How To Hide A Tattoo?

How To Hide A Tattoo
#1 Use Makeup – When it is important, professionally applied airbrush concealer is hands down the most effective way to hide your tattoo. It is also the most expensive. For every day, buy a couple shades of concealer that are lighter and darker than your skin tone and learn to apply them over your tattoo.

This will take some practice, as hiding with cosmetics is difficult even for skilled makeup professionals. Practice makes perfect and soon covering up will be just another part of your repertoire before leaving the house.

We highly recommend Dermablend’s three-step combination of tattoo primer, body makeup and setting powder. It’s available at Sephora. Check out this Dermablend tattoo cover-up! Other products available online that we recommend are the lightweight Colortration or the heavier waterproof cover-up TattooCamo.

How can I hide a tattoo from my parents?

Download Article Download Article While tattoos are becoming more and more commonplace–an estimated 1 in 5 people have at least one tattoo–but that doesn’t mean your mom, dad, or great grandma Joanne are down with you getting inked. Read on for suggestions on how to successfully keep your tattoo a secret from your parents, and what to do if they find out.

  1. 1 Pick something small. Now is not the time for that full sleeve of a koi fish. A smaller tattoo will be much easier to hide, as it will take less effort to cover it. If your parents surprise you and your tiny tattoo is in full view, you can even slap your hand over it so they won’t see.
    • A small tattoo shouldn’t be extremely detailed, as the fine lines will spread over time and blur the design. A simple and bold design will age better.
    • Think shapes like hearts and stars, arrows, crosses, musical notes, flowers, anchors, or paw prints. Or if you have major hometown pride, ask for a very simple, single-line representation of the skyline of your city.
    • A small tattoo might be easier to accept if they find out or you eventually show them. It might be the “ice breaker” that makes it easier for you to proceed with larger pieces.
  2. 2 Get the tattoo somewhere hidden or easy to cover. There are plenty of spots on your body your parents rarely see, and these are great places to hide a tattoo. Keep the seasons in mind when you are thinking about a good spot–if you run around in a bathing suit all summer your back-of-the-shoulder tattoo will be in full-view. [1]
    • Conspicuous or easily hidden spots include the inside of your lower lip, behind your ear, your ribs, your ankle, your foot, the inside of your wrist, your back.
    • Areas like the inside of the lip and bottom of the foot, and hands will fade much faster than other areas of the body, because those areas are constantly shedding cells and regenerating skin.

