How Can I Make My Tattoo Fade?

People sometimes regret prominent tattoos.

Tattoos are a permanent investment. They are designed to last forever, and surgical removal takes several rounds of painful laser treatment. Since tattoos naturally degrade over time, some fading is to be expected, especially when the ink has not been traced over since the initial application. If you want to hasten the fading process and minimize a tattoo's appearance, there are a few tactics to employ.

Instructions

1. Apply a topical, commercially-available tattoo-removal cream to significantly fade your ink. The Tattoo Removal Institute conducted a study that found that only two brands of cream, Tattoo-OFF and TatBGone, work effectively. Tattoo-OFF is the gentler option fortified with extracts from plants. Apply removal creams daily for several consecutive months.

2. Keep your tattoos uncovered as often as you can. Exposure to natural sun rays will help promote color loss, and when you get a tan, your tattoo is even less visible. Wear light materials such as cotton over your unwanted tattoo, and avoid thick denim, which blocks out UV rays. Practice sun-bathing and tanning safely so as to avoid leathery skin or cancer due to overexposure.

3. Stay dry. Moisture in the skin will help keep your tattoo fresh and vibrant, while dry skin fades a tattoo over time. Don't apply lotions or creams to your tattoo unless you want to preserve it. Don't deny yourself adequate water, but do skip the area containing your unwanted ink while applying lotion and sun block if you want to speed up the fading process naturally, without the use of medicated removal creams or surgery. Frequent swimming will also dry out and fade your tattoo because of the chlorine in the water.

References

• Tattoo Removal Institute: Study of "Do-it-Yourself" Tattoo Fade Away Creams
• Save Your Tattoo: The Sun's Damaging UV Rays and Dry Skin Fade the Bright Colors of Tattoos