after treatment.
What Happens To The Skin During Laser Tattoo Removal?
The process of laser tattoo removal involves the use of an advanced laser to remove bad tattoo designs or one that is no longer desired.
It’s important to look for a reputable tattoo artist and specialist to get the best possible results, so you don’t want to get the tattoo ink removed.
The process starts by applying a topical numbing cream, by the laser removal specialists, and then continues with the laser technician firing off pulses of high intensity light at the area of skin with the unwanted ink.
This causes tiny particles of pigment to break down, which are then absorbed by your body’s natural healing system over a period of weeks or months.
Depending on several factors such as size and depth, multiple treatments may be needed until all traces of inks are removed.
While some tattoos can be completely removed after just one treatment, others may require up to 6–8 treatments spaced out between 4–6 weeks apart from each other before achieving full completion from the last treatment session.
It’s also important to find experienced laser specialists for this procedure since it is considered an art form that requires precision, skill and expertise.
What Does The Skin Look Like, After You’ve Had Your Tattoo Removed?
After having a tattoo removed with laser treatments, the skin will look different from it did before.
You may experience some redness and swelling around the old one. Blisters may also form on the healing skin after tattoo laser removal.
The body requires a few days to heal as new skin cells form in place of the ink particles that were once there.
It is important to understand that the age of the tattoo, size and colors used can all impact how safely and effectively lasers can remove tattoos.
The effectiveness of laser tattoo removal depends on how deep the ink was incorporated into your skin layers when initially applied, so not all tattoos are removable without scarring or bleeding.
Some colors have proven more difficult than others for doctors to remove with lasers. The good news is that modern-day treatments minimize side effects such as rashes and hyperpigmentation, which can happen during and after treatment sessions.
However, every individual’s experience is unique, even if they receive the same type/number of treatments from their practitioner.
Depending on factors such as location and extent, you may need several laser treatments spread out over time to completely remove your tattoo with minimal risk of scarring or permanent damage to the body’s surface scar tissue layers.
However, if performed correctly by an experienced professional, you should be able to fully remove your unwanted tattoos safely and effectively over time with no long term negative affects or other complications arising down the road due to the process itself.
Best Aftercare Tips After Having Your Tattoo Removed With Laser Treatments
If you have recently had a tattoo removed using laser tattoo removal treatments, it is important to follow the aftercare instructions that were given to you.
The removal process typically involves multiple treatments which use a special medical-grade laser that penetrates deep into the skin tissue where it breaks down the ink pigment used in tattoos.
After each treatment session, it is important to take care of your skin to maximize healing results from the treatment.
Immediately following the laser treatment, it is essential to keep treated skin covered with loose clothing or a bandage and free from direct sunlight for several days or weeks.
This will help expedite healing and minimize risk of infection as well as scarring.
While cleaning any area of treated skin, make sure to use only gentle cleansers or soaps designed specifically for sensitive areas such as tattoos, and be cautious not to scrub too hard while bathing or showering.
It can also be beneficial to apply an ointment with antimicrobial properties developed especially for getting tattoos may also aid in faster healing times between sessions.
Can You Get A New Tattoo After Laser Tattoo Removal?
Yes, you can get a new tattoo after laser tattoo removal. However, it is highly recommended that you wait awhile before doing so.
Laser clinics can be found all over the world that specialize in removing unwanted body art using laser technology.
Tattoo removal specialists recommend waiting anywhere from 6 months to 12 months before getting a cover up or a new tattoo on the same part of your body that had the original one removed.
This is because the process of removing tattoos, regardless of how advanced the laser technology used is, needs time for the skin to heal properly and for your immune system to build itself back up again (as some portions may have been weakened).
Not following this advice could lead to further inflammation and scarring beyond what’s currently visible at present – which would require even more treatments needed if you still want to get a new tattoo afterward.
So if you want to get a new tattoo following your old one being removed via laser treatments, then we highly recommend waiting until enough time has passed since your treatment and following the advice given by tattoo removal specialists who are there to help ensure safe practice when applying any form of body art.
Can You Tattoo Over A Removed Tattoo?
If you want to get a tattoo after laser removal of an existing removed one, it can be done. It is known as a cover-up or tattoo replacement.
You can get a new tattoo piece to cover the old one. In some cases, you may even be able to get a cover-up tattoo replacement, if the artist has enough skill and creativity.
It all depends on how deeply the original was applied and what type of ink was used, when deciding if you can have a tattoo over an old one.
Regardless, it is advisable to give your skin time to heal before getting another tattoo.
Scar tissue can pose some adverse effects in terms of properly applying the colors for a clear image, so this is something that must also be taken into consideration when seeking out a new tattoo piece.
Some people will find that once they have gone through multiple sessions of laser removal that their existing tattoos are gone completely, leaving fresh unmarked skin behind where they once resided.
In these cases, it goes without saying that any form of body marking would require newly exposed area only as opposed to running risk and risking further damage or blemishes.
By attempting this method over remaining scar tissue or anything other than perfectly unblemished flesh on which no attempts at permanent inking have been made previously.
What Are The Benefits Of A Tattoo Cover Up Vs Laser Tattoo Removal?
A tattoo cover up is a great solution for those looking to hide tattoos rather than remove them completely. It can be used on all types of existing designs, from small and simple ones, to large and intricate designs.
The benefit of a tattoo cover up versus laser tattoo removal is that it is non-invasive and painless, so there are no risks involved with getting the design done or hidden.
It can also be much more affordable, since laser treatments tend to run quite high in cost.
Other benefits include being able to choose any type of design you want to cover your old one, instead of having limited options like traditional laser removal methods.
And lastly, the results will last longer than those achieved with laser treatments due to the quality of ink used in most professional artist’s work.
How Long After Laser Tattoo Removal Can You Get A Tattoo Done?
It is important to wait at least six weeks after the laser tattoo removal before getting a tattoo done.
In some cases, it might be necessary to wait even longer than that if the area lasered needs more time to heal properly or if the tattoo has only partially faded.
When having had a laser treatment, you need to take special care of your skin, and avoid any sun exposure or harsh chemicals which may hinder the healing process and delay when you can get a new tattoo applied.
Use natural healing balms, as they are much gentler on delicate skin and provide maximum recovery in the shortest amount of time.
If you are considering a second round of laser treatments, it is strongly advised that you wait until all remnants of the original tattoo have faded before getting another one done.
Summary
If you want to know if it’s possible to get new ink after you’ve had a permanent tattoo removed, you can, providing you’ve waited enough time to recover, and followed your aftercare instructions diligently, to minimize the signs of blistering or scar tissue formation.
Many artists recommend waiting at least six weeks, but find an artist that deals with cover up-pieces as they’ll be able to give you professional advice on how they can tattoo the skin after laser tattoo removal.
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