3 Ways to Remove a Tattoo Without Surgery

tattoo removal

1. Tattoo Artist

Go back to your tattoo artist and have them cover up your tattoo with a new tattoo or… Your tattoo artist can tattoo (not inject) saline to fade away an old tattoo.

2. Makeup

You can Cover up your tattoo with liquid latex or makeup.

3. Fade

You can use products like Wrecking Balm or Tat B Gone that will fade or lighten up the tattoo.

You can buy the main tattoo fading ingredients (like the 1% hydroquinone) from your local drugstore for less than $20 instead of spending up to $200 for the popular Wrecking Balm or Tat B Gone fading creams but,

Using these products or going back to your tattoo artist very rarely gets rid of tattoos completely (unless you're having your OLD tattoo covered up with a new tattoo) so realistically,

Only Surgery Will Completely Remove a Tattoo

Getting a Tattoo: 8 Questions You Need to Ask

1. Why are you choosing this design?

tattoo design

If you have your eyes set on a design, you're going to want to ask yourself why you like it. Is there a meaning to the design? Do you think it's cool? When choosing a design, make sure it's not going to go out of style five years down the road.

A tattoo is a lot like a marriage, so it's best to find one that fits your life. When choosing a design, keep these pointers in mind as well:

2. What shop am I using?

There's probably a good chance that there are going to be a lot of tattoo shops within a few miles of your home. Before you set your eyes on one, there are a few things you should do ahead of time.

First off, it's best to get a referral from someone who has had a tattoo before. If you like the work they have had done on that person, then you may want to ask them where they got it.

Remember that when it comes to choosing a shop, reputation and cleanliness are important.

3. Is this shop clean?

Aside from a good artist, a clean and sterile environment is just as important. Never be afraid to ask the shop how often they are tested. A reputable shop will be more than happy to show you results of recent tests done by the state.

Here are some things to look out for:

4. What kind of experience do they have?

Since this ink is going to be on you for life, you don't want a design that looks like it was drawn by a five-year-old. Be sure to look into how long the artist has been working and also look at some of their previous work.

All reputable artists will have a binder of work that they have done in the past.

classic tattoo

5. Are you comfortable?

Most shops will be more than happy to offer a free consultation. During this consultation, you can come in, ask questions and discuss pricing. During this talk, try to trust your gut with the overall vibe.

If the artist is short with their answers, rude and doesn't seem like they care, then there's a good chance they will apply those same traits toward their work.

6. Are they licensed?

Just like being clean and sterile, a shop should be licensed. There are no exceptions to this rule. To see if the shop is licensed, you can check your local county's official website to search for their licensure.

7. Is there are a guarantee?

A good artist is going to back up their work with a guarantee. If the final tattoo isn't as planned, will they do a touch up for free? What happens if you're unhappy with the work? Again, a reputable artist will have no problem backing up their work.

8. How much will this cost?

Ah, this is the question that so many potential customers have -- the cost. The cost of a tattoo will vary on so many factors, such as the size of the tattoo, the experience and your geographical location.

During that initial consultation, just make sure you get the costs before proceeding. To play it safe, it never hurts to get it in writing.

Getting a tattoo is a lifetime commitment. By asking these questions, you're bound to find a tattoo you can enjoy for years to come.

Other Than a Tattoo,