How To Brighten A Tattoo?
5 Ways to Make Your Tattoos More Vibrant
- Exfoliate Your Tattoo. An exfoliator will remove the outermost layer of skin, which is all dead cells anyway.
- Use Moisturizer on Your Ink.
- Keep Your Skin Clean.
- Always Use Sunscreen.
- Touch-Ups and Cover-Ups.
Contents
Can you brighten up a dark tattoo?
Is It Possible to Lighten a Dark Tattoo? – You can absolutely lighten a tattoo that is too dark. If you still like your design, but it’s just too dark or bold, laser removal can help you achieve the results you want. Removery knows how to fade a tattoo as efficiently as possible.
We use the PicoWay laser, the gold standard for tattoo removal, which can target highly concentrated areas of dark tattoo ink. Many other techniques, including PicoSure tattoo removal , cannot do this as effectively.
With the PicoWay laser, our trained specialists can lighten your entire tattoo or certain portions of it to create the desired look. 
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Can you fix a faded tattoo?
Tattoo Touch-Ups and Color Rejuvenations – Touch-Ups. When a tattoo reaches a certain condition, no amount of exfoliating gel can bring it back to life. This is when an appointment with a talented artist could be the answer. Your fossil of a tattoo could be re-outlined again with a solid, crisp black line.
- This would enhance its clarity and give the tattoo artist the opportunity to add some detail back, especially in those areas of the design that are small and complex that have lost their detail because the ink has spread;
Portraits and designs that include faces can benefit highly from some touch-up work. Color Rejuvenation. The colors are usually the first thing in a tattoo to show wear. Re-coloring faded tattoos that have maintained their outlines can make them current again. 
Body suit on lady, Inked women. Tattoo aftercare helps keep these looking good.
Can white ink lighten a tattoo?
Will the “white-out technique” help lighten my old tattoo? – Yes, using white ink on top of a pre-existing tattoo will definitely help to lighten the area. While white ink is helpful in creating a cleaner canvas for a cover-up, artists are on the fence about whether or not it produces long-lasting results.
Why does my new tattoo look dull?
Why Tattoos Look Dull While Healing – During the healing stage, your tattoo is more than likely to appear dull or faded. It usually occurs around the scabbing and peeling phases, and is a result of the repeated poking and damage caused by the needles.
The tattooing process prompts your body to kill off and shed the damaged skin cells, while it regenerates brand new skin over the tattooed area. As this old, damaged layer of skin dies, it sits on the surface for a while, forming a translucent layer over your tattoo, giving it a faded, milky appearance.
If this is your first tattoo, it’s only normal to feel alarmed or disappointed, however, it should regain its vibrant look within a month or two (some tattoos, especially larger ones, can even shed their skin twice). While it can take some time for your tattoo to look completely clean and sharp, be rest assured that the dullness will dissipate over time as more and more dead skin continues to flake away.
Why does my tattoo look like it’s missing ink?
You’ve recently had your first tattoo, and you’re doing everything your artist told you to do, following their instructions to the letter. But to your horror, you can see that the ink is coming off as you shower! Is this normal or is it the tattoo not healing properly?! – The quick answer is that yes, it’s perfectly normal for ink to come away as a tattoo heals.
- Ink is driven deep into the skin by the tattoo needles, but some will be on the surface of the skin, and some others will collect in scabs above the tattoo;
- It is normal for some of this excess ink to be lost as the body tried to repair the wound that the needles made in your skin;
There will still be enough ink for your tattoo to look bright and intense, if you follow instructions carefully. Just remember to blot tattoos dry with a paper towel, rather than rubbing with a cotton one, and wear loose clothes over it, rather than anything tight.
Why is my new tattoo so faded?
This is a bit of a trick question. The reason being, is that a tattoo “fades” to the naked eye within days of application. This occurs because as the skin heals, the top layer dies and new skin forms to take its place. During this period the epidermis typically has a faded appearance. However, this is a natural part of the tattoo healing process and as the peeling subsides and the dead skin falls away the design will once again look crisp and fresh.