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  3. 3 Try white ink. If you have pale, un-freckled skin, you may want to consider a white tattoo. Geometric patterns are especially striking in white, and white ink will be far less noticeable than other colors.
    • It is imperative you get the tattoo where it will see as little sunlight as possible–even with a powerful SPF the sun can cause the white ink to disappear, just leaving some raised bumps and the memories of your rad tattoo. [2]
  4. 4 Go to a reputable shop. You may be tempted to go the stick-and-poke route, especially if you are under 18, but rethink that notion. Even if you sterilize the needles, you risk a serious infection, from skin infections to hepatitis to HIV. Plus, they rarely turn out very well. [3]
    • Bond with your friend not by giving each other stick-and-poke tattoos (and potentially a staph infection), but by going to the shop together and supporting each other as you get tattooed.
    • Check out the shop online and choose an artist you want to work with, whose style fits with your concept.
    • Go into the shop to make an appointment and speak with the artist. The shop should be clean, and smell like soap and cleaning supplies. If not, go somewhere else.
    • For a small piece, you may be able to get tattooed as a walk-in, but the best tattoo artists are usually booked up well in advance.
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  1. 1 Follow the artist’s care instructions exactly. If you get an infection, you’re going to have to tell your parents, because you may need medical treatment. Tattoo aftercare includes not picking at or scratching your skin, which could make your parents suspicious, anyway.
    • Don’t try to hide your new tattoo by re-wrapping it. The tattoo artist will cover the piece immediately after tattooing and instruct you when to take it off. Do not wrap it again, with a bandage, cloth, or anything else.
    • Tattoos cannot be submerged in water for at least two weeks afterwards, so if you are on the swim team, wait until the off-season.
    • Tattoos can “weep” for a few days, so be aware some fluid (clear or the color of your tattoo) may soak through your clothes. You should try to wear something loose anyway, so the tattoo can get air and heal.
  2. 2 Cover the tattoo with makeup. Once your tattoo is fully healed, you can disguise it with makeup. There is high-quality makeup made for this specific purpose, and it actually works. Many are strong enough to stay on all day, won’t rub off, and may even be waterproof. [4]
    • In a pinch you can use white face paint to cover a tattoo. Paint two layers over your tattoo (allowing the paint to dry in between layers), then cover with liquid foundation the color of your skin. A spritz of hairspray can help keep it in place. [5]
    • If your tattoo is very dark or has bring colors, purchase a primer as well. This will neutralize the colors of the tattoo so it won’t show through your coverup. [6]
  3. 3 Hide it with clothes and accessories. If you strategically placed your tattoo, it should be easy to hide with long sleeves, a thick watch band or bracelet, a bandaid or a ring. Just wearing your hair down can cover a tattoo behind your ear or on the back of your neck.
  4. 4 Be non-committal if the subject of tattoos comes up. Try not to be adamantly anti-tattoo. Say something like, “Actually, I think they can be really beautiful if they’re done well. ” You could even hint that you would consider getting one someday. If you say there’s absolutely no way you would ever get one in a million years and then your parents see the one you’ve been hiding, you’re going to come off as a bigger liar.
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  1. 1 Expect to be punished. You got caught, prepare to deal with the consequences. Whining, screaming, and making a scene isn’t going to help you prove to your parents that you are more than an impulsive child.
  2. 2 Apologize for concealing the tattoo from them. Acknowledging that you were wrong to lie shows maturity, and they may eventually realize you are old enough and mature enough to make decisions about what you do with your own body. This is another good reason to avoid the stick-and-poke–it makes a better impression if you made smart, safe choices when you got your piece and they don’t have to worry about your health, too.
    • Bringing up that it’s your body and you can do what you want with it might not go well in the heat of the moment. It is a valid point, but probably one to be made once things have cooled down and you can talk rationally about your decision.
  3. 3 Make up a compelling reason why you got the tattoo. It’s sort of a dirty trick, but if you say your tiny heart tattoo is to remind you of your dearly departed grandpa, your parents might soften a little. Or if you got a crucifix, tell them it’s tied to your faith and to remind you to be a good Christian, or your shamrock tattoo is to keep you grounded in your Irish roots.
    • This works best with broad, symbolic tattoos that you can easily connect to something significant.
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Add New Question

  • Question Would it be easy to hide a tattoo on the side of my foot? It’s one of the easiest places to hide a tattoo. When going outside, wear sneakers. You can also try wearing socks or using make-up concealer when wearing sandals.
  • Question How do I hide a tattoo when I have to go to the doctor for checkups? Try heavy foundation or powder that matches your skin tone. Don’t use bandaids to cover up the tattoo, though, because the doctor will think it’s an abrasion and may want to take the bandaid off to check it out. You probably don’t need to worry unless your parents are present for the examination, though. A doctor isn’t likely to say, “Hey, did you know your daughter has a tattoo?”
  • Question Can a tattoo be erased? Otterbarrone Community Answer You can get it removed either with a laser, or with a special cream. The cream is quite expensive, but the laser hurts more than getting the actual tattoo done.
  • Question If I ever get a tattoo on my back, shoulder, or arm, could I still wear tank tops during the healing process? Yes, as long as it isn’t too tight fitting. Make sure it’s cotton so your tattoo can breathe.
  • Question How can I hide my back tattoo while wearing a swimsuit? Wear a swimsuit that covers more of your back, such as a one piece or tankini.
  • Question Can I get a tattoo on my private parts, such as my butt or breast? Yes, you can. These places might be a bit more painful.
  • Question Can I get a tattoo as a child? No. You cannot legally get a tattoo until you are at least 16 or 18, depending on where you live.
  • Question Can I get in the shower 2-3 weeks after getting my tattoo? You can shower the day you get a tattoo. However, you should avoid very hot water, long showers, and submerging your tattoo for at least a month. (Make sure to clean the tattoo to avoid infection though. )
  • Question What place will allow me to get a tattoo if I’m only 14? Many tattoo places will let you get a tattoo. However, you will need a parent or guardian’s signature.
  • Question Would I be able to get someone to pretend to be my parents so that I’ll have permission? Eliza Weinberger Community Answer You could, but if they find out, there could, in theory, be impersonation or fraud charges. Do so at your own risk.

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  • Legally, you must be 18 to get a tattoo without your parent’s permission. (In most states)

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Can you temporarily cover up a tattoo?

Step 5: Apply Concealer – Choose a concealer that is closest to your skin tone and apply it with a beauty blender. You will likely have to mix a few colors together to get the right tone. Repeat this until your tattoo is completely covered and the area matches the surrounding skin.

