The scars and smudges left by tattoos form when the tattoo artist pushes the needle too deep or at the wrong angle. As a result, the ink penetrates too much into the skin, leaving an unwanted halo in the area; a scar can be added to this inconvenience, because the skin was damaged with the needle. To be able to remove these blemishes, you can try to hide them, remove the tattoo completely or wait for the scar to heal over time. To avoid this unpleasant inconvenience, you should always turn to an experienced body artist, do not try to get a tattoo yourself at home and avoid getting tattooed on parts of the body where the skin is too thin.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Hiding Scars and Blemishes
Step 1. Add a background to the tattoo
Ask an experienced tattoo artist to add some shading to the design to cover up the scars and halos. Usually, these imperfections are visible above all on the outermost edges; to cover them, you can enlarge the tattoo or add another design. Alternatively, you can have some background shading applied and hide the blemish in this way; choose a color that matches that of the design.
Step 2. Do not try to hide the defect with a skin tint
Some body artists suggest this method of covering up scars and blemishes left by a badly done tattoo, but don't heed this advice; It is extremely difficult to find a color that perfectly matches your skin tone and may actually make the problem worse.
Step 3. Cover blemishes with cosmetics
First, apply the primer all over the area you want to hide; then, use a make-up brush to create a base with a foundation that matches the skin tone. Finally, dab some eyeshadow all over the area to be treated. Choose a darker color, such as orange or pink (depending on your skin tone); the darker tint is used to cover all the ink.
- Afterward, spray some hairspray on the skin to set the makeup.
- When the hairspray is dry, dab a concealer that matches your complexion to blend it into the surrounding skin.
Step 4. Wait for the blemish to subside
In some cases, smudges from poorly made tattoos disappear spontaneously over time. Wait a year to see if halos and scars are still visible; for example, smudges can also scatter over an area large enough to become invisible.
Under certain circumstances, people can confuse a bruise with a smear; if this is your case, the bruise will disappear and the tattoo will look perfect
Method 2 of 4: Promote Tattoo Healing
Step 1. Do not expose yourself to direct sunlight
If you have a scar on your tattoo, you shouldn't expose your skin to sunlight, as they can darken the scar tissue or make it red, making it more visible. Therefore, you should always apply sunscreen to damaged skin before sun exposure; use a product with an SPF of at least 30 and reapply it often throughout the day.
Step 2. Smear aloe vera on the scar
Aloe is able to make scars less visible by moisturizing the epidermis. This gel has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that stimulate skin healing and reduce scars; apply it directly to the affected area 2 or 3 times a day.
Step 3. Hydrate the epidermis
By moisturizing the skin you do not eliminate scars, but you help to even out the scar tissue with the surrounding skin; a moisturizer nourishes the suffering area and reduces the appearance of blemishes.
Method 3 of 4: Remove an Imperfect Tattoo
Step 1. Try laser removal
This technique uses heat to break down the ink particles and thus eliminate the drawing. The process might seem simple, but it's actually an expensive method that takes several sessions to complete.
- Laser removal can cost between 60 and 250 euros per session, depending on the size of the design.
- Some tattoos can take 5 to 20 sessions to get rid of completely.
Step 2. Remove the tattoo with dermabrasion or dermaplaning
Before proceeding, doctors usually perform local anesthesia or numb the skin with a spray anesthetic. During dermabrasion the doctor "smoothes" the tattoo to expose the underlying skin; However, this method is not as effective as dermaplaning, during which the doctor uses a kind of scraper to "plane" the skin until it reaches a new layer without traces of ink. The ink of most tattoos is injected quite deeply, so these procedures often leave permanent scars.
You will have to wait a few weeks for the redness, swelling and pain to go away
Step 3. Consider surgical excision
Some small tattoos can be removed with this procedure: the drawn skin is cut and the edges of the wound are stitched up. However, larger tattoos require a skin transplant to replace the one that is removed. In this case, it is a more invasive method and with some minor side effects, such as:
- Infection;
- Hyperpigmentation;
- Incomplete removal of the drawing;
- Scar.
Method 4 of 4: Preventing Scars and Blemishes
Step 1. Contact an experienced and qualified body artist
The best way to avoid a flawed tattoo and ugly scars is to hire a competent professional. Make sure you do all the necessary research before getting a tattoo; check the tattoo artist's portfolio or ask your friends to recommend a referenced professional.
Step 2. Do not get the tattoo on a part of the body where the skin is very thin
Even the most experienced professionals can perform inaccurate work when drawing on too thin a layer of epidermis. If you are concerned that the tattoo may leave smudges or scars, do not do it on the ankles or chest; in these points the skin is too close to the bone and there is a greater chance that ink halos will remain.
Step 3. Do not stretch, pull or twist the skin after the tattoo
Smudging can also get worse if you tease, twist, or pull the design immediately after the procedure; for example, you may unintentionally spread the ink into other layers of skin where it shouldn't be. Avoid "torturing" the skin until the tattoo is completely healed.
