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Possible to Lighten a New Tattoo?

I had a tattoo on my right arm several weeks ago and it was a solid black. Now I'm trying to lighten it up. Can any one tell me what should I do? Thanks.

Asked 27 months ago by Elias in Denver,CO
Sort 3 expert answers by:
+1

Lightening a new tattoo

Often, new tattoos respond very well to laser treatment. Typically laser treatment consists of many, ten or more treatments done at least once per month. Newer tattoos might not need as many treatments as mature tattoos because the older tattoo has pigment that has been surrounded by the host's collagen in the dermis of the skin. The new tattoo's pigment exists freely within the dermis and may be more susceptible to fragmentation by the laser and the host's immune system can engulf the... more
Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Lightening a tattoo

You are in luck. A fresh tattoo is the easiest to lighten requiring the fewest treatments especially if black ink is used. I would recommend finding someone with a q-switched tattoo removal laser and they can do one or two treatments and it will be much lighter. I hope this information helps.
Scott Trimas, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Can a new Tattoo be lightened?

First you must let the skin heal from the tattoo roughly 2-3 weeks. After this the simple options include injecting the tattoo with some sterile saline solution which will have a slight lightening effect, or several treatments with a Q switched laser. Hope this was helpful. Dr D.
Louis M. DeJoseph, MD
Atlanta Facial Plastic Surgeon
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