When Can You Tattoo Over Laser Tattoo Removal?

While most of our clients come to see us because they want to completely remove a tattoo, it’s not at all uncommon for our clients to simply be clearing the canvas, if you will, because they plan on getting another tattoo in its place.

What is Laser Tattoo Removal?

Laser tattoo removal is non invasive and does not cause damage to the surrounding tissue. Essentially, the laser will break apart ink particles in your dermis into tiny pieces for your white blood cells to carry away through your immune system. With time and continued laser sessions, your tattoo will fade enough for an artist to cover it up.

This is a great option for you because, generally speaking, we recommend you work with your tattoo artist to fade your tattoo to the point where you can then cover it up with whatever you want to cover it with. Getting your tattoo faded allows your artist more opportunity and canvas to create the best possible cover.

Can You Tattoo Over a Removed Tattoo?

In most cases, it typically takes 3 or 5 treatments to fade it to the point where you can do a cover-up. But, we always recommend working with a reputable tattoo artist to make sure it’s gotten to the point where it needs to be in order to do the artwork they had in mind.

How Soon Can You Get a Tattoo After Laser Removal?

Once you have completed the removal process, you have to wait at least 6 weeks before embarking on a tattoo in the same treated area. This is because you’ll want to make sure your skin is completely healed before you go get another tattoo. Allowing your body time between removal and the cover up ensures that your immune system has slowed down and the new tattoo will not be pulled out along with the old ink.

Many people cover their old work, why not give it the best possible outcome? Check out our Cover Up page to learn more from tattoo artist and clients who have had their own tattoos faded for new ink!
Book a Cover-up Consultation