How To Fade A Tattoo While It Is Healing?

Turning To Sugar Scrubs and Hydrogen Peroxide – Exfoliation is generally known as highly effective in removing dead skin cells and excess skin as well. Many argue that exfoliation can also be effective for natural tattoo fading. However, on their own, sugar or salt scrubs can’t really do much since they do no penetrate into the skin layer, or dermis to be more specific.

So, what’s the best way to utilize sugar or salt scrubs. Well, the best method is to first exfoliate the skin with a body srub, leaving it clean and distraction-free. Try to exfoliate for at least 5 to 10 minutes, without being too harsh on the skin; let the sugar/salt do its thing.

Then, one should apply a dab of hydrogen peroxide onto the tattoo with a cotton swab. Sure enough, you won’t be seeing any results right away. This method requires repetition for at least a month. Try not to over scrub your skin during that period, because it might be counterproductive.

Contents

0.1 Does hydrogen peroxide fade tattoos?
- 0.1.1 Can you make a dark tattoo lighter?
0.2 Does Vaseline fade tattoos?
- 0.2.1 How can I lighten my tattoo naturally?

1 What pulls ink out of a tattoo?
2 How can I remove my permanent tattoo without laser?
- - 2.0.1 How do you remove a homemade tattoo?

How can I make my new 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 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 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 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 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.

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 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 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 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 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 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.

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 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 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.

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.

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 do you fade a fresh tattoo?

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 fade while healing?

A Tattoo Will Fade Faster When You Don’t Maintain Care – Most people follow aftercare for their tattoo within the weeks and even months of getting it done. However over time this attention to your tattoo begins to subside. The sooner this happens the sooner it will fade.

A tattoo that is poorly maintained can begin to experience some very slight fading after the first year. A tattoo that receives the appropriate care may not experience noticeable fading for many years – even a decade! The standard falls somewhere in the middle of that.

The key, is to understand the things that cause a tattoo to fade. These include the following: – Poor initial care (from the moment you leave the shop) – Excessive sun exposure – Poor overall skin care – Poor overall nutrition (yes, diet can have an impact!) – Continuous friction – Excessive weight gain ( view more ) For greater insight into the above, please reference our guide to the six things that cause a tattoo to fade , which includes instructions for how to prevent it from happening.

Does hydrogen peroxide fade tattoos?

Hydrogen Peroxide and Tattoo Ink — The Uncanny Link – Hard to think that a common household chemical such as hydrogen peroxide could help fade tattoo ink. But look no further as today we’re going to tell you how it works. Hydrogen peroxide is used chiefly as a disinfectant.

However, continuously rubbing over your tattooed skin can erode many dead skin cells, leading to the lightening of the tattoo;
The process is known as exfoliation, removes dead or excess skin;
Coupled with hydrogen peroxide dabbing, it can significantly decrease the visibility of a tattoo, and can even remove old or superficial tattoos completely;

The disclaimer to be noted is that tattoo ink is usually deposited in the second layer of the skin, under the epidermis. Due to this, erosion of the superficial can only lighten it to an extent. For the complete removal of high-quality, solid imprints, you will need to seek out surgical help.

Can you make a dark tattoo lighter?

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. .

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 lighten my tattoo naturally?

Using Lemon Juice – Lemons, or lemon juice, are known to be natural lightening agents , suitable for use on the skin. Some cultures even use lemon juice to fix skin pigmentation issues or to lighten their skin. Even though this practice might be problematic in regards to race issues, it is still suitable for the event of tattoo lightening.

The bleaching effect of lemon juice in regards to tattoos is, however, just anecdotal. Some use lime juice as well or add glycolic acid and hydrogen peroxide to improve the effects, but we are not sure about the effectiveness nor safety of these products.

So, what can you do? Here’s the safest way to use lemon juice in tattoo lightening; Use lemon or lime and squeeze the juice. Apply the freshly squeezed juice onto the tattoo 2 to 3 times per day. Continue doing this for up to a month and you should see light fading of the tattoo.

What pulls ink out of a tattoo?

This site may earn affiliate commissions from the links on this page. Terms of use. Getting a tattoo is not a decision to rush into without thinking things through. After all, it’s no walk in the park to get ink out of your skin after you’ve had it injected by way of thousands upon thousands of needle punctures. At least it isn’t easy right now. PhD student Alec Falkenham at Dalhousie University is working on a cream that he thinks will be able to remove an ill conceived tattoo without further abusing your skin.

