How to Remove or Cover Up Tattoos

Tattoos become a permanent part of the body when the cells underneath the top layer of skin absorb the ink from the tattoo. There are many fad methods of tattoo removal. There are creams that advertise great results, however none have been proven to work well. Laser treatment is the most effective method of tattoo removal. However, there is pain associated with the procedure. A temporary solution is to cover the tattoo with concealer.

Things You'll Need

• Soap
• Pads
• Concealer
• Brush
• Powder

Instructions

Using Concealer

1. Wash the area of the tattoo thoroughly with soap and water. Oil on the skin will prevent the concealer from adhering.

2. Dry the area.

3. Use a pad to apply concealer to the area. Work from the outside of the tattoo inwards. Do not dip the pad into the concealer once it has touched skin, as this will contaminate the concealer with bacteria.

4. Loosely pat down the concealer. Do not press too hard, otherwise the tattoo will show through.

5. Brush powder on top of the concealer.

6. Repeat steps three to six until you get the desired result.

Laser Treatment

1. Apply the provided topical anesthetic to the tattoo area.

2. Allow the technician to perform the laser removal procedure. It will only take a few minutes.

3. Return for the procedure every six to eight weeks.

4. Allow for five to fifteen removal sessions before the tattoo is removed. The amount of procedures needed depends on skin tone, the colors of the tattoo, the type of ink used, and the tattoo depth.

References

• "The Makeup Artist Handbook: Techniques for Film, Television, Photography, and Theatre"; Gretchen Davis and Mindy Hall; 2008
• Dr. Tattoff: All About Laser Tattoo Removal