A salt/saline solution is a common, effective approach to lightening tattoos. Although it is a slower process than other treatments, this method is popular because it is safer than other tattoo lightening procedures.
Answer: Can a new Tattoo be lightened? First you must let the skin heal from the tattoo roughly 2-3 weeks. After this the simple options include injecting the tattoo with some sterile saline solution which will have a slight lightening effect, or several treatments with a Q switched laser. Hope this was helpful. Dr D.
There's nothing you can do now to make it lighter without damaging the tattoo. Just wait until it's completely healed, the difference will be way less and maybe not bother you as much.
To remove fresh tattoo ink from the skin, you can use a variety of methods. Some people use a mixture of water and salt, while others use a commercial tattoo removal product. You can also try using a Q-tip or cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Exfoliation - Exfoliation paired with hydrogen peroxide can do wonders to gradually fade tattoo ink naturally. This is because exfoliation removes dead skin while hydrogen peroxide is a skin lightening agent that has bleaching properties.
The American Academy of Dermatology says petroleum-based products can cause ink to fade. They recommend using water-based moisturizers on new tattoos instead. But why? Products like Vaseline and super thick ointments may trap moisture and bacteria on top of a new tattoo, increasing your risk of developing an infection.
Buff out the damage once or twice a week on fully healed tattoos. Apply BUFF to a washcloth or shower scrubber and use a circular motion to gently polish off dead skin and grunge residue. If your skin gets red, sore, or inflamed, lay off the buffing and stick to moisturizing until your skin is healed.
You can't remove your tattoo until it is fully healed, the healing process typically takes 6 to 8 weeks. Older tattoos tend to be easier to remove and require fewer sessions than newer tattoos. Laser tattoo removal works by passing the laser's light into the skin and breaking up the tattoo ink into small bits.
Shades on the opposite end of the color spectrum will neutralize their counterpart. The most commonly used neutralizing color is a deep orange to cancel out the blue and blue-green shades of common tattoo inks. For tattoos with dark black ink, you should use a deep red neutralizer.
How to lighten a tattoo effectively? Laser removal is by far the best way to fade a tattoo. This is the quickest, safest, and most efficient removal process, says Cooper Ferreira, a Removery technician and experienced RN. “This is a process that utilizes your immune system to remove ink in a safe way,” he emphasizes.
Hydrogen peroxide
It is designed to work as a disinfectant but is moderately effective at fading superficial layers of ink. On its own, hydrogen peroxide is not potent enough to penetrate the second layer of skin. As a result, fresh tattoos or deeply embedded tattoos won't be phased by it.
Diluting your tattoo ink with distilled water is a great way to add dimension in your pieces that require shading. It's also great for clients who like the more washed out, gray look in their fine line tattoos!
Natural methods like exfoliation, lemon juice, and hydrogen peroxide can offer gradual fading but carry risks of skin irritation and inconsistent results. For safer and more effective tattoo removal, professional treatments such as the advanced Phantom™ Laser technology are highly recommended.
Saline tattoo removal is a procedure that uses a saline solution to draw tattoo ink or pigment out of the skin. It can be used to lighten or fully remove tattoos, although it is not the most efficient method of removal.
You can wear clothing like long sleeve shirts, put on waterproof makeup, or just use a bandage to keep your tat out of sight. For those that want to erase all evidence of their ink, you can either get another tattoo over it or have it removed at a clinic that specializes in skin conditions.
Regular exfoliation with a salt or sugar scrub can help fade your tattoo. Try to exfoliate for 5-10 minutes per session and avoid being too rough with your skin. Applying lemon or lime juice, glycolic acid, and hydrogen peroxide can lighten skin if you apply it directly, especially if you do it right after exfoliating.
The eligibility of a tattoo for touch-ups largely depends on its condition, the quality of the original artwork, and age. The best tattoo shops often advise that tattoos with significant fading, blurry lines, or lacking detail are the most appropriate candidates for touch-ups.
What NOT to do? DON'T re-bandage your tattoo, rub, scratch or pick at your new tattoo. DON'T apply alcohol, Neosporin, Vaseline, or petroleum jelly (they can trap dirt and germs and cause infection). DON'T apply a heavy coat of lotion (remember the skin must breathe in order to heal).
Does Aquaphor Cause Fading in Tattoos? There are rumors that Aquaphor makes tattoos fade, but from our experiences and many others, this just isn't true. If a tattoo is done correctly and the ink is where it needs to be, ointment should only help your tattoo heal correctly.
Aloe helps to support the healing process. It won't do anything to damage your tattoo, and it's completely safe for the pigments in your tattoo.
Both Paul and Shuliar recommend Aquaphor healing ointment for tattoo aftercare because it's unscented and designed to create a protective healing barrier while allowing oxygen to pass through.