Sun Exposure: The Natural Fader One common natural method is sun exposure. UV rays can help fade a tattoo over time by breaking down the ink pigments, allowing the body's immune system to clear them away.
Much like lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent. It is designed to work as a disinfectant but is moderately effective at fading superficial layers of ink.
Laser tattoo removal sessions are the safest, most efficient, and quickest option for complete removal of your unwanted tattoos.
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.
Laser tattoo removal is likely the most commonly heard of tattoo removal method. Laser tattoo removal works by firing concentrated light at ink in a tattoo, which then breaks the tattoo into smaller pieces so your body can process the tattoo out over time.
Your best bet is to begin daily applications of a mild skin-lightening agent like hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice. If you're looking for a faster, more direct approach, you could also try exfoliating the tattoo thoroughly 2-3 times a day with a homemade salt scrub or similar abrasive mixture.
One way to increase the efficiency of the tattoo removal process is to increase circulation, as this can ensure ink is eliminated quickly. Exercise can boost circulation (and your mood), so it's an important step in the tattoo removal routine.
When considering chemical tattoo removal solutions, several brands utilize acids and alkaline compounds to break down tattoo pigments. Notable examples include: PhiRemoval : Employs glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), to target tattoo ink. Tatt2Away : Utilizes lactic acid in its removal process.
Prolonged exposure to the sun can be super harmful to the longevity of your tattoo. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun will penetrate the skin and essentially break down the pigments in the tattoo. Once those pigments are damaged, the tattoo will ultimately appear much lighter and less vibrant than it once did.
At-home and DIY tattoo removal methods like hydrogen peroxide should be left to urban myth and tall tales, and never attempted. They are ineffective and worse, could lead to skin damage.
Use light, circular motions with your fingertips. Avoid applying too much pressure, especially during the early stages of recovery. Keep massage sessions short—1 to 2 minutes at a time, twice daily. This promotes blood flow and lymphatic drainage without over-stressing the area.
Why Vaseline and petroleum-based jelly aren't great for a new tattoo. Petroleum-based products can cause ink to fade and may trap moisture and bacteria on top of the tattoo, increasing your risk of developing an infection. Use water-based moisturizers on new tattoos instead.
Factors like sun exposure, skin elasticity, friction, improper aftercare, smoking, and tanning can accelerate tattoo fading. Natural methods like exfoliation and using lightening agents may help fade tattoos, but professional laser removal is the most reliable and safest option.
Other Tattoo Removal / Fading Options:
Hydrogen Peroxide and Exfoliation - Exfoliation paired with hydrogen peroxide can do wonders to gradually fade tattoo ink naturally.
One of the most common home tattoo removal methods we see talked about is salabrasion or rubbing the skin away with salt. It's an old method, and it does technically work, provided you rub enough skin off to reach the layer where the ink is held. You could also achieve the same effect with coarse sand or sandpaper.
Laser removal is the most effective way to remove a tattoo, but there are also other methods that can help, including surgical removal, dermabrasion, and chemical peels.
Laser tattoo removal uses bursts of light energy to break down tattoo pigments under your skin. Once the ink is shattered into tiny fragments, your body's immune system processes and flushes it out. Sessions are typically spaced several weeks apart to allow your skin to heal and give your body time to clear the ink.
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.
Lemon, lavender, frankincense, helichrysum, and tea tree essential oils are the best options for fading tattoos. To use essential oils for fading tattoos, dilute the oil, use a carrier oil, and apply the mixture to the tattoo regularly.