How do you cover a new tattoo for school?

How To Cover and Conceal Tattoos | Quick and Detailed Makeup Routine

Cover the fresh ink with loose clothing. Clothing is the easiest and quickest way to cover a new tattoo at work. Wear loose, breathable garments to hide the tattoo without irritating it. Choose long sleeves and pants to cover ink on your limbs, and high-waisted pants or a tucked-in shirt to cover lower back tattoos.

Where do tattoos hurt the least?

Is there a cream to remove tattoos?

What’s in a Tattoo Removal Cream?How To Hide A Tattoo – There are a variety of tattoo removal creams on the market. The most trusted, popular products tend to include at least one of two important active ingredients: Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and hydroquinone. TCA removes the top layer of skin and penetrates some of the underlying layers to effectively remove most of that tattoo ink.

Can I put a bandaid on my tattoo to hide it?

Your tattoo needs to breathe, so once you remove the original bandage — usually it’ll be bandaged in clear plastic or surgical wrap by the artist — it’s best not to cover it. Wrapping it may result in extra moisture and a lack of oxygen, which can cause scabbing and slow healing.

Can I cover my tattoo with makeup?

Now you see it, now you don’t! These days, tattoos are so commonplace it’s becoming increasingly rare to meet someone who doesn’t have one (or several). And it isn’t odd to see your local tattoo parlors crowded during the end of year holiday season — a new year and new beginnings call for permanent declarations in the form of body art. But if you want to conceal your ink for whatever reason (perhaps last new year’s eve tattoo no longer rings true) you may turn to makeup as your go-to tattoo cover up.

  • Whatever the case, the good news is that it’s pretty easy to conceal a tattoo if you have the right makeup products, like tattoo concealer;
  • If you’re waiting for us to reveal the bad news you can breathe a sigh of relief because there isn’t any — you just need the right techniques to go along with that concealer;

So follow along with our step-by-step tutorial for the best tattoo cover-up routine using concealer, foundation, and a handy makeup blender to hide your tattoos.

What is the tattoo Vanish method?

Tattoo Vanish Removes the Ink Instead of Absorbing It into Your Body. With laser tattoo removal, the ink that is broken down by the laser is not removed from the surface of the skin, but rather absorbed into the body. Your lymphatic system will remove the ink from your body, and you will excrete it when you urinate.

Can you cover a black 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.

How can I make my tattoo fade faster?

Download Article Download Article While results can be mixed, there are a couple of ways to reduce the appearance of unwanted tattoos without resorting to surgery. 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.

  1. 1 Use common household items to lighten your tattooed skin naturally. Lemon and lime juice , glycolic acid, and hydrogen peroxide can all produce mild bleaching action when applied directly to the skin. Chances are, you have one or more of these items sitting around in your pantry or medicine cabinet right now. [1]
    • Some holistic skincare experts also swear by the skin-lightening properties of undiluted essential oils, such as lavender oil.
    • Avoid mixing multiple lightening agents. Not only will this not make them more effective, it could cause an unsafe chemical reaction.
    • The actual effectiveness of topical skin lightening solutions is up for debate. If you decide to experiment with any of these substances, you’ll be doing so at your own risk. There’s a chance that they may not work permanently, or that they could result in scarring or similar damage. [2]
  2. 2 Try a tattoo remover cream if you’d rather use a commercial product. There are a number of creams, lotions, and gels on the market that claim to be able to rapidly fade subdermal ink. If you’re not interested in DIY solutions, consider giving one of these products a shot. Keep in mind, however, that there’s no hard evidence that they make much of a difference. [3]
    • Ask your tattoo artist if they have any recommendations for tattoo remover products that do what they’re advertised to do.
    • Tattoo removers often contain harsh chemicals, and could lead to irritation or even permanent scarring if applied regularly or incorrectly. [4]

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  3. 3 Rub your skin lightener of choice onto the tattoo until it’s fully absorbed. Saturate a washcloth, clean sponge, or folded strip of gauze with the liquid, then apply it to directly to your skin. You can do this by either blotting the area or covering the entire tattoo with the cloth, sponge, or gauze, if it’s small enough. What’s important is that the liquid makes contact with every part of the ink. [5]
    • For best results, allow your skin lightener to sit on your skin for 5-10 minutes after applying it.
    • You may need a helping hand if you’re attempting to fade a tattoo on your back or another hard-to-reach spot.

