How laser removal changes a coverup

One of the biggest factors determining a cover-up tattoo's success is the existing tattoo. Dark, saturated, or heavily outlined tattoos can significantly limit what an artist can design over the top.

Laser tattoo removal can be a great option to consider when thinking about a cover up.

Laser tattoo removal doesn’t always need to completely remove a tattoo. In many cases, just a few sessions can lighten the old tattoo enough to increase cover-up options. By reducing the darkness and contrast of the existing tattoo, an artist immediately has more flexibility in the overall design.

Without laser removal, cover-ups often need to be larger, darker and contain heavier shading and/or layers of opaques to effectively hide the tattoo underneath. After laser treatment, artists can focus more on creating the best possible tattoo rather than simply trying to conceal what’s underneath.

If you’re looking to cover up some old work, it’s worth consulting your tattoo artist and being open to the possibility of having a few laser tattoo removal sessions. Even a few laser sessions upfront can make a dramatic difference to the final result and help ensure your new tattoo looks like a fresh piece of artwork, not just a cover-up.