Tattooing has been around in one form or another for thousands of years. While the modern practice relies on electric tattoo machines that jab you with needles at high speed, the basic principle is the same as it ever was — a sharp object punctures the skin and deposits a small droplet of ink.

Do this enough times and you can draw solid lines and shapes. The cellular process that occurs during the healing process is what makes the ink stick around for decades and also what enables Falkenham’s process, known as bisphosphonate liposomal tattoo removal (or BLRT), to supposedly wipe the skin clean.

When ink is introduced by a tattoo machine it ends up in the epidermis (which peels off during healing) and the top few layers of the dermis;
As with all foreign material, this elicits an immune response;

On the front line of the immune system are macrophages, giant white blood cells that gobble up anything that seems like it shouldn’t be there. That is, anything that isn’t you. Some of the ink is carried out of the skin by macrophages and into the lymph nodes, but most of it remains trapped inside macrophages and fibroblasts (skin cells) that become part of the healed matrix of connective tissue. To get that ink out, you have to destroy these cells with ink locked up inside. The current leading method of doing this is with a laser that introduces sufficient energy to destroy the target cells. Not only is this process even more painful than tattooing, it can take many treatments and a lot of cash. BLRT can apparently accomplish the same task without causing damage to surrounding skin. When the cream is applied to a tattoo, the active compounds absorb into the skin where they encounter the macrophages left over from the tattooing process. Just as the macrophages originally consumed the ink particles, they will pick up the newly arrived particles and sign their own death warrant. The macrophages die and a new wave of macrophages spring into action to remove the debris. Falkenham believes that after enough applications, the ink from the original tattoo could be mostly cleared.

That’s why tattoos are forever. The key is those inky macrophages embedded in the skin. Rather than heating them until they burst, BLRT delivers a drug that kills the cells without harming surrounding tissues.

Early estimates suggest weekly applications for a few months, but lasers aren’t particularly fast either. Falkenham is testing BLRT in the lab right now and plan to begin trials on pigs that were tattooed with ID numbers at birth. If all goes as planned, human trials could begin in a few years.

Will lemon juice fade a tattoo?

Lemon and Salt – Salt is rich in sodium and chlorine, and lemon juice has bleaching properties. Salt penetrates deep into the skin and helps the ink to fade out, and the vitamin C in lemon juice replenishes the skin. Therefore, this is a great way to remove a permanent tattoo with lemon juice.

Can I get my tattoo touched up after 3 weeks?

What is your touch up policy? – Sometimes, due to circumstances out of our control, there may be spots on your tattoo that don’t heal properly. As long as we can tell you made an effort to take care of your tattoos, we will do a touch up on your tattoo within the first 3 months of you getting a tattoo.

Do tattoos darken as they heal?

Reasons Why a Black Tattoo Might Fade – A black healing tattoo turning gray is perfectly natural and isn’t necessarily something to worry about. Most tattoos will darken again once healed, but some will remain lighter, and this is completely natural.

What oils fade tattoos?

Tea Tree Oil – Pros:

Tea Tree oil is antibacterial, antiseptic, antiviral, antimicrobial, and can cure wounds.
Its powerful antiseptic properties are an excellent and well-known option for acne-prone skin.
Tea Tree oil can treat dry skin. Regular use may keep your skin moisturized, supple, and soft.

Cons:

Tea Tree Oil should be diluted with a carrier oil such as coconut oil, almond oil or olive oil.
Use Tea Tree oil with caution as it may cause irritation and swelling for some people.
Tea Tree oil can potentially throw off your skin’s PH balance and negatively affect the skins moisture barrier, leaving your tattoos looking dull and faded.
Tea Tree oil can cause allergic skin rash and dryness. Don’t use it if your skin is dry, flaking, scaly, or irritated.
The risk of skin irritation is higher if the oil is applied to dry or broken skin. Always do a patch test.

