What color tattoos are easiest to cover-up?

Author: Barton Crooks  |  Last update: Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Old, faded tattoos in light colors like blues and greens are much easier to cover than a brand new all-black tattoo. Some tattoos are good candidates for a few laser tattoo removal sessions to fade the tattoo before getting a cover up.

What is the hardest tattoo color to cover-up?

The hardest tattoo color to remove is generally considered to be green, followed closely by blue. These colors are more challenging because they absorb certain wavelengths of laser light less effectively than darker colors like black or red.

What tattoos are easiest to cover-up?

While faded or light tattoos are the easiest to cover, they can only be masked using the same pigment, or one that is darker.

What color tattoo ink to avoid?

Generally speaking, there are no ``bad'' colors of tattoo ink. The FDA regulates tattoo ink and requires that all inks and pigments used for tattoos be approved for use in cosmetics and be non-toxic.

What colors stay best in tattoos?

Black ink lasts the longest and is least likely to blur, making it the best choice of ink color for long-lasting tattoos. Black ink is so reliable it is usually used to help hold in color molecules.

Tattoo Cover Ups - What you need to know before getting it done

What colors are easiest to cover up tattoos?

Old, faded tattoos in light colors like blues and greens are much easier to cover than a brand new all-black tattoo. Some tattoos are good candidates for a few laser tattoo removal sessions to fade the tattoo before getting a cover up.

What tattoos look best over time?

If you want your tattoo to age well, look vibrant, and be defined for decades, choose styles that include:
  • Heavy line work.
  • Saturated color.
  • Distinctive detail and shading.
  • Timeless or meaningful subjects.

What is the riskiest tattoo color?

Red ink is still the most likely color to cause skin problems. Why? Red tattoo inks are the most likely to cause health complications, including rashes and pseudolymphomas, both symptoms of an allergic reaction.

What color ink tattoo is banned?

The primary pigments under restriction are Pigment Blue 15 and Green 7. The ban took place in January 2023 following an additional one-year derogation period granted for these two pigments. The European Union ink ban allowed the derogation period to allow businesses more time to find safe alternatives​​.

What Colour tattoo fades the least?

Interestingly, black ink tends to be the most durable and fades the least.

What color cancels out tattoo ink?

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.

What are basic tattoos to avoid?

If you don't want to regret your body art, read this list of tattoos that you should never get.
  • White Ink Tattoos. White ink tattoos are the latest trend. ...
  • Face Tattoos. ...
  • Partner's Name. ...
  • A Cheap Tattoo. ...
  • Any Tattoo While Intoxicated. ...
  • An Offensive Tattoo. ...
  • What to Do If You Don't Like Your Tattoo.

Where can I get a tattoo that is easy to hide?

Generally speaking, an upper arm tattoo will be easier to hide than ink on your forearm or any area close to your wrist. Inner arm tattoos are relatively low on the pain scale.

What tattoo colors age best?

Black and grey: The lack of colour minimises fading, and the detail shading can age gracefully, often looking more refined as the skin changes. Tribal: The simplicity and deep black ink in these tattoos maintain their visibility and integrity.

What tattoo is best for a cover up?

The best subject matter for cover ups tend to be things with lots of texture and heavy lighting effects to create heavy shadows, such as underwater scenes, flowers, organic images, Japanese imagery, skulls, organic style bio mech.

What color tattoo cannot be removed?

Yellow, blue, purple, turquoise - these are the common colors that most laser tattoo removal devices just cannot seem to get rid of.

What is the least toxic tattoo ink color?

Dr. Kunin reports that black might be the safest permanent tattoo ink; it is often derived from a substance called carbon black and rarely causes any kind of sensitivity issues.

Are red tattoos illegal?

A new ban on colored ink for tattoos has come into force across the European Union on Tuesday, officials confirmed, despite opposition from tattoo artists across the bloc.

Are colored tattoos bad for you?

Tattoo ink colors are not regulated by the FDA. While there has been significant progress in the production and safety of tattoo inks, allergic reactions do still occur in some people. Some inks, such as red and neon inks contain chemicals and metals that may be dangerous.

What color tattoo to avoid?

Yellows and Greens with Cadmium

Yellows and bright greens often contain cadmium, which can cause skin irritation and has been associated with other health risks. They also tend to fade or change color over time when exposed to sunlight.

What is the most overused tattoo?

Here are some of the most common cliche tattoos.
  • “Carpe Diem” ...
  • Om Sign. ...
  • Anchor. ...
  • “This Too Shall Pass” ...
  • Dreamcatcher. ...
  • Barred Wire. ...
  • Geometric animals. ...
  • Area Code. If you might want to get your area code tattooed on you in either large block numbers on your forearm, or in subtle small numbers somewhere else on your body.

Are tattoos hard on your kidneys?

A variety of medical products contain PEG, including laxatives. It can cause allergic reactions, however, and in the case of tattooing, research has suggested that repeated exposure to PEG could lead to kidney failure. We also found propylene glycol in 15 inks, though it wasn't listed as an ingredient in any of them.

What tattoos do not age well?

TYPES OF TATTOOS THAT DON'T AGE WELL
  • TINY TATTOOS. Tiny tattoos may seem like a great idea, they're discreet and don't require a huge amount of time. ...
  • TRENDY TATTOOS. Just like clothes and haircuts, any trends regarding tattoos will come and go. ...
  • WHITE INK TATTOOS. White ink tattoos sound like a great idea. ...
  • MEME TATTOOS.

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