    Tip: Test your lightening agent on a small, out-of-the-way patch of skin before applying it over a larger area to make sure you won’t react negatively to it. [6]

  4. 4 Continue treating your tattoo 3-5 times a day until you see results. Get in the habit of applying your lightening agent at least twice throughout the course of the day—once in the morning and once in the evening. You’ll need to be persistent with your chosen home remedy if it’s to have any effect.
    • Stop using a particular skin lightener if it begins to cause redness, irritation, blistering, or peeling. [7]
    • Even with continual applications, there’s a chance that your tattoo may not lose its vibrancy.
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  1. 1 Mix up a basic homemade salt scrub. Combine ½ a cup (100 g) of coarse sea salt with 1 ⁄ 4 – 1 ⁄ 3 cup (59–79 mL) of olive, coconut, or almond oil in a small lidded container. Keep the container with the rest of your hygiene products, on your bedside table, or somewhere else where you’ll see it and remember to use it every day. [8]
    • If you like, you can also add a few drops of fragrant essential oils and some dried botanical elements to your salt scrub. This won’t affect its abrasive properties, but it will make it smell more pleasant. [9]
    • Salt scrubs are natural, easy to make, and highly effective as far as exfoliants go.
  2. 2 Pick up a gentle, vitamin-infused body scrub if you have sensitive skin. If you don’t like the idea of grinding a scratchy salt paste onto your extremities, you also have the option of buying a gentle commercial exfoliant designed specifically to nourish and protect skin. Along with abrasive elements, these products boast vitamins, minerals, and other key nutrients as main ingredients. [10]
    • Look for scrubs containing Vitamin C, which is especially good for maintaining soft, clear, glowing skin. [11]
    • Alternatively, you could try making your own nourishing body scrub using things like white or brown sugar, Epsom salts, shea butter, honey, coffee grounds, and aloe vera gel.
  3. 3 Apply a small amount of exfoliant directly to the tattoo. Scoop up a quarter-sized glob of your scrub with two fingers to start with and rub it onto the entire area. Smooth on additional exfoliant as needed to ensure that each part of the tattoo is covered with a thin layer.
    • You may need to use quite a bit of scrub if the tattoo you’re trying to erase is particularly large.
  4. 4 Massage the scrub into the tattoo vigorously using a pumice stone. Rather than trying to work the exfoliant in with your fingers, grab a pumice stone and rub it over the tattoo using small, circular motions. Apply light, steady pressure, and be careful not to scrub too hard. Do this for 30-60 seconds. [12]
    • Before you begin scrubbing, soak your pumice stone in a bowl of warm water. This will help it slide across your skin and cut down on unnecessary resistance. [13]
    • The pumice stone will cover a larger area and provide additional scouring power.

    Tip: The idea is to take off the outermost layer of skin a little at a time. Minor discomfort is normal, but if it hurts, try using a softer touch.

  5. 5 Rinse the area thoroughly with lukewarm water. Hold the exfoliated tattoo under a gentle stream to wash away the accumulated scrub and dead skin. Your skin will likely feel a little raw, so avoid using water that’s too hot, along with soaps or cleansers that might irritate or dry it out even more. [14]
    • It may be easier to hop in the shower if you can’t easily rinse your tattoo under the sink, or if you’re trying to fade multiple pieces at once.
    • If you like, you can apply little moisturizer after exfoliating to soothe and protect your skin. [15]
  6. 6 Repeat your exfoliation routine 2-3 times a day for about a month. In all likelihood, you’ll start to see a noticeable difference after a few weeks. Assuming you don’t, your only remaining option will be to talk to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon about a formal tattoo removal procedure. [16]
    • Discontinue treatment immediately if you experience severe or prolonged skin irritation.
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  1. 1 Talk to your dermatologist about a laser removal procedure. Laser removal is the only method that has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of tattoos. During the procedure, specially-trained technicians use concentrated streams of light to break up the ink sitting deep below the surface of the skin. [17]
    • If you want guaranteed, permanent results, it’s highly recommended that you save up your money for a course of laser treatment.
    • While tattoo laser removal is extremely effective, it’s not quick or cheap—a single session can cost as much as $500, and in many cases it can take 2-6 sessions before you start to see a significant difference. [18]
    • Make sure you go to a licensed, reputable laser technician to get a tattoo removed. [19]
  2. 2 Receive a series of chemical peels to erase the tattoo gradually. This type of treatment is sometimes referred to as “chemical resurfacing. ” The way it works is that highly acidic chemicals are applied directly to the top layer of skin, causing it to die. After it sloughs off, the area is given time to heal, eventually leaving behind smooth, clear skin. [20]
    • Chemical peels were the most popular tattoo removal method before the introduction of light-based procedures. Even so, reports vary as to how well they work.
    • These treatments are not without risk. Possible complications include severe chemical burns and permanent scarring. [21]
  3. 3 Undergo surgery to have the tattoo partially removed. With traditional surgery, plastic surgeons actually cut out the layers of skin sitting on top of the embedded ink. The tattoo will no longer be as visible once new skin has grown in its place. [22]
    • Surgery can successfully fade tattoos to some degree, but in many cases surgeons aren’t safely able to cut deep enough to extract the majority of the ink. [23]
    • Like chemical peels it’s possible for a surgical operation to leave scars, bumps, discoloration, and other imperfections.
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Add New Question