- Still, it won’t have that same deep dark tone as it did when your tattooist put his/her gun away;
- Anyone who has received a tattoo already knows this;
- But what you want to know now, is when can you expect a tattoo to fade in the longer term;
Let’s have a look.
Where do tattoos fade the most?
Does Vaseline fade tattoos?
It’s best to avoid products that are 100 percent petroleum-based, like Vaseline. The American Academy of Dermatology says that petroleum-based products can cause the ink to fade.
How can I fade my tattoo naturally?
Other Tattoo Removal / Fading Options: – Lemon Juice – Prior to getting professional treatment, lemons are a great natural remedy to lighten a tattoo. Lemons are commonly known as a lightening agent for skin. Apply fresh-squeezed or pure lemon juice to your tattoo up to three times a day, and within several weeks, the ink of your tattoo, specifically the darker colours should be noticeably faded.
- 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;
For this process, you want to first exfoliate your skin safely and naturally with a salt or sugar scrub. After spending a few minutes exfoliating, dab hydrogen peroxide on the area. Ensure that you are not breaking any new skin during exfoliation, so make sure to stop if it starts to get painful or raw.
Professional Tattoo Removal – Natural processes don’t always work for everyone, and dark inks can be the toughest to fade. For this reason, going to a professional tattoo removal center might be your best option.
This will also depend on the skin depth of the tattoo ink. Many of the natural lightening options only fade more surface-level inks. Most dermatologists will be able to help you lighten or remove your tattoo using lasers. All of the aforementioned methods for lightening and fading a tattoo will vary in success and time depending on skin type.
This will also depend on the type and size of the tattoo as larger and more colourful tattoos will likely take longer to fade than small, simple ones. In general, many cover up tattoo artists will suggest undergoing a few rounds of tattoo laser removal before getting a cover up.
A normal laser treatment tattoo removal process will take about 12-15 sessions to completely remove the old tattoo. Fading a tattoo for a cover up should only require about 3-4 sessions, and will cost a fraction of the price of full removal.
Will my tattoo lighten up?
Tattoos can get lighter after healing, but it isn’t a given. Your professional tattoo artist will guide you for the aftercare routine, but know that overexposure to sunlight, allergies or the skin losing some of its elasticity could make a tattoo drop quality.
How do you make a glow-in-the-dark tattoo?
Are They Safe? – Because tattoo artists no longer use ink with phosphorus to achieve the glowing effect, glow-in-the-dark tattoos are now generally considered just as safe as a normal tattoo, according to Dr. Nazarian. To replace the chemically dangerous pigments, glow-in-the-dark tattoos are now created using ink that is reactive to UV light.
“They aren’t actually phosphorus-containing true glow-in-the-dark pigments, which would not be safe,” she says. She adds that glow-in-the-dark tattoos are permanent like regular tattoos, and while some colors may change and fade slightly with time, essentially the pigment remains much like regular tattoo pigment.
It’s still important to do your research before going to get your own glow-in-the-dark tattoo. While most tattoo shops have switched to the new light-reactive ink, the presence of phosphorus is still possible. Tattoo ink, in general, is not regulated by the FDA , so there is always the possibility that specific shops or artists still use non-safe pigment.
Also, most major ink manufacturers don’t readily offer a list of ingredients, and even all-natural inks could still contain phosphorus (which is a natural chemical). While you may want to ditch the safety data in favor of a more vibrant tattoo, note that phosphorus-based inks could cause intense swelling , rashes, and burning.
“My recommendation is to always ask about ingredients found in the tattoo pigment, to ensure there’s no phosphorous or any ingredients you may be allergic to,” she says. Forte agrees, “I would ask your artist before getting any tattoos like this. Knowing what’s going into your skin and body is very important.
” And just as with other tattoos, you should follow strict post-care recommendations. Dr. Nazarian recommends applying a thick layer of Aquaphor after washing the area gently every day. Because of the uncertainty around what you’re putting into your skin, be sure you find an artist with a lot of glow-in-the-dark tattooing experience.
You should also speak with your artist extensively about what ink they use. A good artist will understand your concerns and be able to put you at ease. Instead, inquire about using highly pigmented, UV-reactive ink. Such tattoos are naturally fluorescent, 100 percent vegan, and contain no additional chemicals.
