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Combining Laser Tattoo Removal with a Tattoo Cover-Up

Posted by Thomas Barrows, MD on 1/17/2012 to Laser Tattoo Removal

Tattoo Removal and Cover-Up Tattooing

Covering up an old tattoo with a new tattoo is definitely an art form. Combining existing elements of the original tattoo into a new design can be difficult, particularly if the original design has a high density of dark-colored ink or if empty space is required.

Northeast Laser Tattoo Removal

Consider the tattoo in the adjacent photo; the subject started with the image of the warrior on horseback, but then subsequently applied a large Polynesian tattoo throughout much of the rest of his arm. Obviously a cover-up would be unable to correct the tattoo to the style of the Polynesian tattoo.

About Tattooing

Tattooing drives particles of tattoo ink into the dermal layers of the skin. Immediately after tattooing, some ink is lost to oozing from the tattoo punctures, and additional tattoo ink is swept away by the lymphatics. However, much of the tattoo ink becomes ingested into cells that remain stationary in the skin for decades. Once the tattoo ink is entrapped in these cells, it is there to stay.

About Laser Tattoo Removal

Tattoo removal lasers selectively target the ink within the dermis. The laser delivers a very short pulse of high intensity resulting in a shock wave that breaks apart the tattoo particles and liberates them from the intracellular space back to the extracellular space. Once free, the lymphatics can again have an opportunity to sweep away this free tattoo ink. Obviously some of this ink can again become entrapped into cells, and thus the multiple treatments are usually required to fade or removal the tattoo.

More Examples of Laser Tattoo Removal and Cover-Up Work

For more information on laser tattoo removal as well as cover-up work, please visit Northeast Laser Tattoo Removal.