  • Question How can I make my tattoo fade faster? Grant Lubbock is a Tattoo Artist and Co-Owner of Red Baron Ink, a tattoo salon based in New York City. Grant has over 10 years of tattooing experience and he specializes in neo-traditional, black/grey, and color tattoos. Red Baron Ink’s main goal is for each tattoo coming out of their studio to be one of a kind custom pieces that will look good throughout a lifetime. Tattoo Artist Expert Answer Skip out on applying moisturizing lotions to your tattoo since they can actually prevent tattoos from fading.

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  • You’re more likely to see a difference in tattoos in high-friction areas, such as your hands, feet, thighs, or the insides of your upper arms. [24]
  • Don’t worry if your tattoo doesn’t disappear altogether—partially-faded tattoos are easier and less expensive to have removed than ones that are still bold.

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  • There’s no guarantee that any of the methods described here will be successful. If you want to get rid of a tattoo for good, your best bet is to consult a qualified skin care professional.
  • Ultraviolet light has been shown to help fade tattoos over time. However, it’s not recommended that you spend more time in the sun or tanning bed, as excessive exposure is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer.

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How much does it cost to remove a tattoo?

Types of tattoo removal

Method Average cost Sessions
Surgical removal $200-$1,500, based on anecdotal reports 1, though larger tattoos may require more
Dermabrasion several hundred to thousands of dollars, according to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery 1

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How soon after a tattoo can you shower?

How Soon After a Tattoo Can I Shower? – Your first shower after a new tattoo can be the day after you got the tattoo. That could be between 12 and 48 hours. Sometimes, the tattoo becomes messy after a night of oozing blood and ink. In order for the tattoo to start healing properly, you need to give it a light wash with antibacterial soap and lukewarm water.

  1. After 48 hours, your tattoo should be good for water exposure, but only once or twice a day;
  2. During the first week, it is essential not to expose the tattoo to the water for longer periods;
  3. This will prevent the tattoo from drying and forming a new skin layer;

In such a case, your tattoo could get infected. Note : we also recommend you avoid sweat-inducing activities, like working out, jogging, etc. Sweat carries bacteria that can infect the tattoo. Furthermore, sweating prevents the tattoo from drying out, which could also lead to an infection.

What do you do first 24 hours after a tattoo?

Aftercare for Your Tattoo – So, how can you make sure that new tattoo is something you don’t end up regretting? Follow these steps while your new tattoo heals.

  1. Be sure your artist covers your new tattoo in a thin layer of petroleum jelly and a bandage.
  2. Remove the bandage after 24 hours. Gently wash the tattoo with antimicrobial soap and water  and be sure to pat dry.
  3. Apply a layer of antibacterial/Vaseline ointment twice a day, but don’t put on another bandage.
  4. Gently wash your tattoo area twice a day with soap and water and gently pat dry before reapplying the antibacterial/Vaseline ointment.
  5. Keep applying a moisturizer or ointment after you clean it to keep it moist.

You should repeat this process for 2 to 4 weeks. Also try not to wear clothes that will stick to your tattoo, and avoid swimming and the sun for about 2 weeks. And take cool showers. Scalding hot water will not only hurt, but it can also fade the ink. Wear a physical blocker sunscreen  with at least 7% zinc oxide sunscreen during the daylight hours and/or cover it up (with clothing, a bandage).

Do and don’ts after tattoo?

How do I tell my mom I got a tattoo?

Should I tell my parents I got a tattoo?

Wait Until the Tattoo Heals Completely – Do not tell your parents about the tattoo until it has healed completely. Be sure you are washing the area regularly using mild soap and water and apply a healing ointment (usually, a quality tattoo shop will give this to you) to help with healthy skin repair.

Where do tattoos fade the most?