How much do glow-in-the-dark tattoos cost?
If you’re currently in the market for a new tattoo, chances are you’ve heard of black light tattoos. Created with special ink, they glow in the dark under UV light — so, do black light tattoos cost more than regular tattoos ? Well, unfortunately yes — they do tend to be slightly more expensive.
- As with all tattoos, specific rates vary based on placement, size, and complexity , but as tattoo artist Scott Cook of Independent Ink tells Bustle over email, “Typically, I only charge a little bit more;
” He goes on to explain, “The main difficulty is having a black light next to you as you work. ” He also notes that the special UV ink is slightly more difficult to work with as well, as it’s “a little bit harder to get into the skin. ” So, how much more exactly are they? Again, price varies greatly depending on the specific tattoo you have in mind and the time it’ll take to complete it, but as a ballpark, Cook explains that he’d generally charge about $50 to $100 more for a fairly-standard $200 tattoo, if he’s working with UV ink.
- Luckily, it’s not too much of a price bump, and shouldn’t act as a huge deterrent — especially since regular tattoos are already pricey (as well they should be, for the time, effort, and expertise they take to complete);
That said, before you shell out the bucks, it’s also worth noting that there hasn’t been as much testing done with UV tattoos, and they aren’t actually FDA-approved , as Bustle previously reported, which means that not all tattoo parlors will do them for you.
Still though, it’s not too difficult to find a reputable place in your area who will get the job done, as long as you do your due diligence with some black light tattoo research. Besides, it’s definitely a hot trend (although it’s been around since the neon-loving days of the ’90s) and there are tons of covetable black light tattoo inspirations all over Instagram and the like.
It’s easy to fall in love with most of the innovative designs. What do you think? Definitely seems worth the extra money to me! Images: jayvoscott /Instagram; Giphy.
How can I fade my tattoo naturally?
Other Tattoo Removal / Fading Options: – Lemon Juice – Prior to getting professional treatment, lemons are a great natural remedy to lighten a tattoo. Lemons are commonly known as a lightening agent for skin. Apply fresh-squeezed or pure lemon juice to your tattoo up to three times a day, and within several weeks, the ink of your tattoo, specifically the darker colours should be noticeably faded.
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.
For this process, you want to first exfoliate your skin safely and naturally with a salt or sugar scrub. After spending a few minutes exfoliating, dab hydrogen peroxide on the area. Ensure that you are not breaking any new skin during exfoliation, so make sure to stop if it starts to get painful or raw.
Professional Tattoo Removal – Natural processes don’t always work for everyone, and dark inks can be the toughest to fade. For this reason, going to a professional tattoo removal center might be your best option.
This will also depend on the skin depth of the tattoo ink. Many of the natural lightening options only fade more surface-level inks. Most dermatologists will be able to help you lighten or remove your tattoo using lasers. All of the aforementioned methods for lightening and fading a tattoo will vary in success and time depending on skin type.
This will also depend on the type and size of the tattoo as larger and more colourful tattoos will likely take longer to fade than small, simple ones. In general, many cover up tattoo artists will suggest undergoing a few rounds of tattoo laser removal before getting a cover up.
A normal laser treatment tattoo removal process will take about 12-15 sessions to completely remove the old tattoo. Fading a tattoo for a cover up should only require about 3-4 sessions, and will cost a fraction of the price of full removal.
Can you cover up a dark tattoo?
What to Do If You Want to Add Color Over Black Ink – This is where things get a bit more complicated. The brighter the colors the more of a challenge it can be. Navy blue is one thing, but hot pink? That’s a whole other story. That said, you’re not without recourse, you just need to approach the tattoo in a whole new way.
For starters, you will need to fade the black tattoo to prepare for a cover-up. This can be effectively accomplished through laser tattoo fading (vs outright removal). In this case state-of-the-art laser technology will be employed to break apart the black ink particles to the point that they become noticeably lighter.
The brighter the colors you want to add for your new tattoo the greater number of laser fading sessions will be required. Yes, this adds to the length of time (months in most cases) it will take before your skin will be prepared to receive the new and preferred tattoo, but it’s worth the investment.