Those are just four natural oils that you can use to keep your skin moisturized. There are many more oils such as:

Argan Oil
Rosehip Seed Oil
Jojoba Oil
Almond Oil
Sunflower Seed Oil
Olive Oil
Sea Buckthorn Oil
Pomegranate Seed Oil

During the research and development stages of Inked Ritual’s Anti-Fade Serum , we tested an extensive amount of natural ingredients, including the above oils. But not all ingredients tested, met the benchmarks required for our anti-fading tattoo serum formula. We did not include any oils in Inked Ritual Tattoo Care for several reasons:

Oils molecule size is too large to deeply penetrating into the skin.
Oils cannot effectively transport active ingredients into the skin.
Oils are comedogenic, can clog pores, and cause irritation.
Oils can leave the skin sticky, greasy, and uncomfortable.
Oils can have an overpowering fragrance.

So just a recap, that the above four natural oils are great to moisturize your skin’s epidermis (outer surface). However, they offer limited benefits when it comes to anti-aging and skin rejuvenation for your tattoos. This is where Inked Ritual outshines, by including all of the bio-active natural ingredients that nourish your skin below the epidermis to keep your tattoos bold and vibrant.

TIP: If you want to take your skincare ritual up a notch for those tattoos, you can use the above oils in combination with Inked Ritual Tattoo Serum, in a layering fashion. Simply apply Inked Ritual first, and after it’s dried, apply your choice of oil or moisturizer over top.

This product layering is not necessary but it will lock in Inked Ritual’s active ingredients. Do you know what is in INKED RITUAL’s Tattoo Care a nd why it out performs any other tattoo skincare product for your tattoos? Learn more: INKED RITUAL’s Bio-Active Tattoo Aftercare Ingredients.

Can Apple cider vinegar remove tattoos?

Apple cider on skin or an abrasion will damage it, increase scarring and will not remove the tattoo.

How can I get rid of my tattoo without laser?

Final Thoughts On Non Laser Tattoo Removal – Overall, there are numerous no laser tattoo removal methods. From medical procedures to homemade remedies, you can easily get the ingredients and products needed to remove the permanent ink off your body. You can opt for surgical removal if your tattoo is small enough, or you can go for dermabrasion and scrape off the top layer of your skin.

Apart from this, you can consult a specialist, and they can prescribe a topical cream that will slowly fade the tattoo away;
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How long does it take for a tattoo to fade?

What to Expect After Laser Tattoo Removal – As a result of the revolutionary Discovery Pico laser, patients can expect to be blown away by the results of their tattoo removal, especially because Discovery Pico can work to remove tattoos that otherwise are seen as poor candidates for treatment or removal.

Following treatment, a temporary reaction known as “frosting” is common. This reaction is best described as a steam buildup under the skin which occurs as your skin reacts to the heat energy produced by the Discovery Pico laser.

It subsides within the hour following treatment. Depending on the skin type and inks used in a tattoo, temporary crusting and blistering may occur after laser tattoo removal. Tattoos will begin to fade within the first two to three weeks after treatment.

Will lemon juice fade a tattoo?

How can I remove my permanent tattoo without laser?

Costs – It’s important to consider your budget first before selecting which treatment will be worth it. Out of the three prescribed procedures, surgical removal is the cheapest at $150 to $350. Next is the laser tattoo removal at a national average of $463 , according to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

How do you remove a homemade tattoo?

Different Ways of Natural Home Tattoo Removal – As laser tattoo removal is often a laser resort, there are many strategies people attempt prior. Here are some of the most common ones.

Salt and Lemon Juice Cream

This homemade tattoo removal cream lightens the skin and the unwanted tattoo, as the lemon acts as bleach. The coarse salt acts as an exfoliator – to scrub off layers of skin and those with tattoo ink.

Aloe Vera Gel and Yoghurt Cream

There is no evidence at this point whether aloe vera has any function on the skin besides treating skin rashes, burns, and hydrating and moisturising skin. But for tattoo removal purposes, the thick paste should be applied to the tattooed area for 30 minutes, four times a day, to remove your tattoo naturally.

Table Salt Scrub

According to this at home tattoo removal method, you should apply table salt to a moist gauze sponge and sand down your skin where the tattoo is situated. You’ll have to continue doing this for at least 30 minutes. After about a week, you should be able to peel off the upper layer of skin. Once this has healed, continue the process every six to eight weeks until you have peeled off enough skin layers to eliminate the tattoo pigments.

Julia