Cosmetic tattooing, also known as permanent makeup, has become super popular for enhancing eyebrows, lips and eyeliner tattoos. But not all procedures heal as expected. If you’ve had a cosmetic tattoo that healed poorly—whether it’s fading, uneven pigmentation, pigment loss or an undesired shape—you may be wondering if you can get a new cosmetic tattoo over the old one.
Poorly Healed Cosmetic Tattoos
Poor healing can be due to:
- Incorrect technique by the artist
- Incompatible pigment that doesn’t suit your skin type or skin undertones
- Bad aftercare that leads to scarring, premature fading or uneven healing
- Skin conditions like oily skin or dry skin that affects colour retention and healing time
- Use of skin care products like Retin-A skin creams that can accelerate pigment fading
- Not following aftercare instructions like avoiding direct sunlight and excessive sweating
Can You Tattoo Over a Badly Healed Cosmetic Tattoo?
Yes, in most cases you can have a new cosmetic tattoo applied over an old one, but several factors will determine the best approach:
1. Assess the Existing Tattoo
A skilled cosmetic tattoo artist will first assess your previous tattoo to see:
- How deep the old pigment is
- Any scarring or uneven texture
- How much the tattoo has faded
- If there are unwanted tattoos or areas that need colour correction
2. Fading and Removal Options
If your old tattoo is still too dark, trying to apply new pigment over it might not give the best results. In this case, options like laser tattoo removal, saline removal or lightening treatments may be recommended before correction. These options will remove excess pigment and allow for better pigment retention in the new tattoo.
3. Choosing the Right Technique
Depending on the condition of your old tattoo, your artist may suggest:
- Colour correction to remove unwanted hues
- Pixel-blading or machine shading for a more natural look
- Combination techniques to redefine shape and symmetry, especially for eyebrow tattooing
- Powder Brow or Feather Touch Brows for natural brows or tattooed brows
- Layering techniques to improve colour maintenance and true colour appearance
- Brow microblading may be a great option if you want a softer, hair-stroke effect when correcting an old eyebrow tattoo.
Factors to Consider
- Skin health: If there’s a lot of scarring, a new tattoo won’t hold pigment well.
- Time since last tattoo: It’s best to wait at least 6-12 months before correcting.
- Artist: Make sure you work with an experienced professional who specialises in cosmetic tattoo corrections.
- Aftercare: Use an aftercare cream, aftercare ointment and follow aftercare instructions to prevent infection and healing.
When Is Removal a Better Option?
If your old tattoo is very saturated, uneven or in the wrong place removal before re-tattooing may be the way to go. Laser removal, especially with an experienced tattoo removal doctor, can be used to fade pigmented tattoos before a new tattoo appointment.
Healing Process and Aftercare
The healing process for a corrected cosmetic tattoo is similar to an initial procedure:
- Days post treatment: Some swelling or bruising may occur.
- Hours post procedure: Use ice packs and clean tissue to reduce swelling.
- Few days post treatment: Scabbing may form as part of the natural fading process.
- Weeks of healing (4-8 weeks): Skin cells regenerate and the tattoo colour stabilizes.
- 6-8 weeks post-treatment: A touch-up appointment or additional touch-up tattoo may be needed to refine colour retention.
- Annual touch-ups: Recommended to maintain the appearance of hair strokes, lip colour and eyeliner tattoo sharpness.
Final Thoughts
If your cosmetic tattoo healed poorly, you’re not stuck with it forever. Consult an experienced cosmetic tattoo artist to determine if a cover-up or removal is the best solution for you.
By choosing a skilled professional, following aftercare and using the right aftercare pack or aftercare lotion, you can get the best healing time and long lasting results. Remember a brow tattoo appointment, lip tattooing and other cosmetic tattoo procedures require proper care to avoid complications like risk of infection, cold sores or blood-thinning medication interactions.
Whether you need a brow tattoo correction, lip tattoo correction or eyeliner tattoo touch-up visit, understanding the treatment and following the aftercare will help you get the best outcome. A well done cosmetic eyebrow tattoo can restore confidence and enhance natural beauty, so choose a skilled professional for your next cosmetic tattoo session.
FAQs
How long should I wait before getting a cosmetic tattoo correction?
Wait at least 6-12 months after your initial procedure for full healing and pigment fading before correcting.Yes, but a colour correction may be needed first to remove any unwanted colours before applying new pigment.
Is laser tattoo removal necessary before getting a cosmetic tattoo correction?
Not always. If the previous tattoo has faded a lot, a correction may be possible without removal. But if the pigment is too dark, laser removal or saline removal may be needed first.
Do I need a touch-up appointment after a cosmetic tattoo correction?
Yes, a touch-up appointment is usually needed 6-8 weeks post-treatment to refine the shape and colour.
Is the healing process different for a corrective cosmetic tattoo compared to an initial procedure?
The healing process is similar but may take a bit longer due to any underlying scarring or previous pigment layers. Follow aftercare instructions closely to get the best results.