How To Fade A Tattoo: Natural Remedies & Medical Treatments

Lighten that undesirable ink with these easy methods.

Written by Pahul Nanra, BA (English Hons)

Edited by Eshna Das, BA, MSc

Fact-checked by Manjari Uppal, MSc • Dec 20, 2023

How To Fade A Tattoo: Natural Remedies & Medical Treatments

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Tattoos are a beautiful way of expressing one’s beliefs and creativity. However, the end result may not meet your expectations and leave you with disappointment and regret. So, If you are wondering how to fade a tattoo, you have come to the right place. While complete tattoo removal may be painful and challenging, fading a tattoo is far more achievable. From tattoo fading creams to numerous professional treatments and natural remedies, we dive into the different ways to fade a tattoo in the article below. Scroll down to know more.

In This Article

How Long Does It Take For A Tattoo To Fade?

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It can take up to several months or years for a tattoo to fade naturally. But if you are opting for a professional treatment or any other fading technique, the results will depend on the method itself. For instance, laser treatment can provide visible results within 5 to 6 weeks, whereas natural remedies may take up to a few months to show results.

Keeping these points in mind, learn more about how to fade a tattoo in the section below.

How To Fade A Tattoo

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There are various tattoo fading methods you can opt for to gradually remove tattoos. If you wish to consult a professional tattoo artist and solely trust proper treatments, you can go for laser surgery or cryosurgery. You can even invest in tattoo removal ointments or try DIY remedies like lemon and hydrogen peroxide.

But before we delve further into how to fade a tattoo, you may be wondering whether color tattoos fade. The answer is yes. Color tattoos eventually fade with time. However, the results may vary depending on the ink’s quality and the individual’s skin type.

Quick Tip

Expose your tattoo to direct sunlight without sunscreen for some time every day to help fade it. However, avoid staying in the sunlight for too long to reduce the risk of sunburns.

Most of us will look for painless, natural, and affordable ways to fade our tattoos before opting for the expensive treatments. So, if you are one of them, scroll down to the next section to find out more.

Homemade Methods Of Fading Tattoos

Honey, Salt, And Yogurt

Applying a mixture of honey, salt, and yogurt may help fade a tattoo. Anecdotal evidence suggests that honey may have skin brightening properties that may aid in diminishing the tattoo’s appearance, while salt may help break down ink particles. Further, the lactic acid in yogurt may help moisturize and brighten the skin (1), (2).

Mix one teaspoon each of honey and yogurt with a pinch of salt. Gently scrub the mixture in circular motions on the inked area. Do this for a few months to see visible results.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Using hydrogen peroxide on the tattoo may help break down the tattoo ink into smaller pigments and get safely absorbed by the body. Take a clean towel or cotton swab, dab it in some hydrogen peroxide, and gently apply it to the tattoo. Allow it to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Follow the procedure for a few days for visible results.

However, exercise caution as improper use of hydrogen peroxide may result in skin damage, irritation, burns, and scarring. Hence, always do a patch test before use.

Lemon And Salt

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The high vitamin C content in lemon may help lighten the outer layer of the tattoo. However, it may not be able to penetrate the deeper layers of skin where the ink resides. Mixing it with salt may help gently exfoliate the skin to help diminish the tattoo’s appearance (3), (4).

Combine two teaspoons of lemon juice with one teaspoon of salt. Gently apply this mixture to the entire tattoo and leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing it off. Do this two times per day.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is often used in skin care products for its exfoliating properties. This active ingredient helps in removing dead skin cells and may also be used as a fading cream. Apply a little bit of cream with 2% to 5% of salicylic acid regularly to help peel the skin to fade the tattoo (5).

Quick Tip

Applying a little amount of baby oil to a tattoo regularly is claimed to gradually fade away the ink. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove the same. This oil is ideal for dry and sensitive skin types.

While you can try these natural remedies for tattoo lightening, you may also opt for professional tattoo removal services for effective and better results. Scroll down to the next section to know more.

Surgical Methods Of Fading Tattoos

Laser Surgery

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The procedure involves using light beams to effectively break down the tattoo pigments, allowing the body to eliminate them. The number of laser removal sessions depends on the ink quality, tattoo size, ink color, location, and skin type. It may require anywhere between 2 to 6 sessions to help fade the tattoo.

A blogger shared her experience of doing laser surgery for fading her tattoo in her blog. She said, “Weird things that I’ve really come to notice. There are some lines that have stayed dark-ish and then others that the line itself is still dark, but there are little clear spots where it’s broken up. Or there are areas that were so much lighter even before this treatment that I thought would disappear really quickly and haven’t (i).”

Surgical Excision

The procedure requires surgically cutting out the tattooed skin and stitching the wound. While the procedure is effective for smaller designs, it is not recommended for larger tattoos as it may cause scarring.

Intense Pulsed Light Method (IPL)

This procedure uses broad-spectrum light to remove the epidermis and break down the color pigments into smaller components, which are then absorbed by the body. Then, the affected area heals via skin regeneration. Multiple sessions may be required to achieve the desired results.

Cryosurgery

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While this procedure is used to treat warts and cancer, it has gained popularity over the years for fading tattoos effectively. It involves using liquid nitrogen to freeze the skin and then dermabrasion to remove the top skin layer and break down the tattoo pigments. However, this method may not be effective for green and yellow pigments.

Fading a tattoo is a major decision that requires careful consideration. While various DIY remedies can be explored, their results are not scientifically tested or guaranteed. Professional procedures like laser treatment and surgical excision offer effective results by working on the deeper layers of skin. Consult a dermatologist for a customized treatment plan for safe and effective tattoo fading. Do ensure that you follow the proper practices to prevent any adverse effects and achieve the desired outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does shaving over a tattoo make it fade?

No, shaving does not help fade a tattoo. It only removes the hair from the outer skin layer. However, ensure that you do not shave over a healing tattoo as it may increase the risk of bleeding and infection.

2. Does the sun fade tattoos?

Yes, prolonged exposure to the sun can break down the ink particles, which may help distort and blur the lines and colors of the tattoo and fade it out. It is important to remember that this may take months or even years to substantially fade the tattoo.

3. Does Vaseline fade tattoos?

No, anecdotal evidence suggests that Vaseline does not help fade the ink. Also, it is best to avoid using Vaseline on tattooed skin as it may block the skin pores and trap the bacteria in them, thus increasing the risk of infection.

4. Can apple cider vinegar remove a tattoo?

No, there is currently no scientific evidence that suggests apple cider vinegar can help in fading a tattoo.

5. What tattoo color fades the fastest?

Red, pink, orange, white, and yellow inks tend to fade faster due to their composition and response to sunlight as compared to darker colors such as gray, dark blue, and black.

6. Will shea butter fade tattoos?

No, shea butter does not help fade tattoos. However, it is used in tattoo aftercare to moisturize the skin and protect it from the sun due to its emollient and sun-protecting properties (6).

Key Takeaways

Natural remedies such as lemon juice and salt may take weeks or months to help fade a tattoo.
Creams formulated with salicylic acid may help diminish the appearance of tattoos.
Laser surgery and excess sun exposure can also help in gradually fading a tattoo.

Investing in professional tattoo fading services may burn a hole in your pocket. Check out this video for a simple and natural method that may help fade a tattoo at home.

Personal Experience: Source

(i). My Tattoo Removal Story
https://solongtattoo.wordpress.com/

Sources

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