Ways to Fade a Small Tattoo

Lexington Tattoo Removal • April 28, 2023

A small tattoo is one that can be covered by a Band-Aid and doesn't take up much of your skin. But that doesn’t mean that you have to live with a small tattoo you don’t want. At Lexington Tattoo Removal, we use the finest quality laser removal technology to remove a small tattoo completely so that you can cover or replace the old ink—but that’s not the only method to fade an old tattoo.

A man receiving tattoo removal services near Lexington, Kentucky (KY)

Whether you’re looking to fade a small tattoo because it will make it easier to cover up or because it doesn’t suit your lifestyle anymore, there are several ways to fade a small tattoo. Some are more effective than others.

Cover It Up with Fresh Ink

Cover-ups are a great way to hide a small tattoo. They can be done in several different ways and with different results, depending on the skill of the artist and what you're looking for. The most common type of cover-up is when an existing tattoo is covered by another tattoo that's larger than it is. This can be done with black ink or color, depending on what kind of look you want for your new piece of art.

Fading Tattoos with Questionable Topical Numbing Creams

There are many messy topical numbing creams that claim to fade tattoos, but not all of them work—and some of them can be quite dangerous. The instructions for using these creams sound pretty similar: apply a small amount of cream on your tattooed area and massage gently until it absorbs into your skin. They claim can use these products once or twice per day depending on how much time you have and how quickly you want your tattoo to fade away. The results will vary from person to person. Some people see results within weeks while others may need months or even years before their tattoos disappear completely! Some folks see permanent damage like hypopigmentation and scarring, so we do not suggest this as a safe option.

Painful Chemical Peels

A chemical peel is a procedure that involves applying a chemical solution to the skin, which causes the outer layers of skin to be removed and replaced with new, fresher cells. There are many kinds of peels, but they all work in basically the same way:

  • Superficial peels remove the top layer of dead skin cells
  • Medium-depth peels remove several layers from deeper down in your epidermis

Both types will help fade your tattoo by removing old pigment from its original location on top of fresh new tissue underneath it.

Laser Tattoo Removal

Laser tattoo removal, like the services we provide at Lexington Tattoo Removal, is a great option for those who want to fade their small tattoos. The process can take up to several sessions, but it's worth it! Laser tattoo removal is effective and has minimal downtime. For simple fading, you can take less treatments if you’re going for a cover-up, but if you’re looking to completely remove a tattoo, the results are long-lasting as well—you won't have any leftover ink when you're done with treatment!

Our expert team has a three-step process with a full consultation, a procedure plan (oftentimes, your first treatment begins immediately after consultation), and an aftercare plan). We are very highly trained in using a Quanta Q-Plus C EVO laser—one of the best in the business—with the use of a Zimmer Cryo Cooler to help cool and calm your skin and keep you more comfortable during the procedure.

Contact Us

No matter which method you choose to fade your tattoos, large or small, Lexington Tattoo Removal is here to help. You don’t have to rely on a cover-up, topical numbing creams, chemical peels, or hide behind high coverage foundations or bandages when you can be free of any unwanted tattoos after just a few procedures with our team in our offices in Lexington, Kentucky.

We use state-of-the-art laser technology to provide our patients with the best possible results. Contact us today to talk to a member of our staff. We also provide tattoo removal, laser hair removal, and other services like microblading removal and permanent makeup removal.

Lexington Tattoo Removal proudly serves Lexington, Kentucky and surrounding areas including Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; Huntington, West Virginia; and Nashville, Tennessee. We look forward to speaking with you!

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