Has anyone had laser tattoo removal within the past few years?
I want to cover up my first tattoo (teenagers really should not get tattoos)... but most of it is black, and I don’t want it covered with more black. It’s been suggested to me that a round of laser removal would probably bring it to a point where I could have it more easily and attractively tattooed over.
Now, all I know of laser removal is old technology that often left a scar in the general shape of the tattoo. Has the technology been improved so that doesn’t happen as often?
Also, has anyone else tried this process to cover up an old tattoo?
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
13 Answers
I don’t have any firsthand experience with removing tattoos but I do know a bit on the subject. There is a chance of scarring but the technology has gotten better. The chances are slimmer. There is also a chance of the pigment of your skin turning lighter in that area as well. Black is difficult to cover no matter how light it might be. You’ll have to cooperate with an artist you trust if you want a good cover up tattoo. The lasers might be able to remove it all with several sessions but that’s not 100% either. The biggest problem is the cost as it’s not a cheap procedure. Tattoos are meant to be permanent… Facts is facts. Good luck!
Here is some more info.
@Randy: I am very, VERY pale. I don’t think my skin could possibly get any lighter! My artist has done every one of my 14 except this one, my first, that I want to cover. I know it’s costly, so I’m not expecting this to be a quick fix or anything. I am not one of those people that gets a tattoo for the sake of getting a tattoo… anymore. At 17, yes, that’s exactly what I did. But even after I accepted that, I continued getting tattoos that were more, well… responsible.
Response moderated
My daughter has had one removed from the back of her neck. It was pretty painful for her but the area looks fine. Her tatto was black as well and you can still make it out faintly.
@faye: How many treatments did she have? And do you know if the healing was similar to a normal tattoo healing?
She must have had 4–5 and no, it was worse than normal tattoos, she said..There was a fair amount of bleeding the first couple of times.
maybe it would actually be more unpleasant to cover it than just putting up with it for the next 50–60 years lol
See, I couldn’t even tell you. It’s some tribal thing that looked way better on paper than it does on my arm. /sigh
Pretend it has deep symbolic meaning- which it probably does.
@poofandmook You should post a picture of it, and see if any of our resident artists can work up a cover-up for you working with what you already have. :)
If you’ve gotten all your work done by a single fellow besides that one, I’m going to assume you trust him pretty well. I’d say you’d be better off going with a cover up as is. Here’s the deal, I’m sure it’s faded a bit if you got it when you were 17 and it will be cheaper/less painful/easier to just cover it then to try to remove it all the way or to try to remove and then cover it. Talk to your artist, see what he suggests as a cover. You’d be suprised at the blacks they can cover with greens and even certain shades of red. You might be suprised at what he can do to make it better. And even if you’re not, you can always decline and THEN opt for the removing procedure.
Answer this question 
This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.
Composing members:
0
